Sr. Director, Optum People Analytics

UnitedHealth Group•Washington, DC

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 Optum People Analytics team turns workforce data into insight and action—advancing our mission to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. As Senior Director, you will be the enterprise connector and thought partner for Optum’s leaders, leveraging data driven insights to shape strategy, drive change, and deliver measurable business impact. You will lead the Optum People Analytics & Insights team and play a senior role within UHG’s People Analytics CoE, partnering closely with colleagues across Optum, UHC, and UHG to build scalable, efficient, and consistent solutions. This role is ideal for a senior analytics leader with a solid foundation in I/O Psychology, behavioral science, or applied research who has scaled people analytics to influence enterprise strategy and outcomes.

Requirements

10+ years applying conceptual/advanced analytics to frame hypotheses, test assumptions, interpret results, and convert findings into action
10+ years analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data to produce business insights
10+ years consulting with senior stakeholders and influencing executive decisions
5+ years leading or partnering closely with FP&A on financial drivers, impact sizing, and benefits realization
Demonstrated expertise in designing and building executive-ready analytics products, including dashboards, and reporting that connect workforce insights to business performance
Proven ability to synthesize complex analyses into clear, actionable recommendations, linking People Analytics insights to business outcomes
Proven solid data acumen with the ability to identify trends, anomalies, and data quality issues requiring investigation

Nice To Haves

Experience leading change at scale; comfort with ambiguity and evolving priorities
Working knowledge of HR data platforms (e.g., Oracle HCM, survey/experience tools), and data privacy/ethics for HR/PII (e.g., CCPA considerations)
Familiarity with the UnitedHealth Group businesses (Optum RX, Optum Insight, Optum Health, etc.) and operating models
Domain depth in People/HR and organizational systems, ideally within large, matrixed, or regulated environments (healthcare experience is a plus)
Expertise in applied statistical and research methods and techniques (e.g., forecasting, segmentation, validation, causal/experiment design) and translating them into decision-ready products
Advanced Excel and enterprise BI (e.g., Power BI, Domo); ability to partner or guide work in SQL and a statistical language (Python/R) for modeling
Track record developing talent and shaping a learning, growth mindset culture
Demonstrated inclusive, role model leadership that builds psychological safety and elevates the team’s craft
Demonstrated outstanding communication and consulting skills; able to simplify complexity for non technical audiences and influence without authority
Demonstrated systems thinking and organizational agility; global perspective on workforce dynamics

Responsibilities

Set the vision and roadmap for Optum People Analytics, aligned to Optum’s growth priorities and the UHG People Analytics CoE
Translate business goals into analytics strategies (descriptive, predictive, prescriptive) that inform decisions, quantify impact, and improve performance
Provide an enterprise “single source of truth” and consistent organizational views across Optum
Serve as a key advisor to the Optum CPO and People Leadership Team; shape strategies on talent, engagement, retention, and workforce planning
Design executive scorecards, dashboards, and standard reporting that track progress against core organizational strategies and CoE standards
Lead, recruit, and develop a high performing team of analytics & insights professionals; set goals, manage performance, and mentor for growth
Champion cross enterprise automation and analytics product development to improve efficiency and scale
Direct advanced analytics to solve complex business problems across Optum - including turnover and employee survey analysis, strategic workforce planning, and succession/mobility insights
Establish and enforce best practice methods for experimental design, forecasting, segmentation, and causal inference where appropriate
Uphold solid data governance, privacy, and ethics for HR/PII data; elevate data literacy across the Optum People team and business leaders
Partner with UHG People COEs and analytics leaders in UHC and UHG to align standards, share solutions, and accelerate adoption across the enterprise
Balance needs of multiple stakeholder groups while delivering on Optum’s analytics agenda