Program Operations Lead

Requisition Number: 2367615
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, and data they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
As a Program Operations Lead (internally classified as an Agile Practitioner 2), you will lead the operational execution, delivery tracking, and milestone coordination of complex technology programs. In this fully remote role, you will act as a driving force behind program delivery, collaborating across software engineering teams to align capacity, coordinate multi-team dependencies, and manage release schedules. You will proactively identify and mitigate program-level delivery risks, establish operational metrics, and communicate comprehensive status updates to senior leadership. By utilizing enterprise-approved technology and automation tools, you will optimize team operational efficiency and drive continuous improvement across our program delivery lifecycles.
You will enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Orchestrate and lead the operational execution and delivery tracking of complex, multi-team technology programs to ensure milestones are met on time
• Coordinate cross-functional program dependencies, team capacity, and release schedules across multiple software engineering teams
• Proactively identify, monitor, and mitigate program-level delivery risks, operational bottlenecks, and resource constraints
• Define, track, and report key delivery metrics and operational performance indicators to measure progress and predict future capacity
• Communicate comprehensive program status, milestone progress, and delivery updates to technical leaders and executive stakeholders
• Facilitate large-scale planning sessions, alignment meetings, and retrospective workshops to ensure shared goals and operational alignment
• Partner with product management and technical leads to manage scope, refine program backlogs, and prioritize delivery pipelines
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI and automation tools to streamline operational workflows, automate status tracking, and drive continuous improvement in reporting efficiency
• Evaluate emerging trends in delivery frameworks, operational metrics, and collaboration platforms to inform solution design and drive strategic innovation

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience coordinating the operational delivery, execution tracking, or milestone management of technical programs or software development initiatives
• 3+ years of experience managing multi-team dependencies, tracking release schedules, or facilitating cross-functional alignment
• 2+ years of experience compiling, analyzing, and communicating delivery metrics, program status, or progress updates to leadership
• 2+ years of experience utilizing enterprise delivery tracking platforms (e.g., Jira, Rally, or similar) to manage backlogs and generate operational reports

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field
• Active Agile or Scrum certification (e.g., PMI-ACP, CSM, PSM, or SAFe certification)
• Experience coordinating programs in a fully remote or globally distributed technology environment
• Experience utilizing approved AI, automation, or productivity tools to automate status reporting, analyze delivery trends, or summarize operational data
• Outstanding communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills with a strong delivery-focused mindset

*All Telecommuters 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 $91,700 - $163,700 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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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