Director, Process Excellence

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company that's dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The People function is evolving how it delivers services at enterprise scale. We are seeking a Director, People Process Excellence to lead complex, cross functional process improvement initiatives and drive sustainable operational outcomes.

This role serves as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders who will also manage a small team. The Director applies Six Sigma methodologies to redesign end to end People processes, reduce complexity, and improve quality, efficiency, and experience. The role operates with significant autonomy, influencing outcomes through expertise, rigor, agility, and solid stakeholder partnerships.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead large scale People process improvement initiatives using Six Sigma (DMAIC / DMADV) and continuous improvement methodologies
• Define complex problem statements, success metrics, and future state process designs aligned to enterprise objectives
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve cycle time, and enhance employee and leader experience
• Create detailed process flow maps, RACIs, and documentation to clarify roles, handoffs, and accountability
• Partner and collaborate across the People function and enterprise stakeholders, including People functional leaders, core team members, and program leaders, to drive alignment and adoption
• Facilitate executive level working sessions and communicate progress, risks, and outcomes clearly and concisely
• Ensure solutions are sustainable through effective governance, standard work, and performance measurement
• Serve as a process excellence expert, coaching others in structured problem solving, systems thinking, and continuous improvement practices
• Lead and develop a small team of process professionals, providing direction, prioritization, and mentorship
• Manage multiple, concurrent priorities in a fast paced, evolving environment with a high degree of agility and flexibility
• Apply an agile mindset, adapting approaches as business needs evolve and balancing rigor with speed

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: 

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification
• 10+ years of experience in process improvement, operational excellence, or large scale transformation
• Proven success leading complex, cross functional initiatives in large, matrixed organizations
• Demonstrated experience influencing senior leaders and driving outcomes without direct authority
• Proven solid executive communication, facilitation, and analytical skills
• Moderate to advanced proficiency with process and collaboration tools (e.g., Visio or similar)

Preferred Qualifications: 

• PMP or other project/program management certification
• Experience in Human Resources, People Operations, or shared services environments
• Experience integrating process improvement with digital, automation, or AI enabled solutions, with an AI forward mindset
• People leadership experience
• Experience working in global or multi region environments

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 to $230,800 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.