Associate Director - Program Management - Six Sigma

About Optum
Optum is a global organization delivering care through technology to help millions live healthier lives. Our teams directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with care, pharmacy benefits, data, and resources they need to feel their best.
We foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and growth—offering comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Join us and help advance global health optimization.
Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Role Overview
Drive enterprise-scale transformation across Clinical, Shared Services, Underwriting, Contact Centre & other US Healthcare capabilities by leading a portfolio of high-impact programs. This role will own end-to-end program execution, governance, and outcomes, while building and mentoring a team of transformation leads (including consultants/senior consultants).

The role will work at the intersection of business, technology, and analytics, driving adoption of AI/GenAI, automation, and digital solutions to solve complex healthcare challenges and deliver measurable business impact.

Primary Responsibilities:
Program & Portfolio Leadership
Own and manage a portfolio of transformation initiatives aligned to strategic business priorities
Define and drive multi-year transformation roadmap, ensuring delivery against timelines, value realization, and KPIs
Ensure strong governance, risk management, and stakeholder alignment across programs
Lead execution of enterprise-level transformation programs (multiple strategic charters)
Transformation Delivery & Innovation
Drive process re-engineering initiatives across enterprise and keep the rigor
Identify and deploy next-gen solutions (GenAI, ML, NLP, RPA, Digital workflows) to solve business problems
Partner with Technology & Analytics teams on solution design, architecture, and implementation
Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Leadership
Collaborate with senior business leaders and Stateside stakeholders to drive alignment and outcomes
Act as a trusted advisor, influencing decisions on transformation priorities and investments
Drive execution in partnership with Automation, Product, Tech, and Data Science teams
People Leadership & Capability Building
Lead and mentor a team of Six Sigma Black Belts, Program Managers, and Consultants (including Associate-level roles)
Build a high-performance consulting culture focused on problem-solving, innovation, and measurable outcomes
Provide continuous coaching, feedback, and capability development
Drive talent pipeline, succession planning, and hiring
Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:
MBA Mandatory (Top Tier B School)
Certifications in Project/Program Management or Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred)
8+ years of experience (Post MBA) in Transformation / Program Management / Consulting
Experience managing large-scale transformation portfolios and roadmaps
Hands-on experience with automation and emerging technologies (RPA, AI/ML, GenAI, NLP)
Experience in change management and enterprise-wide transformation initiatives
Solid exposure to US Healthcare / Payer operations (Claims, Provider, Contact Center, Clinical, RCM)
Exposure to Design Thinking & Agile methodologies
Demonstrated success in stakeholder management across leadership levels

Preferred Qualifications:
Clinical Background or knowledge in US Health Care

Core Competencies & Leadership Attributes
Combines strategic thinking with strong execution rigor, governance, and delivery management
Applies LEAN & Six Sigma–driven problem solving to translate business needs into tech-enabled solutions
Drives stakeholder alignment through strong consulting, influencing, and executive communication skills
Aligns teams to a shared vision and drives outcomes through data-driven decisions
Champions innovation while balancing execution and continuous improvement
Builds, coaches, and develops high-performing teams