Associate Director, Strategic Analytics and Applied AI - Remote
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States
- Work setup
- Remote
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Full time
- Experience
- 10+ years
- Category
- Ai engineering
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
- 10+ years of experience in applied data science, advanced analytics, quantitative research, program evaluation, workflow automation, or a related discipline
- Experience leading complex analytical or technology-enabled projects from problem definition through data development, solution design, testing, interpretation, and stakeholder communication
- Experience designing or implementing advanced analytics, machine learning, AI-enabled automation, or decision-support workflows using complex data
- Experience building repeatable data pipelines, automated reporting, analytical applications, or decision-support systems
- Experience translating technical findings into actionable insights for executive, operational, policy, or other non-technical audiences
- Experience reviewing technical or analytical work and mentoring or supervising analysts, researchers, or technical team members
- Advanced proficiency with Python and experience using SQL and R or comparable analytical tools
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate stakeholder needs, solve complex problems, develop innovative approaches, and work independently on critical issues
Nice to have
- Advanced degree in data science, industrial-organizational psychology, statistics, operations research, computer science, behavioral science, public policy, or another relevant discipline
- Experience developing production-oriented analytics or AI frameworks that integrate multiple structured and unstructured data sources
- Experience with API integration, data engineering, dashboard development, and automated workflow design
- Experience applying AI and analytics to workforce strategy, organizational health, operational improvement, healthcare, public-sector, or other complex regulated environments
- Experience designing large-scale surveys, assessment instruments, measurement frameworks, or mixed-methods research programs
- Experience with Power BI, Tableau, Qualtrics, SAS, or comparable tools used for data collection, analysis, visualization, and executive reporting
- Experience leading vendor-supported work, managing service expectations, or coordinating delivery across multidisciplinary teams
- Experience establishing practical standards for analytical quality, model evaluation, documentation, human review, and responsible use of AI-enabled workflows
Full description
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.
Optum's Enterprise Clinical Services Strategy & Planning team is seeking an Associate Director of Strategic Analytics and Applied AI to lead complex analytical work that informs enterprise priorities, operational improvement, resource allocation, and technology-enabled transformation. This senior individual-contributor role combines strategic analytics, applied artificial intelligence, data engineering, behavioral science, and business strategy to move high-value questions from ambiguous problem statements to rigorous analysis, scalable decision support, and practical implementation.
The role will serve as a recognized expert and key resource on high-impact questions involving strategic analysis, performance measurement, advanced analytics, applied AI, and workflow automation. The Associate Director will shape analytical approaches, lead workstreams, establish reusable technical and quality practices, review the work of others, mentor colleagues, and translate complex findings into practical recommendations for business, clinical, operational, and technology stakeholders.
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:
- Strategic analytics and decision support
- Lead the design and delivery of strategic analyses and AI-enabled solutions that convert complex operational, organizational, and market information into actionable insights
- Frame ambiguous business questions, define decision criteria and success measures, assess data availability, and develop rigorous analytical and implementation plans
- Develop analytical frameworks, scenarios, forecasts, and decision models that help leaders evaluate strategic alternatives, prioritize investments, and assess operational trade-offs
- Develop scalable analytical pipelines that integrate multiple data sources, automate repeatable processing, and produce documented assets for ongoing performance management and decision support
- Use Python, SQL, R, APIs, visualization platforms, and modern analytical tools to prototype, test, and operationalize solutions while maintaining reproducibility, traceability, and appropriate quality controls