At UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and optimized. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Experience Analytics and Reporting (EAR) team is seeking an analytically driven Data Scientist to support Advocate & Desktop AI Augmentation as part of the enterprise Contact Center Transformation effort. This role is ideal for a hands-on data scientist who thrives in fast-paced, high-stakes environments and is passionate about improving the advocate and member experience through AI. The key focus of the role is to support reporting, analytics, and performance measurement for the workstream's suite of advocate-facing AI products, monitor and improve model performance, and identify opportunities to increase advocate efficiency and operational impact across UHC and Optum.
- AI Reporting & Analytics
- Build and maintain performance, adoption, and impact reporting for advocate-facing AI products, including Automated Call Intent Labels, Auto Call Documentation (ACD), Context Summaries, Advocate Assist, Automated Form Filling, and AHT Breakout AI
- Develop measurement approaches and KPIs that quantify advocate productivity, operational efficiency, and member experience impact
- Deliver insights and root-cause analysis when AI tools underperform or coverage gaps emerge
- Work across multiple data pipelines and cloud stacks (Azure and Google Cloud) to ensure data and pipeline integrity
- Model Support & Optimization
- Provide ongoing algorithm maintenance and performance monitoring for the workstream's AI models
- Identify opportunities to improve model accuracy, coverage, adoption, and business impact
- Support model governance activities, including AI Review Board (AIRB) preparation, submission, and recurring approvals
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with the Senior Manager, Data Science, workstream owners, and solution development teams to prioritize enhancements and measure outcomes
- Serve as a reporting and analytics resource for stakeholders
- Translate technical findings into clear, actionable information for business and operations partners
- Problem Solving & Issue Resolution
- Identify emerging risks, model degradation, or pipeline gaps and escalate or resolve proactively
- Use data and model-level insights to diagnose root causes and recommend improvements
- Support scalable improvements that advance model performance and operational consistency
- Communication & Reporting
- Prepare dashboards, status reports, and summaries on model performance, adoption, and realized value
- Ensure stakeholders are continuously informed on performance, risks, and opportunities
The Data Scientist partners closely with the Senior Manager, Data Science, workstream owners, solution developers, operations, and technology groups to translate AI capabilities into measurable operational and member-experience outcomes.
As a Data Scientist, you will own the reporting and analytics behind a growing portfolio of advocate-facing AI products, leveraging model-level fluency to identify root causes, improve existing models, and support the scaling of high-value solutions. Your work will directly influence advocate productivity, contact handling efficiency, and consumer experience across UHC and Optum.
The ideal candidate excels in managing ambiguity, communicates with clarity, and builds solid partnerships across functions. A growth mindset, technical depth, and the ability to translate complex analytics into business value are essential.
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:
- Ensures all in-scope AI products and data sources are identified and engaged
- Ensures all model, data, and pipeline dependencies/linkages are identified
- Builds and maintains reporting, dashboards, and measurement for advocate-facing AI tools
- Provides ongoing algorithm maintenance, performance monitoring, and AIRB submissions
- Provides regular performance, adoption, and value-realization communications to stakeholders
- Conducts opportunity analysis to support model and process improvements
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:
- 2+ years of experience using data and models to solve business problems
- 2+ years of experience conducting analytic projects including validating data, interpreting results of analysis, identifying variances / trends / root cause, presenting insights and providing solutions
- Experience working in collaborative roles within a matrixed environment
- Technical fluency across data pipelines, model performance measurement, and BI/reporting tools
- Demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and ability to work with changing direction and priorities
Preferred Qualifications:
- 2+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, or applied machine learning
- 2+ years of experience building reporting, dashboards, or performance measurement for analytics or AI solutions
- 1+ years of experience with AI/ML solutions in a production or operational environment
- Understanding of contact center operations and advocate-facing AI tooling
*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 $72,800 - $130,000 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 begi nning employment.
Skills Required
- 2+ years of experience using data and models to solve business problems
- 2+ years of experience conducting analytic projects, including data validation, analysis interpretation, trend and root-cause identification, presenting insights, and providing solutions
- Experience working collaboratively in a matrixed environment
- Technical fluency across data pipelines, model performance measurement, and BI/reporting tools
- Curiosity, adaptability, and ability to work with changing direction and priorities
- 2+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, or applied machine learning
- 2+ years of experience building reporting, dashboards, or performance measurement for analytics or AI solutions
- 1+ year of experience with AI/ML solutions in a production or operational environment
- Understanding of contact center operations and advocate-facing AI tooling
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO is generally described as decent or good, and many note it as a strong part of the package. Actual ability to take time off can depend on workload and team coverage.
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Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with employer match and access to an employee stock purchase plan, which are highlighted as meaningful components of total rewards. These programs are consistently referenced among core benefits.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental and caregiver leave, along with adoption assistance, are publicly highlighted and viewed as notable elements of the package. Availability can be role-specific, but these supports contribute to overall breadth where offered.
Optum Insights
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.
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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.