Product Lifecycle Program Manager - Remote

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 inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Product Launch Leader is a senior Program Manager responsible for leading complex, enterprise wide commercial launch programs aligned to the Enterprise Imaging roadmap and market expansion strategy. This role owns end to end program execution, ensuring cross functional teams deliver product launches and releases on time, within scope, and with measurable business outcomes.
The Product Launch Leader partners closely with Product Management, Sales, Sales Operations, Product Development, QARA, Marketing, Legal, Finance, Pricing, Implementation Services, Customer Support, and other stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and drive launch readiness or milestones criteria across the full lifecycle-from initiation through deployment and post launch stabilization.

This position requires a highly disciplined program manager with the ability to translate strategy into executable plans, manage interdependencies, mitigate risks, and drive accountability across a matrixed organization. The role also plays a key part in developing, standardizing, and continuously improving the Product Launch (PDLC) methodology, establishing clear metrics, and driving efficiency across launch activities including pricing, contracting, marketing, implementation, revenue recognition, and early adopter programs. In addition to launch execution, this role maintains ongoing program ownership post‑GA, ensuring delivery against business outcomes, managing enhancements and operational readiness, and leading structured product sunset and end‑of‑life initiatives.

Success in this role is defined by strong program governance, clear communication, rigorous execution, and the ability to lead multiple concurrent initiatives while aligning teams to shared objectives and timelines.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Own end to end program execution for new products, releases, and capabilities-from initiation through launch and post launch stabilization and across the full product lifecycle
• Develop and manage integrated launch plans that define scope, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, acceptance criteria, and cross functional ownership with assigned project teams
• Own post‑GA program execution, including lifecycle roadmap initiatives, operational readiness, cross‑functional enhancements, and delivery of ongoing business outcomes
• Lead structured product sunset and end‑of‑life (EOL) programs, coordinating cross‑functional execution across Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Legal, Finance, Implementation, and Support to ensure customer continuity, revenue protection, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness
• Drive program governance and accountability across Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, QARA, Legal, Finance, Pricing, Implementation, and Support teams in a matrixed environment
• Manage interdependencies, risks, and issues proactively, developing mitigation and contingency plans to protect timelines and business outcomes
• Lead and continuously improve the Product Launch (PDLC/GTM) methodology, ensuring consistent, repeatable, and scalable launch execution
• Establish and track program metrics to measure launch readiness, execution quality, and business impact. Milestones criteria are clear, reviewed and aligned
• Provide clear, concise, and regular status reporting on milestones, risks, dependencies, and decisions to senior leadership and stakeholders
• Facilitate launch critical meetings and forums, ensuring agendas, decisions, action items, and follow ups are clearly documented and driven to closure
• Coordinate pilot, beta or early adopter activities with operational leaders and product management, incorporating customer feedback to resolve issues prior to full market release
• Identify and resolve operational and service readiness gaps that may impact go to market execution
• Lead multiple concurrent launch initiatives, balancing priorities, timelines, and resource constraints without compromising quality or outcomes
• Champion continuous improvement, applying lessons learned to strengthen launch execution, governance, and cross functional collaboration

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:

• 5+ years of experience leading complex, cross‑functional programs, with direct accountability for scope, schedule, dependencies, risks, and outcomes
• Experience driving programs in a matrixed organization, coordinating work across Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Support teams
• Experience leading multiple concurrent initiatives with competing priorities and shared resources
• Experience contributing to or leading delivery of initiatives across multiple phases of the product lifecycle, including launch, post‑GA execution, and product retirement or sunset (e.g., PDLC, SDLC, GTM, enterprise release frameworks)
• Experience in healthcare technology, imaging, or regulated environments preferred.
• Demonstrated ownership of end‑to‑end program execution, from initiation and planning through delivery, launch, and post‑launch stabilization
• Proven program governance experience, including milestone definition, dependency management, risk and issue management, escalation, and executive‑level reporting

Preferred Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in information technology, engineering, business or related field

Critical Skills:

• Solid program management discipline, with the ability to translate strategy into executable, integrated plans
• Excellent stakeholder and executive communication skills, including clear status reporting, risk articulation, and decision framing
• Ability to drive accountability without direct authority, influencing cross‑functional teams toward shared outcomes and clear plans
• Risk and dependency oriented mindset, anticipating issues early and driving mitigation before delivery is impacted
• Metrics and outcomes focused, using data to assess program health, readiness, and business impact
• High level of organization and prioritization, able to manage complexity without losing clarity or momentum
• Process methodology and continuous improvement mindset, applying lessons learned to strengthen governance, execution, and cross‑team collaboration
• Ability to work under tight timelines and managing multiple projects simultaneously

*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 $112,700    to $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

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.