Senior Director, Technology

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 to start
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The Senior Director, Technology - UCH C&S Core Strategic Platforms is a technology leader responsible for overseeing the end to end delivery, stability, modernization, and security of Community & State (C\&S) core platform capabilities - including Eligibility, Claims, and associated ancillary applications. This leader drives platform strategy, operational excellence, modernization initiatives, AI powered engineering capabilities, and transparent reporting across KPIs, outcomes, and risks. The role requires collaboration with senior executives, business partners, and global engineering teams to ensure platforms are resilient, scalable, compliant, and continuously improving.

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

• Platform Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the strategy, roadmap, and execution for C\&S core platforms, including Eligibility, Claims, and related ecosystem applications

• Develop a clear modernization vision and guide teams toward cloud-aligned, API driven, and AI enhanced target states
• Drive architectural alignment, technology standards, and reuse across the platform portfolio

• Serve as a senior technology advisor to business and functional leadership

• Operational Excellence & Stability

• Ensure the performance, availability, and stability of all core platform services

• Lead incident management, problem management, and root cause analysis efforts
• Establish rigorous SLAs, operational dashboards, and proactive monitoring practices

• Partner with SRE, Infrastructure, and Production Support teams to maintain reliability at scale

• Security, Compliance, & Risk Management

• Maintain a solid security posture across applications, data flows, and integrations

• Ensure platforms adhere to regulatory standards (including Medicaid and broader healthcare compliance)

• Identify, assess, and mitigate technology risks across systems and delivery practices

• Programs, Delivery & Modernization

• Lead major strategic programs such as platform modernization, re platforming, migrations, AI enablement, and tech debt reduction

• Oversee delivery execution across multiple teams, ensuring on time, high-quality outcomes

• Establish frameworks to measure program success, value realization, and adoption

• Metrics, KPIs, Insights & Reporting

• Define and manage KPIs related to stability, throughput, quality, operational risk, modernization progress, and security compliance

• Deliver clear, data driven reporting and insights to senior leadership Use AI/ML-driven analytics to enhance operational intelligence and decision making

• People Leadership & Global Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing engineering, product, and delivery teams across global locations

• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, continuous learning, and partnership
• Attract diverse talent and build succession-ready leadership pipelines

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

• 10+ years of progressive technology experience in large-scale enterprise environments
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles such as Senior Manager or Director overseeing engineering or platform delivery teams
• 5+ years of experience applying AI/ML in engineering, automation, or platform solutions
• 5+ years of experience leading modernization initiatives (cloud, API, microservices, automation, digital transformations)
• 5+ years of experience managing global teams across multiple time zones
• Experience leading Eligibility, Claims, or other core healthcare platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Advanced degree in Technology, Engineering, Business, or related field
• Experience with large-scale Claims engines, Eligibility platforms, SOR modernization, or cloud migration programs
• Medicaid platform, policy, or regulatory experience
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior executives and influencing enterprise level decisions
• Solid understanding of healthcare systems, data flows, regulatory constraints, and operational models

The ideal candidate is a visionary technology leader with deep expertise in healthcare platforms, solid operational rigor, and the ability to lead global teams through transformation. They combine engineering excellence, strategic thinking, AI driven innovation, and an unwavering commitment to platform reliability and security.

• 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 $159,300 to $273,200 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, location and 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 marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care 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 a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.