Optum Tech is a global leader in health care innovation. Our teams develop cutting-edge solutions that help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. From advanced data analytics and AI to cybersecurity, we use innovative approaches to solve some of health care's most complex challenges. Your contributions here have the potential to change lives. Ready to build the next breakthrough? Join us to start
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The Director of Technical Project Management will lead the successful delivery of complex, enterprise-scale AI and technology initiatives that are customer facing. This role is responsible for driving end-to-end program execution across AI product development, data science, platform engineering, and business integration teams.
The ideal candidate brings solid technical fluency, deep program management expertise, and experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver AI-enabled solutions at scale. This leader will ensure strategic alignment, execution discipline, risk management, and measurable business outcomes.
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
AI Program & Delivery Leadership
- Lead portfolio-level AI and advanced analytics programs from ideation through deployment and scaling
- Partner with Data Science, Engineering, Architecture, Product, and Business leaders to deliver AI solutions aligned with enterprise strategy
- Establish delivery frameworks tailored for AI/ML lifecycle (model development, validation, MLOps, deployment, monitoring)
- Oversee roadmap planning, milestone tracking, dependency management, and release coordination
Program & Project Governance
- Build and manage enterprise program structures, including steering committees, governance forums, and executive reporting
- Drive disciplined project management practices (Agile, SAFe, Hybrid, Waterfall as appropriate)
- Develop and maintain integrated program plans, risk registers, financial forecasts, and benefit realization tracking
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, data privacy, and model risk management standards
Technical & AI Delivery Oversight
- Translate AI technical concepts into clear business language for executive stakeholders
- Ensure proper integration of AI solutions into production systems (APIs, cloud platforms, data pipelines)
- Partner with MLOps and DevOps teams to operationalize AI models with monitoring and retraining frameworks
- Support model validation, testing, and production readiness reviews
Stakeholder & Executive Engagement
- Serve as primary delivery lead for executive sponsors
- Provide clear, concise executive reporting on progress, risks, and ROI
- Facilitate cross-functional alignment across IT, Product, Compliance, Security, and Operations
- Manage vendor and partner relationships for AI platforms and services
Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead and mentor a team of technical project and program managers
- Establish AI delivery standards, templates, and playbooks
- Build scalable PMO practices tailored to AI and emerging technologies
- Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
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
- 10+ years of experience in technical program or project management
- 5+ years of experience leading large-scale, cross-functional technology programs
- 5+ years of experience managing enterprise-level stakeholders and executive communications
- 3+ years of experience as a people manager
- 3+ years of experience delivering AI/ML, advanced analytics, or data platform initiatives
- 2+ years of experience with AI lifecycle (data sourcing, feature engineering, model training, validation, deployment, monitoring)
- 2+ years of experience working with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Ability to travel up to 25% for client meetings, workshops, and industry events
Preferred Qualifications
- PMP, PgMP, SAFe, or Agile certifications
- Experience in regulated industries (healthcare, financial services, insurance)
- Demonstrated familiarity with MLOps, model governance, and AI risk management frameworks
- Demonstrated background collaborating with data scientists and machine learning engineers
Key Competencies
- Strategic program leadership
- AI and technical fluency
- Executive communication
- Risk & dependency management
- Financial and benefits management
- Change management
- Cross-functional influence
- Results-driven execution
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 $134,600 to $230,800 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.
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.
