The Role
Develop, deploy, and maintain predictive and forecasting models to optimize workforce capacity, demand planning, attrition prediction, and operations. Build automated analytics, dashboards, and scenario/simulation models using Python, SQL, and Power BI; evaluate and improve model performance; collaborate with stakeholders and mentor junior analysts to drive AI and automation initiatives that deliver measurable business impact.
Summary Generated by Built In
Requisition Number: 2372157
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 to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
We are seeking a highly analytical and results-oriented Data Scientist to develop predictive models, optimize business operations, and drive data-driven decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate combines strong statistical and machine learning expertise with practical business acumen and the ability to translate complex analytical insights into measurable business outcomes.
The role will focus on forecasting, predictive analytics, workforce optimization, automation, and AI-driven business solutions while collaborating closely with business stakeholders, operations teams, and leadership.
Primary Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Business & Functional Skills
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.
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 to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
We are seeking a highly analytical and results-oriented Data Scientist to develop predictive models, optimize business operations, and drive data-driven decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate combines strong statistical and machine learning expertise with practical business acumen and the ability to translate complex analytical insights into measurable business outcomes.
The role will focus on forecasting, predictive analytics, workforce optimization, automation, and AI-driven business solutions while collaborating closely with business stakeholders, operations teams, and leadership.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develop and deploy predictive models for forecasting, demand planning, attrition prediction, capacity planning, and operational optimization
- Design, build, and maintain machine learning solutions using Python and SQL
- Analyze large structured and unstructured datasets to identify trends, risks, and business opportunities
- Create forecasting models with high accuracy using statistical and machine learning techniques
- Build automated analytics solutions and dashboards using Power BI and other visualization tools
- Develop scenario planning and simulation models to support strategic business decisions
- Collaborate with business leaders to understand requirements and convert them into statistical analytical solutions
- Evaluate model performance, conduct feature engineering, and continuously improve prediction accuracy
- Present insights, recommendations, and model outcomes to senior stakeholders
- Drive AI and automation initiatives to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual effort
- Mentor junior analysts and promote data-driven decision-making across teams
- Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so
Required Qualifications:
- Post-Graduate with Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative discipline
- 3+ years of experience in analytics, forecasting, data science, workforce analytics, or operations research
- Experience delivering measurable business impact through predictive analytics and automation
- Experience with Machine Learning algorithms such as:
- Random Forest
- Decision Trees
- Gradient Boosting
- Regression Models
- Classification Models
- Clustering Techniques
- Experience or knowledge in the following:
- Statistical Analysis and Predictive Modeling
- Time Series Forecasting and Demand Forecasting
- Data Visualization using Power BI
- Advanced Excel and analytical modeling
- Data Cleaning, Feature Engineering, and Model Validation
- Understanding of AI-driven automation solutions
- Knowledge of SQL for data extraction, transformation, and analysis
- Proven solid communication skills with the ability to explain complex analytical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
Preferred Qualifications:
- Technical Skills:
- Scikit-Learn
- Pandas
- NumPy
- XGBoost
- Forecasting Libraries
- Azure/AWS/GCP Analytics Services
- MLOps and Model Deployment
- Generative AI applications for enterprise analytics
Business & Functional Skills
- Workforce Management Analytics
- Capacity Planning
- Resource Optimization
- Scenario Planning
- Business Performance Analytics
- KPI Design and Monitoring
- Process Improvement
- Stakeholder Management
- Business Problem Solving
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.
Skills Required
- Post-Graduate degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative discipline
- 3+ years experience in analytics, forecasting, data science, workforce analytics, or operations research
- Proven ability to deliver measurable business impact through predictive analytics and automation
- Experience with machine learning algorithms: Random Forest, Decision Trees, Gradient Boosting, Regression, Classification, Clustering
- Statistical analysis and predictive modeling
- Time series forecasting and demand forecasting
- Data visualization using Power BI
- Advanced Excel and analytical modeling
- Data cleaning, feature engineering, and model validation
- Understanding of AI-driven automation solutions
- Knowledge of SQL for data extraction, transformation, and analysis
- Proven solid communication skills to explain complex analytical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
- Workforce management analytics and capacity planning
- Resource optimization, scenario planning, and business performance analytics
- KPI design and monitoring, process improvement, stakeholder management, and business problem solving
- Scikit-Learn (preferred)
- Pandas (preferred)
- NumPy (preferred)
- XGBoost (preferred)
- Forecasting libraries (preferred)
- Azure/AWS/GCP analytics services (preferred)
- MLOps and model deployment (preferred)
- Generative AI applications for enterprise analytics (preferred)
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO accrues each pay period with eight paid U.S. holidays plus a floating holiday, and generous time away is consistently emphasized. This breadth supports planned and unplanned time off beyond standard vacation days.
-
Parental & Family Support — Six weeks of paid parental leave, up to two weeks of paid caregiver leave, Bright Horizons back‑up care, and adoption assistance signal strong family-oriented support. EAP access with counseling sessions further extends help to employees and their households.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Company‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, Calm app membership, tuition reimbursement, commuter and FSA accounts, and broad employee discounts expand everyday wellbeing resources. Free or low‑cost virtual visits complement these lifestyle supports.
Optum Insights
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, 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 to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. At Optum, we support your well-being with an understanding team, extensive benefits and rewarding opportunities. By joining us, you’ll have the resources to drive system transformation while we help you take care of your future. We recognize the power of connection to drive change, improve efficiency and make a difference in health care. Join a team where your skills and ideas can make an impact and where collaboration is key to creating technology that produces healthier outcomes.
Gallery
Optum Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Optum has three workplace models that balance the needs of the business and the responsibilities of each role. These models, core on‑site (5 days/week), hybrid (4 days/week) and telecommute or fully remote, vary by country, role and location.
Typical time on-site:
Not Specified
