Associate Director AI Operations Enablement and Analytics

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 Associate Director, AI Operations Enablement & Analytics leads the design, delivery, and scaling of AI-driven transformation initiatives across Optum Insight's Risk & Quality Operations, supporting both medical record retrieval and coding operations. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Operations Enablement & Analytics, this role is responsible for driving the integration of AI/ML, NLP, automation, and advanced analytics into core operational workflows to improve efficiency, scalability, quality, and financial outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategy
  • Translate enterprise AI and analytics strategies into operational roadmaps that drive measurable improvements across retrieval and coding functions
  • Lead the integration of AI/ML, NLP, and automation solutions into end-to-end workflows
  • Identify opportunities to improve retrieval rates, coding accuracy, turnaround times, and cost efficiency
  • Define and track business impact metrics including yield improvement, cost savings, and revenue lift
  • Ensure compliance with CMS, HIPAA, and responsible AI practices
• Execution
  • Lead end-to-end delivery of AI initiatives from concept through deployment
  • Partner with operations leaders to redesign workflows leveraging automation and AI decisioning
  • Implement solutions such as AI-driven chart prioritization, NLP document processing, and coding assistance tools
  • Establish program governance, KPIs, and execution frameworks
  • Drive adoption through training, communication, and change enablement
  • Monitor performance and continuously improve outcomes using analytics
• 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:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience leading AI or analytics transformation initiatives in healthcare
• 8+ years of experience with AI/ML, NLP, or automation solutions
• Knowledge of healthcare compliance standards (HIPAA, CMS)
• Solid understanding of medical record retrieval and/or coding operations
• Solid program and project management skills
• Proven ability to translate business problems into analytical solutions
• Proven excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Qualification:

• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma

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.