Advisory Services Analyst - SQL, Python

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.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Act as the Data Steward and primary point of contact for client data management, carrier relationships, vendor coordination, and issue resolution
• Integrate, analyze, and process raw data from multiple external suppliers to support healthcare analytics use cases
• Validate, transform, and load data into the enterprise data warehouse while ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and integrity
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams for onboarding, implementation, production support, and issue resolution
• Perform data standardization and transformation using internal ETL tools and frameworks
• Conduct data quality reviews, root cause analysis, trend analysis, and issue remediation activities
• Deliver customized analytical outputs aligned with client and business requirements
• Manage SFTP processes, including setup, configuration, access management, and maintenance for secure data exchange
• Provide database support using Snowflake and develop queries to analyze complex processed datasets
• Implement preprocessor programming to clean, organize, and enhance raw datasets for improved quality and usability
  • Execute data enrichment activities, including:
  • Raw data grain modification
  • Claims proration
  • Crosswalk-based indexing and data merging
  • Creation of derived and calculated fields
• Perform end-to-end data validation through analytical querying, manual verification, and trend analysis
• Ensure datasets meet established quality standards by validating patterns, default values, and identifying anomalies before integration
• Collaborate with data analysts, governance teams, and business stakeholders to design and enhance data solutions that support organizational objectives
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to enhance productivity and innovation by streamlining workflows and automating repetitive tasks. Evaluate emerging trends to drive continuous improvement and strategic innovation
• Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 2+ years of experience in Data Analytics, Data Mining, ETL Processing, or related roles
• Experience with distributed data processing frameworks, particularly PySpark
• Experience with SFTP-based file transfer and data exchange processes
• Python & PySpark Development - Hands-on experience with Python and functional knowledge of PySpark for data processing, transformation, and analytics. Concepts like dataframes transformations, withcolumn, Spark SQL
• Data Quality & Validation - Experience performing data validation, identifying and troubleshooting data quality issues, conducting root cause analysis, and ensuring data accuracy and integrity across datasets
• Database & Data Management - Experience with Snowflake, SFTP data exchange processes, Ability to understand functional relationships between datasets, identify appropriate merge/join keys, determine data grain and levels of detail, and analyze correlations to support accurate data integration and analytics
• Knowledge of healthcare analytics, payer data, eligibility data, and claims data concepts (preferred)
• Familiarity with data quality frameworks, validation methodologies, and data governance practices
• Understanding of SAS and migration methodologies from SAS to PySpark (preferred)
• Proficiency in Python and intermediate-level PySpark development
• Strong SQL & Data Analytics Expertise - Proficiency in complex SQL queries, data validation, troubleshooting, trend analysis, and data quality assessments
• Proven solid expertise in SQL, including:
  • Complex queries and joins
  • Performance optimization
  • Data validation and troubleshooting
• Proven basic awareness of AI/ML concepts, terminology, and data-driven initiatives
• Proven solid analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking capabilities
• Proven excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Stakeholder & Cross-functional Collaboration - Proven solid communication, problem-solving, and coordination skills to work with clients, vendors, business stakeholders, and technical teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Healthcare data domain knowledge (claims, eligibility, payer data)
• Understanding of SAS and experience in SAS and SAS-to-PySpark migration
• Basic understanding of AI/ML concepts and data-driven initiatives.

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.