Senior Project Manager I

Improve the lives of others while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Job Description - Senior Project Manager I ()

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Optum, the fast-growing part of UnitedHealth Group, is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business. Our teams are dedicated to modernizing the health care system and improving the lives of people and communities.

Serving virtually every dimension of the health system, we work with a diverse set of clients across the globe, from those who diagnose and treat patients to those who pay for care, deliver health services, and those who supply the cures. Our innovative partnerships provide technology and tools that enable unprecedented collaboration and efficiency. As a result, we can leverage healthcare data, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies to uncover insights and develop strategies that improve outcomes and reduce the cost of care.

At Optum, you'll be in the driver's seat on strategic initiatives that directly contribute to our mission of helping people live healthier lives. We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Project Manager I to join our Data & Analytics organization and help drive delivery excellence across a portfolio of complex, high-impact initiatives.

About the Role:

The Senior Project Manager I serves as a trusted advisor and strategic delivery leader, partnering with business leaders, product owners, data scientists, engineers, analysts, and operational stakeholders to deliver innovative data and analytics solutions that create measurable business value.

This role is responsible for leading complex cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation and adoption, ensuring alignment between business objectives, analytical capabilities, technology platforms, and operational outcomes. The successful candidate will be recognized for their expertise in project delivery, their ability to navigate ambiguity, and their skill in developing innovative approaches to solving complex business challenges.

As a senior individual contributor, this role provides leadership through influence, collaboration, and subject matter expertise rather than direct people management. The Senior Project Manager I will lead project teams, guide stakeholders through complex decisions, mentor less experienced team members, and serve as a key resource on critical initiatives across the Data & Analytics portfolio.

Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin or Letterkenny office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead complex data, analytics, reporting, artificial intelligence, and technology initiatives from planning through implementation and operational adoption
• Partner with business leaders, product owners, data scientists, engineers, and analytics teams to define strategic priorities, delivery roadmaps, objectives, and success measures
• Anticipate stakeholder and customer needs and proactively develop solutions that drive measurable business value
• Develop innovative approaches to addressing complex business, operational, and analytical challenges
• Conduct complex conceptual analyses to evaluate opportunities, solution alternatives, dependencies, business impacts, and implementation strategies
• Establish governance frameworks, delivery standards, execution plans, and reporting mechanisms to ensure successful project outcomes
• Serve as a subject matter expert and key resource for project delivery, implementation strategy, operationalization, and organizational change management
• Lead cross-functional project teams and facilitate collaboration across business, analytics, engineering, product, and operational stakeholders
• Forecast and plan resource requirements across multiple concurrent initiatives
• Identify, manage, and resolve project risks, dependencies, issues, and barriers to execution
• Review project deliverables, requirements, implementation plans, and work products, providing recommendations to improve quality, effectiveness, and overall project outcomes
• Facilitate executive-level discussions, decision-making forums, and stakeholder engagement activities
• Influence strategic decisions through data-driven recommendations, analytical thinking, and deep understanding of delivery best practices
• Mentor and support project managers, analysts, and team members through coaching, knowledge sharing, and guidance on project execution practices
• Drive continuous improvement through the introduction of new methodologies, governance processes, delivery practices, and operational efficiencies
• Authorize and evaluate deviations from established delivery standards when necessary to achieve optimal business outcomes
• Promote Agile, Lean, and product-oriented delivery practices across teams and programs
• Build solid partnerships across business and technology functions to ensure successful delivery of strategic objectives

You will 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 providing development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
• Proven significant experience leading complex projects, programs, or business transformation initiatives within matrixed environments
• Demonstrated experience delivering data, analytics, reporting, business intelligence, data platform, or technology-focused initiatives
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders without direct authority
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and drive execution within complex organizational environments
• Demonstrated solid analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
• Proven experience managing project dependencies, risks, issue resolution, resource planning, and execution activities
• Proven ability to perform complex conceptual analyses and translate business needs into actionable delivery plans
• Demonstrated solid verbal, written, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
• Proven experience communicating effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership
• Demonstrated proficiency with Agile delivery methodologies and project management tools such as Jira, Rally, Azure DevOps, or similar platforms
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands while maintaining a high standard of execution

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile, Scrum, SAFe, or equivalent certification
• Proven experience supporting data science, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or cloud transformation initiatives
• Proven experience working with modern data platforms and analytics ecosystems
• Proven experience within healthcare environments, including healthcare operations, analytics, or value-based care initiatives
• Proven experience implementing governance frameworks and delivery best practices across multiple teams
• Proven experience driving organizational change and adoption of data and analytics solutions
• Proven experience working within highly regulated or large-scale enterprise environments

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.

UnitedHealth Group is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation for any part of the application process, please call 1- to be connected to Recruitment Services. Recruitment Services hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

UnitedHealth Group is a registered service mark of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. The UnitedHealth Group name with the dimensional logo, as well as the dimensional logo alone, are both service marks for the UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.