Principal Data Scientist

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 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:

As a member of the data science team, you will report to the Director of Data Science and in support of Payment Integrity Decision Intelligence (PIDI) to build machine learning solutions and put them in production. A successful candidate will have a deep understanding of data analysis, statistical modelling and machine learning, data science experience in Python or similar languages, hands on experience with state-of-the-art libraries and technologies in machine learning and data processing at scale, and a track record of working with cross functional teams to deliver data science solutions into production.

As a Senior Data Scientist, you’ll help with setting effective drug pricing within our provider networks to meet client and pharmacy contract guarantees through financial and network pricing modeling, analysis and reporting. As you do, you’ll find that you can make a real impact while enjoying the resources, backing and opportunities that you’d expect from a Fortune 6 leader.

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 or Letterkenny offices and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model. 

Primary Responsibilities:

•    Work alongside other data scientists and business stakeholders to implement models from end to end, including data ingestion and preparation, analysis, modelling, performance tracking and documentation 
•    Assist with managing client and pharmacy financial performance by recommending or implementing price updates 
•    Owning and maintaining in house reporting and analytics
•    Identify and quantify impact of pricing strategies 
•    Communicate with cross-functional stakeholders to understand data content and business requirements 
•    Prepare reports and present these to various levels of internal staff 
•    Identify and recommend new ways to save money by streamlining business processes 

Required Qualifications:

•    Significant experience in analytical roles (e.g. business analysis, data science, data analytics, finance) 
•    Experience developing production-level code in Python 
•    Experience in predictive modelling/forecasting and drawing insights from data 
•    Experience monitoring data quality and building data validations 
•    SQL programming with the ability to perform effective and efficient querying involving multiple tables and subqueries 
•    Experience in creating visualizations using all relevant data to inform decisions 
•    Strong problem solving, quantitative and analytical abilities 
•    Experience in cross functional collaboration

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Master’s or PhD in a heavily technical discipline (e.g. business analysis, data science, data analytics)
•    Experience using Python data science/engineering libraries 
•    Experience with version control tools e.g. Git and Github 
•    Excellent communication, collaboration, and delegation skills 
•    Strong ability to plan and manage numerous processes, people, and projects simultaneously 
•    Experience with object-oriented programming
•    Experience with Azure or other cloud platforms 

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. © 2024 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.