Consultant, Planning and Strategy - Remote

UnitedHealth Group; Eden Prairie (MN); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group's Optum division seeks a Planning and Strategy Consultant to shape strategic priorities across operations. You will drive data-driven insights, frame problems, and guide cross-functional teams to align with business goals and budget targets.

The role offers remote work nationwide with the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. offices requiring four days in the office weekly, plus opportunities to mentor colleagues and influence operational performance and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• 2+ 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: 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.
• 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.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Leadership

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 while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Planning and Strategy Consultant 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.

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:

• 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:

• 2+ 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

Skills:

• Solid analytical and conceptual thinking skills
• Ability to solve complex problems and develop innovative solutions
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Ability to manage up and set clear expectations for delivery

*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 $91,700 - $163,700 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 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.