Sr Director Of Innovation & Strategy - Remote - Remote Eligible

Sr Director Of Innovation & Strategy

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 to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Sr Director of Innovation & Strategy leads enterprise-wide capability deployment across national operations, with a focus on telephony modernization, digital acceleration, and innovation capital planning. This role drives strategic alignment across Optum Health’s digital strategy, technology, and operational priorities to improve customer experience and streamline infrastructure.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Innovation Execution
• Translate and execute strategies for telephony infrastructure modernization, bot orchestration, and omni-channel deployments
• Lead the implementation team responsible for capability deployment across inbound/outbound contact centers
• Drive innovation capital planning and deployment, including AI-infused consumer bots and digital scheduling solutions
• Align with Optum Health’s digital strategy to improve member journey experiences and real-time connectivity
• Report out on G-level consumer experience and innovation metrics in operating close meetings
• Product and Capability Management
• Own the telephony product roadmap, including feature prioritization, release planning, and backlog management
• Define and deploy capabilities across contact center operations, including AI bots, digital scheduling, and omni-channel routing
• Align capability deployment with enterprise operational priorities and technology strategy to ensure seamless integration and measurable impact
• Partner with digital, technology, and operations teams to accelerate agile development and reduce backlog
• Monitor capability performance, adoption, and ROI to inform future innovation capital planning
• Ensure capabilities support cross-UHG experience and real-time connectivity across member journeys
• Operational Oversight
• Oversee cross-functional teams supporting front and back office operations
• Improve data sharing and streamline contact center infrastructure for effective capital deployment
• Deploy innovative capabilities using AI to support providers, agents, and members
• Monitor engagement patterns and optimize digital solutions accordingly
• Influence senior management decisions that impact business direction and consumer experience

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:

• 12+ years of experience in strategic operations, capability deployment, or healthcare innovation
• Healthcare experience
• Proven leadership across multiple layers of management and enterprise-wide initiatives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in telephony infrastructure, AI deployment, and digital transformation
• Solid strategic thinking, executive communication, and cross-functional leadership

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). The salary for this role will range from $156,400 to $268,000 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 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. 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.