Chief Data Officer

Requisition Number: 2372581
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 Chief Data Officer (CDO) is responsible for setting and executing UnitedHealth Group's enterprise data strategy to improve data reliability, accessibility, and business value across the organization.
This role defines how data is governed, managed, and used to enable enterprise operations, analytics, and AI at scale. The CDO will reorient the enterprise toward data readiness as a foundational requirement for AI and operational execution, ensuring data is reliable, accessible, and fit for high-value use cases.
Operating within a federated model, the CDO establishes enterprise standards, shared capabilities, and decision frameworks while partnering with business and technology leaders to drive adoption and measurable outcomes.
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:
1. Enterprise Data Strategy & Operating Model

• Define and lead the enterprise data strategy aligned to business priorities, operational needs, and AI enablement
• Establish enterprise expectations for data readiness to support advanced analytics, AI, and decisioning
• Establish and enforce enterprise data standards, governance policies, and clear decision rights across a federated environment
• Define the enterprise data operating model, clarifying roles, accountability, and ownership across central and business teams
• Partner with CIOs, business leaders, and technology teams to align priorities and drive execution
• Lead enterprise investment priorities across data platforms, governance, and core data capabilities

2. Data Governance, Trust & Responsible AI

• Establish enterprise-wide governance frameworks covering data quality, metadata, lineage, interoperability, and access
• Define and enforce expectations for data stewardship, security, and compliance, with clear enterprise guardrails in a federated model
• Adhere to standards for responsible AI, including transparency, accountability, model oversight, and risk management
• Partner with legal, compliance, risk, and security teams to ensure adherence to regulatory and policy requirements

3. Platforms & Enterprise Data Capabilities

• Define the enterprise data platform strategy to support scalable, reusable, and timely access to data across analytics, AI, and operations
• Set direction for enterprise data architecture and core data management capabilities (data quality, metadata, master data, lineage, lifecycle management, and access)
• Enable data-as-a-product capabilities, ensuring data is discoverable, reusable, and aligned to business use cases
• Define shared data services that enable consistent data management across business units
• Ensure enterprise data platforms are secure, resilient, and aligned with business and regulatory needs

4. Business Value & Transformation

• Translate data strategy into measurable business impact, including improved decision-making, operational efficiency, and customer outcomes
• Increase adoption of trusted data assets and reusable enterprise capabilities
• Identify and prioritize high-value opportunities where data and AI can drive transformation
• Set the standand and support the shift from reporting-centric data usage toward AI-enabled data insights, and Gen-Bi capabilities
• Set standards and prepare data assets for agent usage as we pivot to AI-native operating models, including semantic layer, knowledge graphs, RAG, etc.
• Define and track KPIs that demonstrate the impact and effectiveness of enterprise data investments

5. Executive Engagement & External Leadership

• Advise executive leadership on data, AI, governance, and enterprise priorities through clear, actionable recommendations
• Lead enterprise forums and discussions related to data strategy, risk, and investment decisions
• Represent UnitedHealth Group in industry organizations, partnerships, and external forums

6. Organizational Leadership

• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary enterprise data organization spanning governance, architecture, engineering, and data capabilities
• Define organizational structure, talent strategy, and operating discipline aligned to enterprise priorities
• Build leadership capability and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Ensure effective coordination between the central Data Office and federated business teams

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:

• 15+ years of leadership experience in data, analytics, governance, and/or technology/AI
• Proven experience leading enterprise data strategy and transformation in a large, complex, global, matrixed organization
• Demonstrated success operating in federated models with clear governance and decision frameworks
• Deep expertise in data governance, data management, and enterprise data platforms
• Direct experience successfully enabling analytics and AI through enterprise data capabilities
• Depth of knowledge of regulatory, privacy, and compliance requirements
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and deliver measurable business impact
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and change management skills

*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 $225,000-$375,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
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.