Manager Data Science - 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.

Quality at UnitedHealth Group means striving for excellence in everything we doin order tohelp us achieve our Mission. Simply put,it'sinour DNA and whywe'rein business - to help people.Our Mission serves as ourwhy;ourValuesunite us aroundhow we willachieve it. Because when we follow our Mission and live our Values, we deliver Quality.

Join Optum Health's Financial Data Management team as a Manager Data Science and lead a high-impact team at the intersection of advanced analytics and financial strategy. In this leadership role, you will guide a team of data scientists and data analysts in developing predictive and prescriptive models that transform complex, structured and unstructured data into actionable insights. Leveraging your expertise in statistics, machine learning, and data modeling, you'll drive innovation that supports the growth and operational excellence of our Finance & Accounting organization. You'll collaborate with stakeholders across finance, technology, and business operations to solve critical challenges and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions. If you're passionate about rolling up your sleeves and leading a team that turns data into strategic advantage, this is your opportunity to make a measurable impact.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Mentorship
  
  
  
  • Lead and manage a team of professional data scientists, providing direction, coaching, and performance oversight
  • Set team direction and adapt departmental plans to meet evolving business and operational priorities
  
  
  
  
• Exploratory Data Analysis
  
  
  
  • Perform exploratory data analysis on unstructured, diverse datasets typically measured in gigabytes or larger
  • Apply knowledge of statistics, machine learning, programming, data modeling, simulation, and advanced mathematics to recognize patterns, identify opportunities, pose business questions, and make valuable discoveries
  
  
  
  
• Predictive and Prescriptive Modeling
  
  
  
  • Design, develop, and evaluate predictive and prescriptive models and advanced algorithms that lead to optimal value extraction from the data
  • Use analytics and statistical software such as SQL, R, Python, Hadoop, and others to perform analysis and interpret data
  
  
  
  
• Prototype Development and Product Improvement
  
  
  
  • Develop innovative solutions driven by exploratory data analysis
  • Lead prototype development and contribute to product improvement
  
  
  
  
• Complex Problem Solving
  
  
  
  • Resolve problems and provide guidance to team members on complex issues
  • Perform complex conceptual analyses and provide recommendations for improvement
  
  
  
  
• Stakeholder Collaboration
  
  
  
  • Partner with stakeholders to understand data requirements and develop tools and models such as segmentation, dashboards, data visualizations, decision aids, and business case analysis to support the organization
  
  
  
  
• Delivery of Analytics
  
  
  
  • Produce and manage the delivery of activity and value analytics to external stakeholders and clients
  • Leverage subject matter expert views in the design of analytics and algorithms
  
  
  
  
• Forecasting and Planning
  
  
  
  • Forecast and plan resource requirements
  • Recommend deviations from standards
  
  
  
  
• Customer Needs Anticipation
  
  
  
  • Anticipate customer needs and proactively develop solutions to meet them
  • Serve as a key resource on complex and/or critical issues
  
  
  
  

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:

• 4+ years of managerial experience in data science, business intelligence, data analytics, or similar field
• Experience setting team direction and adapting plans to meet business and operational challenges and goals
• Experience performing exploratory data analysis on unstructured, diverse datasets
• Experience explaining what the data shows and clearly communicating recommendations to leadership
• Understand accounting controls, processes, and procedures
• Expertise in programming languages like Python, R, Hadoop and SQL
• On the job proficiency in building predictive models and forecasts
• Professional proficiency in applying statistical methods and artificial intelligence / machine learning techniques to analyze data and develop predictive models
• Proven advanced analytic, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience influencing forecasting and planning activities across departments
• Background in financial or healthcare analytics environments
• Familiarity with cloud-based data platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, Azure)
• Track record of delivering scalable, high-impact data science solutions
• Demonstrated ability to make product, service, or process decisions that impact multiple teams or customer groups

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

The salary range for this role is $89,800 to $176,700 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.