Chief Data Officer

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 Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Chief Data Officer will provide the vision, strategic direction, and overall leadership of data initiatives across UnitedHealth Group (UHG). This enterprise leader will define and deliver a comprehensive data strategy that maximizes the value of UHG's investments in data platforms, tools, and assets while ensuring robust governance and compliance. This individual will closely collaborate with senior stakeholders to empower teams to shape the data and insights strategy, roadmaps, and portfolios-co-creating solutions that enhance value through integration and actionable insights.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
Hybrid in MN/DC: This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
Strategic Data Leadership

• Define and evolve UHG's global data strategy, aligning initiatives with business priorities
• Craft and communicate a compelling narrative on data and AI's transformative potential
• Build aligned technology and data solutions that serve the enterprise
• Be visible and in service to the organization, collaborating with CIOs to create a clear, transformative technology and data strategy
• Lead and influence senior stakeholders through strong relationships, navigating complexity with agility and financial acumen
• Identify strategic investment opportunities to accelerate growth and improve outcomes

Enterprise Data Mesh Enablement
Drive adoption of these 5 Data Mesh pillars:
1. Data Mesh Enablement: Federated domain ownership with interoperability through enterprise platforms
2. Centralized Data Mastering: Establish golden records for member, provider, client, and product data
3. Enterprise Standards & Certification: Enforce certification for data products to ensure quality and AI-readiness
4. Self-Service Accessibility: Enable producers and consumers with AI-assisted tools for discovery, reuse, and insights
5. Governance, Compliance & Security: Implement fine-grained access controls, tagging ontology, and compliance frameworks
Responsible AI & Data Governance at Scale

• Develop frameworks for ethical AI, including bias mitigation, transparency, and accountability
• Implement annotation services and synthetic data management to support AI model training while preserving privacy
• Scale governance to support dynamic AI systems, ensuring explainability and compliance across global jurisdictions

Industry Influence & External Advocacy

• Shape regulatory frameworks and standards through active participation in global councils and policy forums
• Publish thought leadership content and lead collaborations with academia, research institutions and/or industry bodies

Data Architecture & Operations

• Build scalable, healthcare-specific data asset for UHG's core businesses
• Align corporate data taxonomy and ensure interoperability across platforms
• Oversee global data collection, storage, and accessibility with appropriate restriction
• Partner with Technology and enterprise leadership to enable secure, governed access to data assets and ensure alignment and business priorities

Data Value Creation

• Drive measurable business impact through data-driven decision-making
• Partner with business leaders to unlock internal and commercial opportunities using insights

Data Innovation

• Lead transformation using emerging technologies for data storage and analysis
• Champion modernization initiatives that accelerate enterprise data capabilities

Organizational Leadership

• Lead a global team of technologists, including data engineers, data scientists, technical product managers, and software engineers
• Create impactful teams that thrive under your mentorship
• Optimize team composition to ensure effective & efficient delivery

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:

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in data strategy, governance, and enterprise technology
• Deep expertise in global data operations and compliance, including k nowledge of international data rights and data security domains (such as GDPR, HIPAA, and emerging AI regulations)
• Prior experience serving as a Chief Data Officer for a Fortune 100 company, with a proven track record of delivering enterprise-scale data transformation
• Experience leading a global team of 500+ professionals, fostering collaboration across diverse geographies and cultures
• Background in regulated industries, with proven ability to engage with regulators and ensure compliance
• Track record of influencing C-suite executives, shaping strategic decisions through data-driven insights
• History of serving as a thought leader evidenced by speaking engagements, advisory roles, participation in global forums, white papers, contributions to policy development, and/or influencing data related standards
• Proven ability to drive transformation and deliver measurable business impact
• Demonstrated business, technical, and financial acumen
• Exceptional stakeholder management and change leadership skills

*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 $225,000 to $375,000 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. 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.