Senior Director, Applied AI & Data Science - Hybrid in MN

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.

The Senior Director, Applied AI & Data Science is a strategic business and technology leader responsible for identifying, shaping, and delivering AI-driven transformations across the Medicare & Retirement business. This role partners closely with senior business leaders to uncover high-impact opportunities where AI [Data Science, Machine learning and Agentic AI ] can materially improve cost, operational efficiency, and member outcomes, and to translate those opportunities into funded, enterprise-scale initiatives.

This leader curates and prioritizes a portfolio of AI use cases, defines clear value propositions and success metrics, and builds executive-ready proposals grounded in business value, risk, and feasibility. The role requires strong executive presence to influence investment decisions, secure funding, and champion initiatives from concept through approval and scaled delivery.

This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Define and lead AI/ML strategy for Medicare & Retirement, driving end-to-end AI enabled software delivery aligned to business transformation with measurable outcomes
• Partners with business leaders to identify and shape high impact opportunities where AI can drive transformative outcomes. Develops executive ready use cases with clear value propositions and presents them to senior leadership to secure alignment and funding
• Requires strong business acumen, executive presence, and the ability to position AI as a lever for transformation-not just technology
• Own end-to-end lifecycle delivery of Software Engineering - from problem framing and design through development, deployment, scaling, and optimization of production grade Data Science, Machine learning and Agentic AI solutions
• Provide end-to-end technical leadership for building AI-native applications integrating AI/ML within core application architecture, data strategy, model development, and develop core products, ensuring scalable, secure, and resilient production-ready systems
• Embed responsible and secure AI practices across the delivery lifecycle, including governance, fairness, transparency, compliance, and adherence while adhering to enterprise security standards
• Build and lead high performing greenfield AI engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, team mentorship and engineering excellence
• Partner cross-functionally across product, finance, compliance, infrastructure, security, and business leaders to deliver integrated, enterprise-aligned AI solution
• Communicate AI strategy, delivery progress, and business impact with clarity and executive presence to senior leadership and board level stakeholders

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:

• 15+ years in IT industry with Master's degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related discipline 
• 8+ years of enterprise leadership experience defining strategy, architecture, and delivery across multiple teams
• 4+ years in Senior Director / VP level positions, leading largescale applied AI/ML engineering organizations (30 to100+ team consisting of engineers, data scientists, and ML engineers, across shores) delivering Data Science, Machine learning and Agentic AI solutions end-to-end production software platforms 
• Proven success building and operating AI enabled software products, from full stack application development to AI/ML integrated solution with $15M+ annual budgets in healthcare or similarly regulated environments
• Proven solid business acumen with ability to link AI investments to ROI, risk, and strategic outcomes
• Demonstrated executive communication skills and ability to influence funding and prioritization decisions
• Ability to work a Hybrid schedule in Minnetonka, MN

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep domain expertise in healthcare and regulatory frameworks
• Solid understanding of Medicare regulatory needs including data governance, privacy, and HIPAA compliance
• Proficiency in solving combinatorial optimization challenges through AI, and integrating them into mainstream solutions
• Demonstrated success in scaling GenAI and enterprise-grade ML capabilities across large enterprises

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 - $273,200 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.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.