Senior Director, AI/ML Engineering - Growth Office Technology Strategy - Remote

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 talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Senior Director of Software Engineering will lead the technology strategy and execution for the Optum Growth Office, driving an AI-First and Data-First agenda to enable enterprise growth. This role requires a visionary leader with deep expertise in data engineering and modern data architecture, capable of aligning business and technology strategies, fostering operational excellence, and building a high-performance team focused on delivering innovative, data-driven solutions.
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:
Strategic Alignment

• Understand Optum's enterprise and Growth Office business strategies, translating them into a technology-forward, data-driven roadmap
• Serve as a strategic partner to Growth Office leadership, ensuring technology investments accelerate growth initiatives

AI-First & Data-First Transformation

• Drive the creation and adoption of an AI-First and Data-First strategy to transform key functions across the Optum Enterprise
• Build robust data pipelines, transformation processes, and governance frameworks to enable AI-driven insights for growth
• Ensure AI systems and data practices are ethical, explainable, and compliant with regulatory standards

Data Architecture & Engineering Excellence

• Lead the design and implementation of modern data architecture that supports scalability, interoperability, and real-time analytics for Growth Office programs
• Oversee data engineering initiatives, including data warehousing, lakehouse solutions, ETL/ELT pipelines, and streaming data platforms
• Implement data governance, lineage, and stewardship programs to maintain trust and compliance
• Drive data quality, master data management (MDM), and metadata strategies for enterprise-wide consistency

Operational Excellence

• Maintain platform uptime, stability, and security best practices
• Oversee the full lifecycle of assets, ensuring continuous monitoring and improvement of applications and tools used by the Optum Growth Office

Agile, DevOps & DataOps Delivery

• Implement Agile and DevOps models, complemented by DataOps practices, for rapid, reliable delivery
• Leverage enterprise platforms and cloud-native solutions for data and AI workloads

Customer-Centric Technology Model

• Deliver data-driven insights and services that empower Growth Office teams to make faster, smarter decisions
• Build a flexible, responsive technology organization that prioritizes Growth Office objectives and customer-centric outcomes

Leadership & Talent Development

• Identify and mentor technology and data leaders who can champion Growth Office initiatives
• Maintain a high-performance team culture with solid expertise in data engineering, analytics, and AI

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:

• Proven experience in senior technology leadership roles with a solid emphasis on data engineering and architecture
• Expertise in data platforms, ETL/ELT pipelines, data warehousing, data lake, and cloud-native data solutions
• Proven solid track record of driving digital transformation and aligning technology with business growth objectives
• Proven deep knowledge of Agile, DevOps, and DataOps methodologies
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills with the ability to build and mentor high-performing teams
• Proven solid understanding of healthcare, regulatory compliance, security best practices, and ethical AI principles

*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.