People Leader - Program & Project Management - Remote or Hybrid in MN or DC

Requisition Number: 2351561
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 Enterprise Information Security (EIS) team is responsible for cybersecurity across our organization. We support our business and members by reducing risk, rapidly responding to threats, focusing on business resiliency and securing new acquisitions.
We are seeking an experienced people and delivery leader to own and scale our Operational and Strategic project portfolio, outside of the Accelerator program. This role provides direct people leadership for a team of Project Managers and is accountable for delivery health, prioritization, and execution across operational initiatives, strategic efforts, and support projects (including select AI initiatives).
This role creates critical leadership bandwidth as the organization grows, enabling senior leadership to remain focused on portfolio level strategy, executive engagement, and outcomes while ensuring solid delivery discipline and team development.
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:
Delivery & Portfolio Ownership

• Own delivery health, prioritization, and execution for Operational and Strategic projects, including support and emerging initiatives (e.g., AI efforts)
• Ensure clear plans, dependencies, risks, and milestones are defined and actively managed
• Partner closely with initiative owners and domain leaders to align delivery to business outcomes
• Drive consistency in delivery practices, execution standards, and reporting across the portfolio

People Leadership & Coaching

• Directly manage 6 GL28 Project Managers (excluding the dedicated GL28 Program Manager role)
• Provide coaching, feedback, and career development aligned to PM standards and expectations
• Create consistency in performance, delivery approach, and stakeholder engagement
• Manage capacity, workload balancing, and prioritization across the team

Escalation & Risk Management

• Serve as the primary escalation layer for delivery risks, issues, and resource constraints
• Proactively resolve issues before escalation to executive leadership
• Maintain solid stakeholder communication and clear escalation paths
• Escalate with context, options, and recommendations when needed

Operational Excellence & Scale

• Bring structure and focus to work that spans operational execution and strategic enablement
• Improve predictability, transparency, and delivery confidence across non Accelerator efforts
• Enable senior leadership to stay focused at the portfolio and executive level
• Support the continued evolution of PMO delivery and operating models

What Success Looks Like

• Operational and Strategic initiatives are well prioritized, predictable, and on track
• GL28 PMs feel supported, coached, and clear on expectations
• Risks and issues are surfaced early and managed proactively
• Fewer reactive escalations and improved delivery confidence
• Increased leadership capacity for strategy, portfolio oversight, and executive engagement

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:

• 5+ years of demonstrated experience as a people manager of project or program
• 5+ years of experience delivering complex, cross functional initiatives in a large matrix organization
• 2+ years of experience leading, managing and/or mentoring project managers with/ without HR accountabilities
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities across multiple workstreams
• Proven solid communication, stakeholder management, and escalation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in security, technology, or enterprise transformation environments
• Exposure to AI, emerging technology, or innovation driven initiatives
• Experience scaling or maturing PM teams within a PMO or portfolio model

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.
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 $112,700 to $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
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.