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.
Transforming health care for everyone takes a huge effort. But we never said major impact was easy. At UnitedHealthcare, We are working to create a system that is connected, aligned and more affordable for all involved. One that delivers high quality care, responsive to the needs of each person and the communities in which they live. And as part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, we have the support and resources of a Fortune 6 industry leader to do so. As a Director of Strategic Initiatives, you'll lead mission critical initiatives that drive the development of national policy for a significant population. You'll develop competitive products that deliver more value and improved outcomes and will help transform the health care industry.
The OHS Business Operations Associate Director will a focus on management of shared service partners and cost management. This role is responsible for building and maintaining visibility into performance and cost metrics, supporting forecasting and cost management processes, and identifying insights to improve efficiency and outcomes. The individual works closely with OHS executive leadership and cross-functional partners to ensure data accuracy, transparency, and follow-through.
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:
- Performance Management
- Develop and maintain comprehensive shared service performance reporting (KPIs, SLAs, productivity, cost, and quality metrics)
- Monitor performance trends and highlight risks, issues, and opportunities
- Support preparation of executive-ready dashboards and summaries
- Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and timeliness
- Cost Management & Financial Analysis
- Support cost tracking, reporting, and analysis across various functions
- Assist in budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis activities
- Identify key cost drivers and support cost optimization initiatives
- Partner with Finance to ensure alignment of financial data and assumptions
- Data Management & Insights
- Aggregate and synthesize data from multiple sources to provide actionable insights
- Translate data into clear findings and business implications
- Identify opportunities to improve transparency and reporting efficiency
- Execution Support & Coordination
- Support execution of performance and cost management initiatives
- Track action items, deliverables, and follow-through across stakeholders
- Assist in preparing materials for leadership forums (MBRs, performance reviews, etc.)
- Help coordinate across Business, Share Services, Finance, and Technology teams
- Continuous Improvement Support
- Identify opportunities to improve reporting processes, data quality, and operational efficiency
- Support initiatives to reduce manual work and enhance automation
- Contribute to standardization and simplification of processes
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:
- 5+ years of experience in business operations, analytics, finance, or related roles
- Experience with performance reporting, financial analysis, or operational metrics
- Proven ability to provide executive savings materials supported with data and facts
- Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed environment
- Demonstrated solid analytical and data management skills (Excel, reporting tools, etc.)
- Demonstrated solid organizational and communication skills
Success Measures
- Accurate, timely, and actionable performance and cost reporting
- Improved visibility into ECS performance and cost drivers
- High-quality analysis that supports decision-making
- Effective tracking and execution of initiatives and deliverables
- Contribution to improved efficiency and reporting processes
*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 $112,700 - $193,200 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.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of experience in business operations, analytics, finance, or related roles
- Experience with performance reporting, financial analysis, or operational metrics
- Ability to provide executive savings materials supported by data and facts
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed environment
- Solid analytical and data management skills, including Excel and reporting tools
- Solid organizational and communication skills
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave (six weeks), paid caregiver leave (up to two weeks), Bright Horizons back-up care, and adoption assistance up to $10,000 are prominently included. Feedback suggests these family supports meaningfully aid work-life balance and are often highlighted as strengths.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is available to all employees, including part-time staff, alongside other financial protections like disability and life insurance. Feedback suggests broad access and matching make retirement support a core pillar of the package.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan offers discounted company stock, with some roles also eligible for sign-on or performance bonuses. Feedback suggests the ESPP is a standout financial perk that helps employees build ownership over time.
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.