Principal Data Analyst-Workforce modeling and planning

Optum is a global organisation 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 diversity and inclusion, 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. 

About the Role:

At UnitedHealth Group and Optum, we want to make healthcare work better for everyone. This depends on hiring the best and brightest. With a thriving ecosystem of investment and innovation, our business in Ireland is constantly growing to support the healthcare needs of the future. 
Our teams are at the forefront of building and adapting the latest technologies to propel healthcare forward in a way that better serves everyone. With our hands at work across all aspects of health, we use the most advanced development tools, AI, data science and innovative approaches to make the healthcare system work better for everyone. 

Are you a self-starter with a passion for innovation, adaptability, and solving complex problems? If so, this opportunity could be the next big step in your career. We’re building powerful data capabilities to uncover breakthrough solutions and unlock untapped opportunities in the marketplace.
The Principal Data Analyst will be responsible for developing and maintaining the CHS business intelligence suite intended to drive excellence in financial and operational performance as well as delivering analytics, data solutions and data strategy support. The successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally with various business, data analytics and data engineering teams, have proven business analysis experience, and the ability to manage multiple competing business projects at one time.

In addition to core responsibilities, this role will play a key part in workforce modeling and planning—leveraging data to forecast staffing needs, optimize resource allocation, and support strategic workforce decisions. The ideal candidate will bring experience in building predictive models and scenario analyses that inform hiring strategies, productivity benchmarks, and organizational design. This work will directly influence how CHS scales its teams and aligns talent with business goals.

Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin office and telecommuting from a home-based office.

Primary Responsibilities:

•    Engage in business intelligence initiatives by developing and maintaining a robust BI suite for broader operational and financial performance tracking.
•    Partner with cross-functional teams to gather business requirements, define technical specifications, and deliver scalable data solutions.
•    Identify opportunities for process improvement and automation through data analysis and continuous feedback loops.
•    Communicate insights clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, influencing strategic direction and operational execution.
•    Lead workforce analytics and modeling efforts to forecast staffing needs, optimize resource allocation, and support strategic workforce planning across the organization.
•    Develop predictive models and scenario analyses to evaluate the impact of business changes on workforce requirements, productivity, and capacity.
•    Design and maintain dashboards and visualizations that track key workforce metrics such as headcount, utilization, attrition, and skills gaps.
•    Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Operations to align workforce strategies with business goals, financial planning, and organizational design.
•    Translate complex workforce data into actionable insights for senior leadership, enabling data-driven decisions on hiring, team structure, and talent deployment.

You will be rewarded and recognised 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 providing development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required qualifications:

•    Degree Qualified (BA, BS) in relevant field (analytics, mathematics, economics, business, statistics, engineering, or finance) or equivalent experience.
•    Experience working within technical and business professionals in a matrix management environment.
•    Proficiency in SQL and at least one scripting language such as R or Python.
•    Proven track record in driving change and influence individuals at all levels of the organization and to take appropriate risks.
•    Understanding of IT systems, databases, and other technology
•    Proven track record in developing strong networks and ensure collaboration and consensus building.
•    Demonstrated effective project ownership, management, drive & delivery.
•    Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills.
•    Excellent analytical reporting skills

Preferred qualifications:

•    Experience or knowledge of cloud-based data analytics e.g. (AWS, Azure, Snowflake)
•    Masters and/or PhD in Finance, Analytics, Economics, Mathematics, Econometrics, or other relevant field of study 
•    Experience in medical claims data including hospital, ancillary, and physician
•    Creative problem solving and critical thinking
•    Adaptability and flexibility to thrive in a dynamic business environment
•    Experience in prioritizing work on multiple complex assignments with ongoing deadlines

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.

All telecommuters will be required to adhere to the UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

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 marginalised 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.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveller community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug-free workplace. © 2025 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.