Director, AI Innovation and Strategy - Life Sciences - Remote

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 in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Director, AI Innovation and Strategy - Life Sciences partners directly with executive stakeholders across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technology organizations to solve complex, high-impact scientific and operational challenges. In this role, you will lead multidisciplinary client engagements from strategy and solution design through technical implementation and measurable value realization. You will leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud platforms, and enterprise data ecosystems to shape AI transformation roadmaps, design scalable solution architectures, and embed responsible AI governance. This is a unique opportunity to spearhead innovative AI initiatives that accelerate clinical development, optimize operations, and directly improve global health outcomes.

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:

• Lead complex AI strategy and solution-delivery engagements, guiding clients and multidisciplinary teams from strategic vision through solution design, implementation, and value realization
• Serve as the primary day-to-day client contact and advisor to senior executive stakeholders, aligning business priorities, facilitating critical decisions, and managing delivery expectations
• Apply deep domain knowledge across life sciences functions (R&D, clinical operations, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, regulatory operations, manufacturing, quality, market access, and commercial) to design tailored AI transformation solutions
• Mobilize and lead cross-functional delivery teams across strategy, product, engineering, data science, operations, legal, and compliance
• Embed responsible AI principles, model risk governance, data privacy, cybersecurity standards, and GxP validation considerations into client solutions and delivery workflows
• Translate first-of-kind client innovations into repeatable, scalable offerings, reference architectures, playbooks, accelerators, and organizational capabilities
• Identify and shape strategic follow-on opportunities based on client needs, contributing to proposals, business cases, pricing approaches, and client account growth
• Mentor Senior Managers and engagement leaders, strengthening problem-solving methodologies and delivery capabilities across teams

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 in strategy, consulting, product delivery, technology transformation, analytics, or AI-enabled solution delivery
• 5+ years of experience with a management consulting firm (eg, McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, Accenture Strategy, or equivalent), including responsibility for leading client engagements and delivering executive-level recommendations
• 5+ years of experience working directly with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, or related life sciences organizations
• 5+ years of experience leading multidisciplinary client engagements from strategy through technical implementation and value realization
• 5+ years of experience serving as the primary day-to-day client lead for senior stakeholders and navigating delivery risks and executive decisions
• 3+ years of experience applying AI/ML capabilities, model operations, cloud platforms, data architecture, or productization practices to business or scientific challenges
• 3+ years of experience navigating data privacy, cybersecurity, regulatory validation, GxP, or responsible AI governance frameworks
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 30-40% to client locations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's, PhD, PharmD, or MBA) in a scientific, healthcare, technical, or business discipline
• Experience participating in proposal development, pricing strategies, business cases, and client account expansion
• Demonstrated experience mentoring senior engagement leaders and fostering cross-functional talent growth
• Demonstrated expertise in structuring ambiguous scientific or business problems and developing first-of-kind technical or AI approaches
• Proven track record of converting successful client innovations into scalable, repeatable enterprise offerings or reference architectures

*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 $134,600 - $230,800 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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.