Associate Director, Planning and Strategy

UnitedHealth Group; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 113,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group, seeks an Associate Director of Planning and Strategy to advance strategic priorities for Optum Operations. You will oversee initiatives from framing problems to communicating findings that drive decisions, demonstrating strong analytical and operational discipline in a matrixed environment.

The role emphasizes stakeholder alignment, data-driven insights, and cross-functional leadership to enhance performance and patient outcomes while guiding cost transparency

Qualifications

• 7+ years in strategic operations, business planning, or healthcare operations leadership.
• Experience in project management or process optimization.
• Proven track record in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic planning and direction to align with business priorities and goals.
• Drive operational performance and manage business plans to support long-term objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams, offering strategic guidance and developmental feedback.

Skills

Strategic planning

Business planning

Healthcare operations leadership

Project management

Job description

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 in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI whileCaring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Associate Director, Planning and Strategy role is essential to advancing the strategic priorities of Optum Operations by providing leadership, analytical rigor, and strategic insight across multiple domains. This role requires end-to-end oversight of initiatives, including framing the problem, collecting and analyzing data and process information and communicating findings to leaders that are aligned to business priorities to drive decision‑making. The ideal candidate brings solid analytical skills, operational discipline, and the ability to work in a matrixed environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic planning and direction:
  • Drive stakeholder alignment by creating data‑drive points of view that are aligned to business priorities and goals
  • Translate complex data and strategic concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse internal audiences
  • Lead/mentor cross‑functional teams, fostering a culture of innovation and data‑drive decisioning
  • Review and enhance the work of others, providing strategic guidance and developmental feedback
• Drive operational performance and projects
  • Develop and manage business plans that support long‑term objectives and performance goals
  • Support integration of services and alignment of performance and service levels with enterprise‑wide standards across key operational functions
  • Partner across operations, technology, digital, and experience teams to identify and advance initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and reduce manual interventions
  • Align operational strategies and innovations with VBC objectives to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience
  • Lead implementation and optimization of transaction‑based billing models to improve cost transparency and operational efficiency
  • Monitor and analyze operational cost drivers, capital investments, and workforce trends to inform strategic decision‑making and resource planning
    

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:

• 7+ years in strategic operations, business planning, or healthcare operations leadership
• Experience in project management or process optimization
• Proven track record in leading complex, cross‑functional initiatives and projects

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.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug‑free workplace. Candidatesare required topass a drug test before beginning employment.