Principal Technical Project - Program Manager

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.

As a Principal Technical Project-Program Manager you will lead projects and programs from initiation to successful release. You will work with Technical Product Managers, Data Scientists, Engineering, and key business stakeholders and leaders to create an execution plan, actively manage a project timeline, achieve key milestones, define and report on project KPIs, and support release to production. Your role is critical to the timely rollout of releases to production and to ensure the project execution process operates smoothly.

In addition to program delivery responsibilities, you will play a key role in Portfolio Management by providing visibility into technology investments, resource planning, and financial performance. You will support enterprise forecasting cycles, workforce and capacity planning, capital and operating expense management, and portfolio reporting. This includes partnering with Finance, Product, and Engineering leaders to develop and maintain headcount forecasts, staffing plans, financial projections, variance analyses, and investment tracking to ensure alignment between business priorities, technology roadmaps, and financial commitments. Responsibilities also include supporting financial governance, reporting integrity, and executive-level portfolio insights.

Location: Remote Nationwide

You will enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Prepares project plans and drives the project from planning to implementation to production release
• Manages project schedule and task details by utilizing project management tools such as reports, tracking charts, checklists, and project scheduling software
• Monitors and reports on project progress to senior management
• Proactively identifies and mitigates project risks and issues
• Ensures we are accounting for critical dependencies within the project
• Collaborates with the other team members throughout the development lifecycle, including working closely with Product Managers, Data Science, and Engineering team members to ensure the set of activities required to release a product is adequately planned and managed
• Accepts ownership for taking on new problems and challenges and proactively explores opportunities to add value to the overall effort within the OIT&E organization
• Develop and maintain program resource forecasts, ensuring alignment between delivery plans, capacity, and funding assumptions.
• Monitor Capital and Operating (O&M) expenditures against plan; analyze variances and provide clear reporting to stakeholders.
• Partner with finance teams to support forecast cycles, budget planning, and investment tracking for technology initiatives.
• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with emphasis on responsible use of AI .

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:

• High School Diploma/GED
• 8+ years of experience in a project or program management role on software development projects
• 8+ years of experience delivering projects and programs in a matrixed environment
• 8+ years of working experience in project management tools like JIRA, MS Project, Rally or similar
• 6+ years of experience in change management and proactive risk management
• 8+ years of experience with resource forecasting, capacity planning, and Capital/O&M financial tracking.
• 4+ years of experience in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, automation, and dashboard creation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven track record in managing multiple projects or workstreams simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to work well with management teams, staff, and internal and external customers
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong persuasion and negotiation skills, including conflict resolution skills
• Ability to demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills

*All Telecommuters 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. 

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

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.

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