Vice President of Product – State Government Solutions

Optum Insight is improving the flow of health data and information to create a more connected system. We remove friction and drive alignment between care providers and payers, and ultimately consumers. Our deep expertise in the industry and innovative technology empower us to help organizations reduce costs while improving risk management, quality and revenue growth. Ready to help us deliver results that improve lives? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Optum is a leading information, technology-enabled health services, and software business dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. We partner with governments, employers, providers, and communities to serve more than 146 million people, advancing a more equitable, value-based system of care. With over 190,000 employees worldwide, Optum delivers intelligent, integrated solutions that modernize the health system and improve population health outcomes.
At Optum Insight (OI), we combine data, analytics, technology, and deep domain expertise to support public and private sector clients. Within State Government markets, Optum partners with Medicaid agencies, Health and Human Services organizations, and other public-sector entities to design, implement, and operate solutions that improve access, affordability, program integrity, and member experience-while meeting complex regulatory and procurement requirements.

The Vice President of Product – State Government Solutions is accountable for defining and executing the product, solution, and platform strategy for Optum Insight’s State Government business. This role owns the market-facing product vision and architecture across Medicaid, CHIP, Healthcare Access (including state-based exchanges and integrated eligibility), advanced analytics, and program operations.  This executive leader is responsible for shaping modular, scalable, and compliant solutions that integrate technology platforms, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and operational services into productized offerings aligned to state priorities, procurement models, and regulatory frameworks. The role is tightly connected to Growth and market teams to anticipate policy, technology, and buyer shifts-ensuring Optum remains ahead of state client needs and competitive dynamics.  The VP of Product is the single-point owner for product strategy, roadmap, platform architecture alignment, AI strategy, and financial performance for the State Government portfolio. This leader partners deeply across Optum Insight, Optum enterprise teams, and third-party partners to deliver outcomes-driven solutions at scale, while maintaining an enterprise mindset and solid regulatory discipline.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

For all hires within 30 minutes of an office in Minnesota or Washington, D.C., you’ll be required to work a minimum of four days per week in-office.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Product Strategy, Architecture & Portfolio Leadership
  • Define and execute the end-to-end State Government product and solution strategy, spanning Medicaid, CHIP, Healthcare Access (state-based exchanges and integrated eligibility), advanced analytics, and program operations
  • Own the target-state product and platform architecture, including referential and future-state architectures, in close partnership with technology leaders
  • Lead the development of modular, procurement-ready solutions that align with state RFP requirements, CMS guidance, and evolving federal and state policy
  • Establish advanced analytics as a horizontal, unifying capability embedded across all State Government solutions, enabling improved access, efficiency, program integrity, and outcomes
  • Productize program operations as scalable, continuously improving platforms rather than bespoke delivery models
     
• Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Analytics Leadership
  • Own and govern the AI and advanced analytics strategy as first-class product capabilities across the State Government portfolio
  • Define how AI is embedded into solutions, including
    • Eligibility and enrollment decision support
    • Program integrity, fraud, waste, and abuse detection
    • Predictive analytics and performance management
    • Intelligent automation across operational workflows
  • Establish responsible AI governance, including explainability, transparency, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance aligned to state and federal expectations
  • Partner with enterprise AI, data, and security teams to ensure solutions balance innovation, scalability, and regulatory constraints
     
• Financial & Business Ownership
  • Own the product P&L for the State Government portfolio, including pricing strategy, investment prioritization, margin management, and multi-year growth targets
  • Partner with Finance and Growth teams to develop complex financial and commercial models that support state procurement structures, performance-based contracting, and long-term platform investments
  • Deliver against revenue, bookings, margin, and operating income objectives  
     
• Execution, Delivery & Compliance Partnership
  • Partner with Optum Insight Operations and delivery teams to ensure products are implementable, scalable, and operationally sound, with clear SLAs and performance metrics
  • Ensure solutions meet all state and federal compliance requirements, including CMS guidance, security standards, data privacy, and audit readiness
  • Continuously evolve offerings based on client feedback, operational insights, and regulatory change  
     
• Enterprise & Ecosystem Leadership
  • Build and manage strategic relationships across Optum Insight, Optum enterprise teams, UHC, and third-party partners to enable integrated, end-to-end solutions
  • Influence shared services teams (technology, data, legal, compliance, security) to align roadmaps and priorities with State Government product needs
  • Champion an enterprise mindset, balancing local market needs with scalable, repeatable platforms  
     
• Talent & Organization Development
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing product organization with solid State Government, analytics, and platform expertise
  • Establish talent strategies that attract and grow diverse product leaders capable of operating in a complex, matrixed, and regulated environment
  • Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, innovation, and mission-driven impact
     
• Market, Growth & Client Partnership
  • Serve as a core thought partner to Growth and Sales leadership, shaping market-facing strategies that anticipate state needs and policy shifts (“looking around the corners”)
  • Support state procurement cycles, including RFP strategy, solution architecture, pricing constructs, and executive-level client engagements
  • Act as a senior product and platform leader with state clients, regulators, and partners, building credibility through deep public-sector and technical expertise
  • Identify expansion, cross-sell, and modernization opportunities within existing state partnerships 

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 large-scale product, platform, or solution portfolios, with demonstrated success delivering transformational outcomes
• Proven experience owning and growing a P&L within healthcare, technology-enabled services, or public-sector solutions
• Deep experience defining product and platform strategies that integrate technology, analytics, AI, and operational capabilities
• Solid understanding of State Government healthcare programs, particularly Medicaid, Healthcare Access, and related HHS initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to influence across a highly matrixed enterprise, including executive and technology stakeholders
• Experience managing complex budgets, financial targets, and multi-year investment strategies
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred)
• 5+ years of experience supporting State Government or public-sector healthcare clients in product, platform, or solution leadership roles
• Experience across Optum markets, including State Government, Federal, Payers, and Providers
• Familiarity with state procurement processes (RFPs, RFIs), CMS guidance, modular system approaches, and large-scale platform modernization
• Solid servant leadership mindset with demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment to continuous improvement

*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 $200,400 to $343,500 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.