VP, Head of Technical Product,Strategy & Program Management

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.

Within Optum Financial Technology (OFT), the presence of a visionary product leader is vital due to our platform ecosystems powering Application Modernization, Data Strategy, AI, and OI Cloud Migration. The Platform and Data Product leader position is crucial for advancing the Platform and Data strategy and key initiatives at OFT and will be responsible for overseeing the entire product lifecycle, from concept to launch and beyond.

This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of platform and data ecosystems, foundational services, cloud, customer needs, and technological advancements. This role will be responsible for ensuring we stay focused on key projects, and will steer product-driven growth, coordinate teams from various functions, and promote the platform and data direction throughout Optum and United Healthcare. This pivotal role bridges strategy and implementation, guaranteeing that we address not only the present requirements of our users but also foresee their future demands. 

Primary Responsibilities:
Strategy

• Develop and communicate a clear vision and strategy for platform and data products that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives (Vision and Strategy)
  
  

Product Development

• Lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle, from ideation to launch, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery. Ensure the foundational products and services are scalable, secure and delivers a seamless user experience. (Lifecycle Management)
• Conduct comprehensive market research (internal and external) to identify trends, customer needs, and competitive landscapes. Use insights to inform product positioning and differentiation (Ideate)
• Utilize data analytics to drive product decisions, optimize performance, and enhance user experience. Establish a culture of data driven decision making (Data Driven Decisions)
• Lead efforts to create exceptional user experiences, ensuring the platform is intuitive, user-friendly, and meets customer expectations
• Define solutions with high-value requirements, a compelling business case, clear product positioning, priority and strategic impact (Define)
• Facilitate the integration of agile methodologies and principles by championing cross-functional collaboration and iterative cycles using frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, or Lean to manage product development cycles efficiently. (Agile Methodologies)
  
  

Data

• Leverage deep knowledge of data and analytics to drive product innovation and differentiation in the market. Implement best practices for data management and analytics
• Lead efforts to establish and enforce data governance policies to ensure data quality, security, and compliance (Governance)
• Lead efforts to establish an end-to-end data strategy that includes data collection, storage, processing, and analysis to support AI applications and use-cases
  
  

Collaboration

• Work closely with technology, operations, information security, and other departments to ensure alignment and effective communication throughout the product development process. Drive collaboration to prevent duplicative technology investment and increase ROI
• Engage with key stakeholders, including internal customers, partners, and executives, to gather feedback and ensure product alignment with business goals
• Champion the use of Product best practices and help mature the broader Product community

Operation

• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and identify areas for improvement

Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing product team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. (Leadership)
• Manage ongoing product performance, expansion, financial health, roadmap and end-of-life decisions as appropriate (Manage/Sunset)
• Exhibit high emotional intelligence to manage resistance to change, address concerns, and support team members through transitions
• Serve as the product champion and subject matter expert for partners

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:

Preferred experience in:

o   financial services background 

o   domain expertise in banking, payments, information security and digital payments control environments. 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experiences
• 15 + years of experience in technical product management, agile product development, technical leadership, or related roles within the technology sector
• Proven experience leading agile product teams, or similar senior role in a platform and data technology company with a track record of success building cohesive technology product vision, strategy & roadmaps
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Deep understanding of cloud-based technologies, solutions, providers and deployment patterns
• Extensive experience with development and delivery of platforms (foundational product or service) that enables other products, services, or applications to function and interact at scale
• Technical understanding of AI and machine learning, with ethical and legal knowledge
• Deep understanding of data strategy, governance, and data lifecycle management
• Ability to think strategically and execute methodically
• Track record of building trusted partnerships with other leaders
• Proven ability to collaborate and strategize with executive stakeholders
• Track record of success change management and driving transformation
• Demonstrated creative problem solver with strategic thinking abilities

Primary Location: Bangalore/Pune 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management: Oversee and drive day-to-day project management activities for large-scale programs. This includes coordinating with both external vendors and internal engineering teams to ensure timely and successful delivery
• Vendor Coordination: Manage relationships with vendors, ensuring they meet project requirements and deadlines. Facilitate communication and collaboration between vendors and internal teams
• Experience with commercial technology products with P&L impact
• Data Governance