Director, Payer Innovation and Strategy - Remote

Optum; Eden Prairie (MN); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking an experienced client-facing leader to drive AI payer strategy engagements. You will translate health plan business problems into executable AI solutions, manage day-to-day delivery, and align cross-functional teams across data science, operations, and engineering to deliver measurable value.

Based in the U.S., you will facilitate workshops, lead executive forums, oversee scopes and budgets, and ensure governance and compliant delivery while expanding Optum AI payer offerings.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in management consulting or AI-enabled delivery.
• 7+ years leading multi-workstream client engagements.
• 5+ years working with payer organizations.
• 5+ years translating complex business problems into AI use cases.
• 5+ years facilitating workshops with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to travel up to 30-40% to client locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of AI consulting engagements.
• Serve as the primary client contact for workshops and decision forums.
• Structure payer problems and translate findings into AI use cases and value hypotheses.
• Own the development, quality, and delivery of client work products and roadmaps.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to define future-state workflows and AI roadmaps.
• Manage engagement economics, scope, schedule, staffing, forecast, margins, and risk.
• Partner with sales to participate in discovery, proposals, and pricing inputs.
• Transform outcomes into reusable playbooks and AI narratives.
• Embed privacy, security, and regulatory compliance in all solutions.

Skills

Consulting leadership

Client engagement

AI/ML knowledge

Stakeholder management

Workshops facilitation

Travel readiness

Education

Advanced degree (MBA or related)

Tools

Cloud platforms

Generative AI

Data strategy

Job description

OptumInsightis improving the flow of health data and information to create a more connected system. We remove friction and drive alignment between care providers and payers, and ultimately consumers. Our deep expertise in the industry and innovative technology empower us to help organizations reduce costs while improving risk management, quality and revenue growth. Ready to help us deliver results that improve lives? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. The Optum AI Payer Strategy & Innovation team is dedicated to solving complex health plan challenges by designing, translating, and deploying innovative artificial intelligence solutions. In this role, you will act as a client-facing consulting leader, translating health plan business problems into executable AI engagements and managing day-to-day solution delivery. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams spanning data science, clinical operations, engineering, and enterprise leadership to move healthcare clients from problem definition through solution design, implementation, and measurable value realization. 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

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of AI consulting engagements, translating statements of work into integrated workplans with clear milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and acceptance criteria
• Serve as the primary client contact, facilitating virtual and on-site workshops, status meetings, and decision forums to align diverse client stakeholders
• Structure ambiguous payer business problems, assess current workflows, data, and technology constraints, and translate findings into prioritized AI use cases and value hypotheses
• Own the development, quality, and delivery of client work products, including roadmaps, solution designs, implementation plans, governance models, and value cases
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across healthcare operations, data science, engineering, and change management to define future-state workflows and AI implementation roadmaps
• Manage engagement economics, scope, schedule, staffing, forecast, margins, utilization, and risk mitigation to protect project quality and delivery outcomes
• Partner with sales and account leaders to participate in discovery, proposal development, demonstrations, pricing inputs, and statements of work
• Transform project outcomes and client feedback into reusable playbooks, go-to-market accelerators, and solution narratives to expand Optum AI payer service offerings
• Embed privacy, security, regulatory compliance, model-risk, and responsible AI principles into all client solution recommendations and delivery decisions

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in management consulting, professional services, health plan transformation, business operations, technology delivery, analytics, or AI-enabled solution delivery
• 7+ years of experience leading the day-to-day delivery of complex, multi-workstream client engagements from mobilization through completion
• 5+ years of experience working with commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, employer-sponsored, or related payer organizations
• 5+ years of payer domain expertise in one or more core areas such as claims, utilization management, prior authorization, care management, risk adjustment, quality, network management, or member services
• 5+ years of experience translating complex business problems into AI/data use cases, workflow requirements, solution designs, operating model changes, and quantifiable value cases
• 5+ years of experience facilitating workshops, status meetings, and executive decision forums with senior client stakeholders
• Ability to travel up to 30-40% to client locations as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, Master's in Healthcare Administration, Computer Science, or related field)
• Demonstrated understanding of machine learning, generative AI, cloud platforms, healthcare data structures, and responsible AI frameworks
• Experience contributing to business development, RFP responses, pricing models, staffing plans, and statements of work
• Solid financial acumen with experience managing engagement budgets, billable utilization, and project margins
• Proven capability coaching and directing multidisciplinary teams spanning business, clinical, data science, and technology disciplines
• 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 $134,600 - $230,800 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,locationand 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 marginalizedgroupsand those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and deliveringequitablecare 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 adrug -free workplace. Candidatesare required topass a drug test before beginning employment.