Lead Technical Product Manager - AI Strategy

Optum Tech is a global leader in health care innovation. Our teams develop cutting-edge solutions that help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. From advanced data analytics and AI to cybersecurity, we use innovative approaches to solve some of health care's most complex challenges. Your contributions here have the potential to change lives. Ready to build the next breakthrough? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. Position Summary This role is seeking a strategic, AI-savvy technology leader to advance practical artificial intelligence, automation, and enterprise technology capabilities across the Kansas Health Plan. As an individual contributor and member of the local leadership team, this person will partner across health plan, state, regulatory, business, shared services, and IT teams to identify high-value opportunities and deliver solutions that improve operational performance, compliance readiness, member and provider experience, and workforce productivity. The solidest candidate will bring AI and digital transformation capability, a solid strategic mindset, and meaningful Medicaid and Medicare knowledge. This role requires curiosity, executive communication, relationship-building, and the ability to move from idea to execution in a complex matrixed environment while responsibly championing innovation that creates measurable business value for Community & State and the Kansas health plan market. Ideal Candidate Profile AI and digital transformation capability: Ability to identify and advance practical AI-enabled solutions that solve business problems and create measurable valueStrategic technology leadership: Ability to shape roadmaps, influence senior stakeholders, and connect market needs to enterprise capabilitiesMedicaid and Medicare knowledge: Understanding of managed care operations, regulatory expectations, and health plan performance drivers If you are located in Kansas, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges. Primary Responsibilities AI, Innovation, and Digital TransformationIdentify and advance practical AI, automation, analytics, and digital enablement opportunities that improve efficiency, compliance readiness, member and provider experience, and workforce productivityPartner with health plan and business leaders to prioritize high-value use cases and translate them into actionable roadmaps, solution concepts, or delivery plansChampion responsible AI adoption through appropriate use cases, stakeholder alignment, training and enablement support, data protection, compliance awareness, change readiness, and measurable outcomesConnect enterprise technology capabilities and innovation efforts to local Medicaid and Medicare market needs, ensuring solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned to strategic prioritiesStrategic Technology LeadershipServe as a strategic technology partner to Kansas Health Plan leadership, Community & State leaders, shared services, and IT delivery partnersTranslate business, regulatory, operational, and state partner needs into clear technology direction, priorities, and recommended courses of actionInfluence technology decisions with enterprise partners, health plan leaders, and state and federal regulators to advance scalable solutions, remove barriers, and deliver measurable value for stakeholdersProvide thought leadership on emerging technology trends and their applicability to Medicaid and Medicare operations, regulatory execution, growth, and health plan performanceMarket CIO Leadership and AccountabilityServe as the primary technology voice for the Kansas Health Plan, coordinating priorities, risks, dependencies, decisions, and escalations across local leadership and enterprise technology partnersProvide concise, executive-ready updates on technology priorities, risks, decisions, and progress to ensure leadership visibility and alignmentHelp shape and prioritize health plan technology demand, ensuring requests are clearly defined, routed through appropriate intake channels, and aligned to enterprise priorities and market objectivesMaintain an ownership mindset for follow-through by tracking commitments, clarifying owners, and ensuring open items move toward resolutionRelationship Building and Stakeholder PartnershipBuild trusted relationships with state and federal partners, health plan leaders, IT teams, shared services, vendors, and business stakeholdersRepresent UnitedHealthcare in state and federal regulatory meetings with a balanced understanding of business priorities, technology capabilities, and compliance obligationsCommunicate complex technology topics in clear, practical, executive-ready language for technical and non-technical audiencesFoster collaboration so technology solutions are understood, supported, and effectively adoptedRegulatory, Growth, and Health Plan EffectivenessProvide subject matter expertise on health plan capabilities such as claims, member, clinical, provider, X12 transactions, eligibility, reporting, quality, and compliance processesSupport regulatory and growth initiatives by translating requirements into technology needs and practical implementation approachesInfluence state requirements, timelines, and solution design through recommendations, clarifying questions, and constructive feedbackCollaborate with other managed care organizations, where appropriate, to support common processes, realistic timelines, and effective state deliverablesPerformance, Compliance, and Operational ExcellenceEnsure IT applications, operations, data exchanges, and technology platforms support health plan needs and state contractual requirementsSupport compliance with required data exchanges, including 834, 837, 820, provider files, and other state-required transactionsPartner with leaders to assess funding, timing, resources, risks, dependencies, and operational impacts, while advocating for technology investments and enablements that align with enterprise priorities, responsible use of capital improvement funding, and measurable stakeholder valueReview and challenge estimates, plans, and delivery approaches to help drive efficient, scalable, and sustainable solutions 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 Undergraduate degree or 5+ years of professional IT experience7+ years of experience delivering technology-enabled business improvements that enhance operational performance, efficiency, compliance readiness, or stakeholder experience5+ years of experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading through a large, matrixed enterprise environment5+ years of professional IT, technology leadership, digital transformation, product, or equivalent related experience3+ years of experience developing technology strategies, roadmaps, business cases, solution recommendations, or implementation plans3+ years of Medicaid, Medicare, managed care, health plan, or healthcare operations experience2+ years of experience designing, deploying, or scaling AI-powered solutions, intelligent workflows, analytics products, or productivity tools2+ years of experience with responsible AI considerations, including privacy, security, compliance, governance, change management, and adoption readinessDriver's License and access to a reliable transportation Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in computer science, data science, engineering, healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field3+ years of experience applying AI or automation to Medicaid, Medicare, managed care, regulatory, clinical, claims, provider, member, or quality processesDemonstrated experience turning ambiguous business problems into clear use cases, roadmaps, or product strategiesExperience supporting RFPs, growth initiatives, regulatory implementations, audit readiness, state deliverables, or state partner technology commitmentsSolid understanding of Medicaid and/or Medicare operations, state and federal regulatory requirements, managed care models, and health plan performance driversProven solid communication, problem-solving, relationship-building, and executive presence skills 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 - $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. 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.