Director - Delivery and Operations- Optum State Government Solutions - Indiana - 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 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. Optum Insight State Government Solutions (SGS) partners with state agencies to modernize and improve health and human services programs through data-driven insights, advanced technology, and deep domain expertise. The organization delivers integrated solutions across Medicaid, public health, and human services to streamline operations, enhance program integrity, and improve population health outcomes. Leveraging analytics, AI, and configurable service models, SGS helps states navigate complex policy environments, optimize performance, and deliver more efficient, accessible, and person-centered care at scale The Director, Delivery and Operations will serve as the accountable leader for the Indiana client, owning end-to-end delivery, operational performance, and client satisfaction across all services. This role is responsible for overseeing execution, ensuring high-quality outcomes, and maintaining a strong, trusted partnership with a high-touch state client environment. Acting as the primary interface with senior stakeholders-including a highly detail-oriented and demanding CIO-the Director will bring strong executive presence, clear communication, and disciplined operational rigor. In parallel, the role will play a critical leadership position in supporting growth initiatives, helping to quarterback upcoming business opportunities (including program integrity work) while ensuring seamless alignment between delivery excellence and business development efforts. Our preferred candidate will be within the Indianapolis region, however we are considering qualified candidates from other regions as well. 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: * Direct responsibility for delivery oversight of large-scale program execution * Build relationships with clients to develop long-term data and analytics programs that add value to our Medicaid customer business operations * Work closely with the Account Executive and broader client team to capture account goals, build and execute account business plans, identify expansion opportunities, and support solutioning to drive profitable growth * Work with key client stakeholders and transformation leaders along with Optum analytics to identify and close gaps in current client data and analytics operations and facilitate needed change management to drive performance improvement and a service-oriented mindset * Own end-to-end client delivery and operations for Medicaid Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) and related state-based health systems, ensuring stable run, service performance, and compliance with contractual commitments * Partner with product, engineering, and innovation leaders to align delivery roadmaps with innovation roadmaps, sequencing modernization and capability rollouts to maximize client value and operational readiness * Drive delivery and operational excellence through adoption of AI-enabled tooling (e.g., intelligent monitoring, incident triage, testing automation, knowledge management), and through consistent use of proven delivery methodologies, standards, and governance * Support program P&L, building efficient, repeatable processes to deliver profitable growth * Guide a team of analysts, business intelligence developers, ETL developers, DBAs, senior consultants, and subject matter experts to deliver contractual requirements and data and analytics engagements * Lead the continued development of a data and analytics program in concert with the account executive to meet emerging customer needs, including strategy, operating model design, governance structures, data platforms and architecture, and talent acquisition * Lead implementation of client data and analytics transformation agenda including functional and technology roadmap and required organizational changes to support our client partnership and related agreements * Lead the development of standard managed data and analytics program structures and operating models to enable repeatable and scalable programs across a range of customer Medicaid programs * Act as a subject matter expert around Medicaid health system data and analytics function, operations, and governance * Convey the value story of managed data and analytics for organizations moving into value-based care, as well as innovative and/or high-end analytics 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 leading initiatives and / or projects * 5+ years of healthcare experience with knowledge and background in healthcare provider analytics * 5+ years of experience as a subject matter expert with proven track record in the areas of data management and information and data governance * 3+ years of experience working with C-level executives * 2+ years of leadership experience at the Senior Project Manager or Director level or above within a provider organization or healthcare analytics firm * Experience leading delivery and operational run for complex data platforms (e.g., Medicaid EDW) and integrated state health systems, including release management, incident/problem management, and service-level performance * Experience partnering with product/engineering teams to align delivery plans with innovation roadmaps, translating roadmap epics into executable programs with measurable outcomes * Experience contributing to account planning and growth motions (e.g., account business plans, pipeline shaping, SOW development), in partnership with sales/account leadership and delivery teams * Track record of driving continuous improvement and operational excellence through automation and AI-enabled tooling, establishing metrics, and standardizing best practices across teams * Ability to be at the client site every other week in Indianapolis, Indiana Preferred Qualifications: * Experience leading a health system data and analytics program * Experience with a State Medicaid program * Experience in understanding health ecosystem - understand parameters around how payers and providers are working, how they work together, and how analytics is enabling transformation * Experience developing new business and managing client relationships in a consulting environment * Experience in managing vendor/subcontractor contracts and Statements of Work (SOW) for information technology related hardware, software, and services * Experience and credibility interacting with 'C' level executives, including Medicaid and medical directors * Experience managing a team of data analysts, with proven success to mentor, guide, develop and grow the team * Experience implementing AI/automation to improve delivery quality and operational outcomes (e.g., test automation, observability, runbook automation, knowledge-centered service) * Experience supporting multi-state Medicaid data modernization initiatives, including coordination across state agencies, vendors, and compliance stakeholders * Background in information technology management consulting * Depth around clinical topics, disease prediction, disease states, strategic market assessments * Proven ability to communicate complex concepts verbally and in writing * Proven ability to work on multiple client engagements * 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 $134,600 to $230,800 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.