Optum

Optum Tech is a global leader in health care innovation. Our teams develop cutting-edge solutions that help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. From advanced data analytics and AI to cybersecurity, we use innovative approaches to solve some of health care's most complex challenges. Your contributions here have the potential to change lives. Ready to build the next breakthrough? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Director, AI Strategy & Transformation will partner closely with senior leaders across business and technology to identify high-impact AI opportunities and lead key strategic initiatives that define and operationalize how AI is applied across the enterprise to improve care delivery and health outcomes, enhance member and provider experiences, and increase operational efficiency.

In this role, you will translate emerging technologies and market trends into actionable strategies, support investment decisions, and contribute to governance and prioritization of the enterprise AI portfolio to ensure alignment and measurable impact. You will also help define how AI capabilities are deployed and scaled across the enterprise.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Enterprise AI Strategy & Initiatives
• Partner with senior business and technology leaders to shape UHG's enterprise AI strategy and identify AI-enabled opportunities across business lines
• Identify, prioritize, and develop business cases for high-value AI opportunities across growth, operations, and experience
• Lead strategic initiatives to translate AI strategies into structured initiatives, pilots, and scalable programs
• Shape and communicate UHG's enterprise AI narrative for senior executives and external stakeholders, including contributions to Board materials
• AI Portfolio Management & Operating Model
• Define and evolve enterprise AI operating models and governance, including decision rights, ways of working, and approaches to scaling AI capabilities
• Manage the AI portfolio as an integrated enterprise transformation effort, aligning initiatives across business, operations, and technology while driving prioritization and clarity of ownership across competing opportunities
• Provide clear visibility into enterprise AI priorities, progress, and risks through executive-level reporting, including tracking key milestones and value realization across initiatives
• Enable the scaling of AI use cases from pilot to enterprise adoption, ensuring solutions are embedded into business workflows and deliver measurable impact.
• Strategic Partnerships & Market Intelligence
• Engage with startups, venture capital partners, and ecosystem players to stay current on emerging technologies and translate insights into clear recommendations for enterprise priorities
• Support the development of partnerships and select strategic investments with technology providers, startups, and external partners to accelerate AI
  

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

• 8+ years of progressive experience in enterprise business strategy, including leadership roles within top tier management consulting, investment banking, or corporate strategy functions supporting large, matrixed organizations
• 5+ years of experience in elite management consulting environments (e.g., McKinsey, Bain, BCG, or equivalent), with demonstrated progression in responsibility and client impact
• 4+ years of workstream leadership experience, including directing multi disciplinary teams, coaching high performing talent, and influencing outcomes across functions without formal authority.
• 4+ years leading highly complex, cross enterprise initiatives within Fortune 100 organizations, accountable for defining strategy, driving execution, and delivering measurable business outcomes (e.g., corporate/growth strategy, business model innovation, multi million dollar value creation, operating model transformation, or enterprise cost reduction)
• 4+ years of direct engagement and presentation experience with Executive Leadership (VP, SVP, C suite), including shaping decision ready materials and influencing strategic direction
• 3+ years of healthcare industry experience with deep exposure to payer and/or provider strategy, economics, and operations
• Solid working knowledge of AI, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies, with experience evaluating opportunities, defining use cases, and advising leaders on strategic adoption and value realization
• Demonstrated track record translating ambiguous, systemic business challenges into enterprise level strategies, structured analyses, and scalable initiatives across business, data, and technology organizations
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA and/or other advanced degrees (e.g., MD, PhD, JD, Master's)
• Experience working with startups, VC firms, or external partners to source and scale innovation
• Advanced executive communication skills, including synthesizing complex insights into concise, compelling narratives that drive alignment, commitment, and investment decisions
• Proven exceptional emotional intelligence, stakeholder management, and executive presence, with proven ability to build trust, manage tension, and align senior leaders across competing priorities
• 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 $134,600 to $230,800 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 make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is 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 is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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