Principal Data Analyst

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.

What happens after a major client deal is signed? Did it perform as expected? If not, what changed, and what can we learn before the next deal is priced? 

As a Principal Data Analyst at OptumRx, you'll tackle those questions with data. You'll bring together information from pricing models, financial forecasts and actual results to reveal how deals perform over time. You'll investigate unexpected changes, build clear ways to monitor profitability and help colleagues make better-informed decisions. 

This is an opportunity for an analyst who enjoys solving difficult, open-ended problems, working hands-on with SQL and Python, and turning complex data into insights people can act on. You'll have room to shape the analytical approach, not simply maintain an established set of reports.  

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

What you'll do:

• Use SQL and Python to connect large, complex datasets and compare what was expected with what actually happened
• Investigate differences in rebate and network performance, finding the underlying patterns rather than stopping at a headline variance
• Develop analytical models, visualisations and monitoring tools that make emerging risks and opportunities easier to spot
• Test how well past assumptions held up, explore trends in areas such as medicine use and pricing, and share findings that can improve future forecasts and deals
• Build a deal "check book" that follows deals from the point they are underwritten through their in-year performance. Show expected and cumulative profitability, how the outlook changes, and where margin was deliberately given up or risk accepted as part of a deal
• Work with partners across analytics, underwriting and finance to validate results, ask good questions and turn findings into practical recommendations
• Make your work trustworthy and reusable through clear definitions, documented methods and sensible quality checks

You will 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 providing development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Relevant degree or equivalent practical experience
• Proven experience using both SQL and Python to analyze complex data and solve business problems
• Proven experience in data analytics, financial analysis, pricing, forecasting, or a related quantitative discipline
• Demonstrated solid analytical judgment, with the ability to evaluate incomplete or inconsistent data, test hypotheses, and communicate evidence-based conclusions
• Proven experience building analytical models and solutions that support business decision-making and drive actionable outcomes
• Proven ability to communicate technical findings clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise and collaborate effectively across teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience working with Databricks, Power BI, and advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities
• Proven experience analyzing profitability, forecast accuracy, product performance, or client contract performance
• Proven experience within healthcare, Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM), insurance, or related industries

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.  

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.


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. © 2026 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.

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