Manager, AI Innovation and Strategy - Life Sciences - Remote

Optum; Eden Prairie (MN); Remote; USD 92,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group seeks a Manager of AI Innovation and Strategy for Life Sciences to lead AI strategy and delivery for pharma, biotech, and medical tech clients. The role spans discovery to value realization, with remote work nationwide and in-office requirements in Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. for some hires.

Responsibilities include managing workstreams, coaching teams, ensuring quality, and supporting business development while applying strong life sciences and AI fluency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in consulting or AI-enabled solution delivery.
• 3+ years of life sciences industry experience.
• Experience managing workstreams from discovery to implementation.
• Ability to structure and solve complex problems.
• Experience leading client stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of AI, ML, analytics, data platforms, and modern delivery approaches.
• Understanding of privacy, security, regulatory, and responsible AI considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI strategy and workstreams within life sciences engagements.
• Manage day-to-day engagement activities and milestones.
• Translate business, scientific, and operational requirements into plans.
• Collaborate with technical and functional teams to deliver AI-enabled solutions.
• Coach, supervise, and develop consultants and analysts.
• Ensure quality and timely delivery aligned with objectives.
• Support business development and client proposals.

Skills

Consulting experience

AI delivery

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Description - Manager, AI Innovation and Strategy - Life Sciences - Remote (2386719)

Manager, AI Innovation and Strategy - Life Sciences - Remote - 2386719

Improve the lives of others while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

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, andultimately consumers. Our deepexpertisein the industry and innovative technology empower us to help organizations reduce costs while improving risk management,qualityand revenue growth. Ready to help us deliver results that improve lives? Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Manager, AI Innovation and Strategy - Life Sciences serves as a client-delivery leader supporting complex AI strategy and solution engagements for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, and related life sciences clients. This role works closely with client stakeholders and internal teams to translate business, scientific, operational, and technical requirements into actionable workplans, analyses, solutions, and deliverables.

The Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day engagement activities, managing workstreams, and ensuring high-quality delivery. The role requires solid project leadership, structured problem solving, life sciences expertise, and AI fluency to drive execution from discovery through implementation and value realization. The Manager serves as a trusted working partner to clients and collaborates closely with Senior Management and broader leadership to successfully deliver client outcomes.

You’llenjoy 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:

• Workstream Leadership: Lead one or more workstreams within AI strategy and solution-delivery engagements, driving execution against defined objectives, milestones, deliverables, and timelines
• Project Management: Manage day-to-day project activities including work planning, resource coordination, issue resolution, status tracking, dependency management, and progress reporting to ensure successful engagement execution
• Life Sciences Subject Matter Application: Apply knowledge of life sciences processes, operations, and business challenges to support client analyses, solution development, implementation activities, and adoption efforts
• Solution Delivery Support: Partner with technical and functional teams to translate business requirements into practical AI-enabled solutions, implementation plans, workflows, and operational processes
• Team Leadership & Development: Supervise, coach, and develop consultants, analysts, and other project team members by providing guidance, feedback, prioritization support, and performance coaching
• Quality Management: Review analyses, presentations, documentation, and client deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, accuracy, and alignment with engagement objectives and client expectations
• Stakeholder Coordination: Facilitate working sessions, gather requirements, coordinate activities across client and internal stakeholders, and support alignment on project decisions and priorities
• Risk & Issue Management: Identify, monitor, and escalation project risks, issues, dependencies, and delivery challenges while developing mitigation plans and driving resolution activities
• Communication & Reporting: Develop client-ready materials, executive updates, status reports, and presentations that communicate progress, findings, recommendations, and implementation considerations
• Practice Contribution: Support the development and refinement of methodologies, delivery assets, reusable content, knowledge management resources, and team best practices
• Business Development Support: Contribute to proposal development, opportunity assessments, client presentations, market research, and other activities that support business growth and account expansion

You’llbe 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 asprovidedevelopment for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience in consulting, product delivery, technology transformation, analytics, or AI-enabled solution delivery
• 3+ years of experience working with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, or related life sciences organizations
• Experience managing workstreams or projects from discovery through implementation
• Demonstrated ability to structure and solve complex business, scientific, operational, or technical problems
• Experience managing client stakeholders and collaborating across cross-functional teams
• Experience leading analyses, developing recommendations, and presenting findings to business audiences
• Experience reviewing work products and providing coaching or guidance to team members
• Demonstrated knowledge of AI, machine learning, analytics, data platforms, and modern technology delivery approaches
• Demonstrated understanding of privacy, security, regulatory, and responsible AI considerations
• Demonstrated solid written, verbal, and executive communication skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high-quality delivery
• Willing and able to travel up to 30-40% to client locations

*All employees working remotely will berequiredto 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. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

UnitedHealth Group is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation for any part of the application process, please call 1-866-566-8715 to be connected to Recruitment Services. Recruitment Services hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

UnitedHealth Group is a registered service mark of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. The UnitedHealth Group name with the dimensional logo, as well as the dimensional logo alone, are both service marks for the UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.