Senior Director Technology

Optum; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 159,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum seeks a Senior Director Technology to serve as a strategic advisor to the Global Technology Services CIO, translating vision into priorities and measurable results across a global, matrixed organization. You will architect and run the executive operating model, lead workforce planning, and drive executive-level reporting and communications.

You will champion AI-enabled approaches, coordinate high‑level forums, and guide leadership development to improve organizational health and readiness

Qualifications

• Strategic advisor to senior executives and translate vision into enterprise-level results.
• Experience designing executive operating rhythms and decision-ready reporting.
• Proven success leading complex initiatives across global, matrixed organizations.
• Strong understanding of strategy, operations, finance, workforce planning and forecasting.
• Ability to influence, navigate ambiguity and drive change at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to the GTS CIO, shaping strategy, priorities, decisions, and narratives.
• Architect and manage the executive operating model, cadence, planning, and governance.
• Lead or support high-priority initiatives, escalations, and sensitive matters for the CIO.
• Develop MBOs, scorecards, dashboards, and performance reporting for decisions.
• Coordinate executive communications, board materials, and enterprise forums.
• Provide matrix leadership to business operations and capacity planning across teams.

Skills

Strategic planning

Executive advisory

Transformation leadership

Operations management

Matrix organization leadership

Digital/aI enablement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

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

Job Description - Senior Director Technology (2394362)

Senior Director Technology - 2394362

Optum Tech is a global leader in health care innovation. Our teams develop cutting-edge solutions that help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. From advanced data analytics and AI to cybersecurity, we use innovative approaches to solve some of health care’s most complex challenges. Your contributions here have the potential to change lives. Ready to build the next breakthrough? Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic advisor and operational leader to the Global Technology Services (GTS) CIO, helping translate vision and strategy into aligned priorities, decisions, and measurable results across the global organization . GTS is Optum Technology's infrastructure, operations, engineering, and technology services teams. This leader architects and runs the executive operating model, drives organizational strategy and transformation, and connects priorities across business operations, workforce, culture, communications, technology operations, and enterprise partnerships. The role proactively leads strategic initiatives, strengthens leadership effectiveness, and ensures disciplined execution across a complex, highly matrixed environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the GTS CIO, helping shape organizational strategy, priorities, decisions, and executive narratives
• Anticipate business and organizational needs, surface risks and tradeoffs, and translate complex issues into clear options and decisions
• Act as connective tissue across GTS, Optum Technology, segment CIO organizations, and enterprise partners to drive alignment and coordinated execution
• Lead or support high-priority initiatives, escalations, and sensitive matters on behalf of the CIO.
• Architect and manage the executive operating model, including leadership cadences, business reviews, annual planning, financial rhythms, and decision forums
• Lead the development of MBOs, outcome indicators, scorecards, dashboards, and performance reporting that provide accurate, decision-ready insights
• Coordinate QBRs, MOBRs, long-range planning, annual reports, board materials, and other executive deliverables, ensuring a consistent narrative and clear accountability
• Strengthen leadership team effectiveness through clear operating principles, decision rights, accountability, and productive leadership forums
• Manage agendas, materials, decisions, and action follow-up for key leadership meetings and global site engagements
• Lead the GTS Office of the Chief of Staff team, providing strategic direction, prioritization, and oversight across their assigned initiatives. Coach and develop a high-performing team
• Provide matrix leadership to the GTS Business Operations leads, aligning priorities, operating rhythms, deliverables, and accountability across the organization
• Coordinate capacity planning and work assignments across matrixed resources to ensure critical priorities have the right support and coverage
• Own the integrated GTS communications strategy, including CIO messaging, executive presentations, organizational storytelling, change communications, and leadership communications
• Prepare executive-level content and translate complex technology and business topics for a range of audiences
• Lead Town Halls and other enterprise-wide forums, including content strategy, speaker preparation, run of show, and follow-up
• Lead organization-wide employee, leadership, and learning forums, including content strategy, topic development, speaker preparation, facilitation, event execution, and follow-up
• Lead workforce strategy and governance, including capacity planning, workforce forecasting, requisition governance, partner with leaders on their organizational design, location strategy, and resource alignment
• Partner with the CIO and People Team on talent reviews, succession planning, leadership development, skills transformation, and long-range workforce needs
• Use workforce data and insights to identify risks, shape decisions, and drive actions that improve organizational health and readiness
• Oversee workforce-related programs and processes, including project time compliance, real estate initiatives, and early career or development program forecasting
• Partner with technology and business leaders to identify opportunities, establish adoption mechanisms, and track organizational progress
• Champion AI‑enabled ways of working by integrating enterprise‑approved AI tools (e.g., M365 Copilot, United AI Studio Playground) into team workflows

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:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• 10+ years of experience in strategic planning, transformation, business operations, technology operations, or organizational leadership
• Demonstrated experience serving as a strategic advisor to senior executives and translating vision into enterprise-level results
• Experience designing executive operating rhythms, performance management mechanisms, and decision-ready reporting
• Proven success leading complex, scaled initiatives across global and highly matrixed organizations
• Proven deep understanding of strategy, operations, financial management, workforce planning, reporting, and forecasting
• Ability to be highly influential and comfortable challenging siloed thinking, navigating ambiguity, and driving change at all levels
• Demonstrated sound judgment and demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential or sensitive information

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in technology, business, healthcare administration, or a related field
• Experience working across multiple UnitedHealth Group businesses or similarly complex enterprise environments
• Technology industry or healthcare technology experience
• Understanding of key financial and business indicators and their connection to technology outcomes
• Experience leading organizational transformation, portfolio management, culture, communications, talent strategy, or AI enablement initiatives
• Solid executive communication, writing, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify highly complex concepts
• Demonstrated track record of effective people leadership, team engagement, and talent development

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 $159,300 - $273,200 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. 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.