Director of Product Management - Program Operations - Remote

Requisition Number: 2367028
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 Director of Product Management - Program Operations will lead the strategy, vision, and execution for the Program Operations business within the State Government portfolio. This leader will be responsible for defining a cohesive product strategy, rationalizing the product portfolio, driving innovation, commercialization, and improving financial performance across a $95M business. The Program Operations business is currently underperforming, and this role will be accountable for aligning product investments with market demand, customer outcomes, and business objectives to restore profitable growth.
Working closely with technology, operations, sales, implementation, and client leaders, this individual will ensure the Program Operations product portfolio delivers differentiated value to state agencies while strengthening competitive positioning and long-term sustainability.
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.
The Director will provide strategic product leadership across solutions including:

• Provider Management Self-Service - Digital solutions that streamline provider enrollment, credentialing, communications, claims support, and self-service experiences for Medicaid providers
• Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) - Solutions supporting eligibility, enrollment, care coordination, service authorization, and case management for long-term care programs
• Prior Authorization - Workflow and decision-support solutions that improve authorization efficiency, compliance, and clinical appropriateness
• Program Integrity - Analytics and workflow solutions that detect fraud, waste, and abuse while improving Medicaid program oversight
• One Assist - A government-secure, FedRAMP-hosted, cloud-native omnichannel contact center platform supporting constituent, provider, and agency interactions

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the product vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap for the Program Operations business
• Own the product portfolio strategy and performance, including revenue growth, profitability, customer adoption, and market competitiveness
• Evaluate and rationalize existing products and investments to optimize the portfolio and focus resources on the highest-value opportunities
• Identify emerging market and product opportunities, customer needs, and strategic partnerships that drive growth, commercialization, and competitive differentiation
• Translate customer, regulatory, and market insights into product strategy and investment priorities
• Partner with technology and engineering teams to deliver secure, scalable, cloud-based solutions that meet client and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with operations, implementation, sales, and customer leadership to ensure successful product adoption and customer outcomes
• Develop business cases, pricing strategies, commercialization plans, and investment recommendations for new and existing offerings
• Establish product governance, performance metrics, and KPIs to measure customer value, business performance, and financial outcomes
• Serve as the executive product leader for the Program Operations business, aligning cross-functional teams around a common vision and strategic priorities

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 experience in State Government, Medicaid, or public sector healthcare technology
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience leading strategic initiatives that drive business growth, market expansion, customer success, portfolio optimization, or commercialization
• Experience leading business, solution, or product portfolios with responsibility for financial performance, revenue growth, margin improvement, or business outcomes
• Solid understanding of Medicaid operations, including provider management, LTSS, prior authorization, program integrity, and/or government contact center solutions
• Demonstrated ability to translate customer, regulatory and market needs into strategic priorities, investment decisions, and measurable business outcomes
• Proven solid financial and business acumen with experience developing business cases, prioritizing investments, and evaluating business and product performance
• Proven ability to influence and align cross-functional leaders across technology, operations, sales, client organizations, and product
• Proven excellent executive communication, stakeholder management, and strategic planning skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with cloud-native SaaS platforms, FedRAMP environments, and government security requirements
• Experience modernizing legacy technology, business, or solution portfolios and leading digital transformation initiatives
• Knowledge of state Medicaid programs, CMS regulations, and government procurement processes

Success Measures
Within the first 12-24 months, the Director will be expected to:

• Establish a unified product vision and roadmap for the Program Operations business
• Rationalize the product portfolio to improve investment focus, reduce complexity, and increase market competitiveness
• Improve business profitability through product optimization, commercialization, pricing, and investment decisions
• Increase customer adoption, satisfaction, and retention across strategic product offerings
• Deliver new product capabilities that drive measurable revenue growth and strengthen market differentiation
• Implement a disciplined product management operating model with clear governance, performance metrics, and accountability
• Partner with executive leadership to position the Program Operations business for sustainable long-term growth and improved financial performance

*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 - $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.