Long Range Planner

UnitedHealth Group•Chicago, IL

15h•Remote

About The Position

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 Long Range Planner plays a critical role in shaping the future of our enterprise workforce and will support Government Consumer Operations. This position partners closely with Operations, Finance, and vendor teams to develop and own long-range staffing forecasts that balance financial stewardship with service excellence across multiple lines of business. By translating complex data, trends, and scenarios into clear, actionable insights, the Long Range Planner helps ensure we have the right people, in the right place, at the right time—driving predictable outcomes, operational success, and positive healthcare experiences for the customers we serve. 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. 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.

Requirements

2+ years of resource planning and/or forecasting experience that supports variable populations of FTEs across multiple locations or equivalent experience
2+ years of experience leading or managing projects involving variable populations of FTEs
2+ years of experience driving financial plans/outcomes (e.g. cost/savings projections)
Advanced proficiency with MS Excel & PPT (e.g. pivot tables, complex advanced formulas, macros, automation, and data integration)
Proven track record of identifying defects and process variation, and working to improve processes and reduce defects

Nice To Haves

2+ years of experience setting expectations and managing vendor (on and offshore) partnerships
Experience with call, digital (e.g. chat, email, etc.) and/or back office
Experience with Workforce Management software (such as IEX, Aspect, Workforce Management IEX, Blue Pumpkin)
Experience scheduling and facilitating meetings; presenting complex data in a simplified way
Health care industry experience
Analytical skills, ability to understand seemingly unrelated data points
Advanced statistical analysis and modeling skills
Ability to work in a complex matrix environment providing support to several vendor/contractor partners (across various advocate populations across multiple locations)
Advanced technical skills
Excellent executive level written, verbal communication and presentation delivery (Sr Dir to COO)
Superior planning and organizational skills that effectively allocate and manage resources across multiple geographies
Solid problem-solving skills that enable quick identification and efficient resolution of issues
Superior negotiation/influence and relationship management skills that include the complexities of scale (small work groups to groups including hundreds of participants), vendor relationships (across several countries and contractual obligations) and all levels of leadership from Sr Dir to COO level populations
Ability to navigate through a complex network of simultaneous projects, financial task/pressures, technical/efficiency improvements, and employee engagement

Responsibilities

Create/Own long-range forecasts using statistical models and probabilities to achieve financial and service objectives for multiple lines of business and their corresponding FTE counts including oversight and direction provided to the vendor and short-range planners
Collaborate with Operations and Finance on the budgetary process to drive strategic decisions and outcomes
Collaborate with all levels of operational, vendor and workforce groups/leadership to understand emerging trends and drive fiscally responsible staffing recommendations
Drive toward forecast and financial accuracy goals and objectives
Present and explain complex staffing requirements in common language for all aligned LOBs to multiple levels of leadership (Sr Dir to COO) as well as vendor partner leadership
Drive a culture of root cause analysis, with a focus on identifying drivers and making strategic recommendations for financial adjustments
Deliver contact rate analysis
Provide driver (e.g. membership/workload) impact analysis
Partner in the impact assessment determination process to build into long-range forecasts
Manage cross - functional interdependencies
Be a change agent and resilient to roadblocks
Required to maintain understanding of and compliance with all AntiTrust laws and regulations. There is an inherent responsibility to avoid any appearance of collusive behavior amongst all of our business partners