Principal Data Scientist

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:

In healthcare, evolution doesn’t just happen. It takes innovation, imagination, and a passion for solving problems in new and better ways. And innovation is taking place at a lightning-fast pace every day at Optum. 
As the fastest growing part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, we’re expanding our team in Ireland and creating excellent opportunities for those who want greater purpose and more impact in their work. We’ll provide the investment, support, and resources to advance your career. You’ll provide the talent, ambition, and drive. 
As a Principal Data Scientist, you will oversee the development of innovative pricing strategies that drive value for our clients and members. You will leverage your expertise in data science and leadership skills to guide and mentor your team, ensuring the successful implementation and continuous improvement of these strategies.

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 of a Principal Data Scientist:

•    Lead a team of data scientists in developing and deploying price prediction models, associated data transformations and analytics solutions.
•    Provide strategic direction and leadership to the data science team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
•    Leverage technical analytical expertise and big data analytics infrastructure across the enterprise to architect, deploy, and oversee integrated analytics/business technology solutions
•    Be a thought leader and coach in applying data science methods, coding practices and latest technologies
•    Identify opportunities for new pricing and technical strategies and influence related management decisions
•    Collaborate with fellow data scientists, business analysts, subject matter experts and IT to design and oversee the development of working prototypes of data science solutions.
•    Manage and allocate resources effectively to meet project deadlines and business objectives
•    Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to influence decision-making and drive data-driven strategies
•    Monitor industry trends and advancements in data science to ensure the team’s practices remain cutting-edge and competitive
•    Oversee and conduct price changes
•    Drive improvement in standards and quality
•    Engage with internal business and system delivery practices.
•    Communicate plans, designs, analytic results, and predictive models to business partners.

Required Qualifications of a Principal Data Scientist:

•    Degree in applied mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, statistics, bioinformatics, actuarial science or similar.
•    Proven track record of leading data scientists and managing complex data projects. Skilled in mentoring team members, fostering collaboration, and driving innovative solutions.
•    Track record of delivering prediction models (/machine learning) and analytics solutions into production for real-world use.
•    Experience developing data visualization solutions.
•    Experience in working with temporal data.
•    Advanced expertise in coding with Python and SQL, including extensive experience in developing and maintaining production-level code.
•    Experience solving business problems using technical solutions.
•    Experience owning and delivering projects that deliver real business value.
•    Exceptional ability to communicate technical concepts and insights to stakeholders at all levels across the organization. Strong presentation and influencing skills.
•    Experience working within a team applying the Agile framework
•    Team player that can successfully manage multiple activities, assess priorities and achieve solutions under tight deadlines for themselves

Preferred Qualifications of a Principal Data Scientist:

•    Master’s or PhD relating to the role, or equivalent experience
•    Demonstrated experience with cloud platforms, ideally Microsoft Azure and Databricks.
•    Hands-on experience working with big data technologies
•    Experience building and maintaining ETL pipelines
•    Experience with MLOps practices, including the integration and automation of machine learning workflows

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.