Senior Director, Actuarial - Eden Prairie, MN or 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.

As the Sr. Director of Actuarial Services on the UHG Trend Analytics team supporting Optum Health, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering strategic analytics that shape how we understand, manage, and predict health care expenses across a diverse set of Optum Care at-risk populations (Medicare, Commercial, Medicaid, Exchange). You will lead a high-performing team responsible for producing enterprise‑critical actuarial analytics focused on forecasting and explaining at‑risk medical expense across Optum Care's value‑based business.

You will oversee the development of forward‑looking medical cost forecasts, trend analytics, and executive reporting used by senior leaders to manage financial performance, understand risk, and guide strategic actions. This is a high‑visibility leadership role requiring solid actuarial judgment, deep understanding of provider risk arrangements, and the ability to translate complex analyses into clear, actionable insights for executive audiences.

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:

The Sr. Director in this role will work with detailed claims, clinical, and financial data to deliver accurate, timely, and decision ready medical expense forecasts for Optum Care's at-risk populations. 

• Lead enterprise medical expense forecasting for Optum Care's value‑based businesses across Medicare, Commercial, Exchange, and Medicaid lives
• Own actuarial methodologies and assumptions supporting at‑risk medical cost projections, trend development, and risk assessment
• Oversee executive‑level medical expense reporting and forecast commentary, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and consistency across segments and markets
• Develop and evolve forecasting frameworks from inception through automation, including data sourcing, model design, validation, and governance
• Partner closely with Finance, Clinical, Operations, and Market leaders to align actuarial views with business realities and operational insights
• Serve as a trusted actuarial advisor to senior leadership-explaining forecast changes, emerging risks, and key medical cost drivers
• Lead scenario analysis and risk assessments to support budgeting, outlook, and strategic planning processes
• Translate complex actuarial analyses into concise executive messaging-clearly articulating implications, risks, and recommended actions
• Establish and maintain solid quality assurance, controls, and documentation across all forecasting and reporting outputs
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration within the actuarial team
• Mentor and develop actuarial talent; build high‑performing teams capable of operating in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments

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:

• Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field
• Credentialed Actuary (FSA or ASA)
• 10+ years of healthcare actuarial experience with increasing leadership responsibility
• Significant experience in medical expense forecasting, trend development, and risk management within payer, provider, or value‑based care environments
• Demonstrated ability to develop actuarial models and analytic solutions using large, complex healthcare datasets
• Proven track record delivering accurate, timely, executive‑level medical cost forecasts in dynamic environments
• Solid executive communication skills with ability to clearly explain assumptions, risk, and uncertainty
• Experience supporting or analyzing risk‑based or value‑based care arrangements, including capitation or shared risk models
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience working with analytic tools such as SQL, SAS, R, Python, VBA, Power BI, or similar platforms

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership experience within Optum, large payers, or provider organizations
• Experience forecasting medical expense across multiple lines of business (Medicare, Commercial, Medicaid, Exchange)
• Experience leading teams in matrixed organizations
• Consulting background supporting payer or provider financial strategy
• Demonstrated success influencing senior leadership through data‑driven insights
• Relocation assistance available; Eden Prairie, MN preferred (commutable candidates encouraged)

*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 $159,300 to $273,200 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.