Director, Leadership Development and Experience

UnitedHealth Group•Eden Prairie, MN

About The Position

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company that’s dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. The Director of People Development provides enterprise level leadership and subject matter expertise for the strategy, design, and delivery of leadership development initiatives that strengthen leadership capability, deepen bench strength, and advance an inclusive, diverse talent pipeline. This role holds enterprise accountability for leadership development strategy and direction, influencing leaders and stakeholders across multiple business units, markets, and sites without direct authority or people leadership responsibilities. Operating with broad autonomy and accountability, the Director leads through multiple layers of management and senior level professionals, with impact across large, complex businesses. The role partners closely with senior leaders, People Business Partners, and enterprise stakeholders to advance an empowered learning culture, elevate the employee experience, and support long term transformation and growth objectives. This position also serves as a strategic advisor and enterprise level facilitator to senior executives, including ELT and SLT leaders. The Director must demonstrate executive presence and business sophistication equivalent to operating 2-3 levels up, enabling trust and credibility with leaders who are accountable for running the most complex parts of the business. The Director is recognized as the organization’s most advanced facilitator, capable of navigating high stakes executive dynamics and guiding senior leadership teams through critical dialogue, strategic reflection, and complex problem solving.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in leadership development, organizational development, or related fields, with significant progressive experience leading enterprise level learning, leadership, or talent development initiatives within a large, complex organization
Demonstrated experience leading through multiple layers of management and influencing senior executives, including proven effectiveness working with LT/SLT or equivalent executive leadership levels
Proven advanced facilitation expertise, including substantial experience facilitating senior leadership and executive level programs in both virtual and in person environments; recognized as a top tier facilitator capable of navigating complex group dynamics and high stakes dialogue
Proven ability to develop and execute strategies that span large business units or multiple markets/sites, with measurable impact on leadership capability and business outcomes
Proven exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence, inspire, and align stakeholders at all levels, including executive audiences
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, high impact initiatives in a fast paced, matrixed environment, balancing strategic vision with disciplined execution

Nice To Haves

Proven solid business acumen and the ability to resolve complex, cross functional challenges; understands how senior leaders run the business and the operating, financial, and people implications of strategic decisions
Proven deep expertise in leadership development, adult learning, and user centered design, including application of emerging practices, analytics, and AI enabled capabilities
Proven robust diagnostic and analytical skills; ability to distill complex data and qualitative insight into clear, enterprise level recommendations and action
Proven solid relationship building skills with a well-developed enterprise network and the ability to operate effectively across boundaries and functions

Responsibilities

Provide enterprise‑wide accountability for leadership development strategy, frameworks, and program portfolios, using expertise and influence to strengthen leadership capability at all levels and ensure alignment with business strategy and culture
Architect and continuously evolve an integrated leadership development ecosystem (programs, experiences, tools, coaching, and assessments) that supports organizational transformation, succession readiness, and diverse talent pipelines across business units and markets
Operate as the senior most authority on leadership development methodology and practices, setting quality standards, governance, and enterprise adoption expectations
Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to LT and SLT leaders, influencing leadership behavior, organizational priorities, and enterprise decision making through data, insight, and facilitated dialogue
Demonstrate deep understanding of business operations, market dynamics, and the complex challenges faced by senior executives; translate these realities into leadership development solutions that resonate at the highest levels
Advise and influence senior business leaders and People Business Partners on leadership capability, succession, and development priorities, ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy and talent imperatives
Provide leadership and project/program management for complex, enterprise wide leadership development programs and portfolios, including senior leadership and executive level experiences
Ensure user centered design practices are embedded at scale to support accessibility, learner experience, and enterprise adoption, including data and AI enabled capabilities that enhance personalization and scale
Translate external best practices, research, and market insights into enterprise ready strategies, keeping the organization at the forefront of leadership development innovation
Design and deliver high impact in person and virtual facilitation for senior leadership development programs, executive cohorts, and enterprise wide experiences, including high stakes strategy sessions, executive forums, and organizational interventions
Serve as the enterprise’s most advanced facilitator, modeling best in class facilitation and coaching practices; mentor and develop other senior facilitators and practitioners across the function
Champion enterprise wide efforts to develop people leaders and strengthen a continuous learning culture that reinforces the organization’s values and strategic priorities
Analyze trends and insights across the leadership portfolio and workforce to inform strategic decisions, communicate outcomes to senior stakeholders, and refine the leadership development strategy
Build and sustain strong relationships with senior leaders, People Business Partners, and key enterprise stakeholders to drive alignment, sponsorship, and adoption of leadership development strategies
Represent the organization in professional networks and forums, translating external thought leadership and best practices into competitive advantage in leadership capability and talent development
Lead or contribute to special projects and enterprise initiatives as assigned, often in complex, cross functional environments