linical Program Analyst, Medication Star Clinical Program

Requisition number: 2390697

Job category: Pharmacy

Primary location: Schaumburg, Illinois

Date posted: 11/05/2026

Overtime status: Exempt

Travel: No

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Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale.

Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As a Clinical Program Analyst, Pharmacist, you will use data insights to improve, enhance, and create strategies and roadmaps for clinical pharmacy programs. This is your opportunity to join a pharmacy team with a focus on clinical strategy, business impact, and cross-functional collaboration. You will find an incredible team culture that provides opportunities to learn and evolve every day.

In this role you will provide data-driven insights aggregated into clinical recommendations driving incremental improvement of Medicare Star clinical programs. You will be empowered to do your best to develop the strategy and vision for product roadmaps, establish collaborative relationships with external and internal stakeholders, gather accurate requirements and evaluate product performance to enhance our mission of helping people live healthier lives.

As a part of the Clinical Programs team, the Clinical Program Analyst Pharmacist is responsible for strategy, business case presentation, design, development, and launch of strategies, initiatives, program enhancements, and / or market opportunities that cut across all channels that OptumRx serves. Role will include cross-collaboration with a large matrixed environment, requiring developing rapport, relationships and trust. Stars program ensures compliance with CMS guidance of programs and satisfaction of clients warranting movement of the needle in terms of Stars Rating Elevation.

Given time - sensitive issues required by CMS and other regulatory bodies, there may be times when extended work hours are required to ensure deliverables are met in a timely manner.

This position is remote.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely \* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities include both pharmacy (15%) and program data analysis and Strategy Development (85%)

Pharmacy:

Serve as a clinical subject matter expert (SME) for, Part D Stars Measures impacting the program, and related CMS requirements

Clinical analysis of outcomes data for yearly reporting and improvement opportunities

Present clinical program findings to clients and leadership stakeholders

Oversee pharmacy projects from inception to completion

Research clinical program qualification and outcomes criteria

Assess and interpret customer needs and requirements

Identify solutions to non-standard requests and problems

Work with other pharmacists and internal staff to create dedicated strategy tailored to client needs

Program Analysis and Strategy:

Ability to interpret competitive intelligence, industry and market trends, and customer feedback and devise strategies and plans for product development opportunities

Adept at developing sound development business cases and cost / benefit analyses to support product development efforts

Ability to translate ideas into strategies, define plan for those strategies, and work cross-functionally to launch and execute on product development plans - with defined roadmap with timelines

Work directly across many departments and cross functional teams to design, develop and drive successful deployment of new and enhanced programs and services

Support defining business-level requirements for enhancements and net-new capabilities

Support the development of market and sales strategies and value proposition

Navigate and influence multiple cross - functional teams in a complex, matrixed work environment, which may require working across Optum and UHG business units

Adapt departmental plans and priorities to address business and operational challenges

Analyze data and prepare management summaries related to work stream results, performance management, results, audit results, CMS reporting, and client reporting

Support client-specific strategies, and project plans for metric improvement.

Lead client interactions, including presenting program performance, strategy, and recommendations

Drive program performance against key metrics (e.g., PDC improvement, Star Ratings) and identify opportunities for continuous improvement

Manage timelines, deliverables, and dependencies to support CMS submission requirements and client commitments

Develop and present executive-level business cases, including PowerPoint presentations and supporting analyses, to senior leadership and clients

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

PharmD or bachelor's degree in pharmacy

Current and unrestricted pharmacist licensure

3+ years of experience working as a clinical pharmacist

3+ years of Managed Care experience AND Clinical Program Development/Clinical Program Strategy experience

Program Strategy Management

Critical thinking expertise

Ability to navigate Outlook and conduct Internet searches

Ability to navigate and use for analysis: Microsoft Excel proficiently, Power Query, Power BI, and other MS Office tools with Windows based environment

Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data to develop business strategies and recommendations

Adept at analysis of data and storytelling

Preferred Qualifications:

Master of Business or other advanced healthcare or business degree

Experience with Medicare Star Clinical Programs

Experience conducting competitive market intelligence analysis

Experience presenting to senior leadership, clients, or external stakeholders

Experience with CMS Stars measures and performance strategy

PBM experience

Pharmacy residency experience

Medicare Part D experience

\*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $91,700 - $163,700 annually based on full-time employment.

We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.