Director Data Analytics

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.

As Director, Data Science, this leader will oversee the Payment Integrity Decision Intelligence (PIDI) Data Science and AIML Analytics India team, driving data science and AI-led innovation, analytical excellence and strategic transformation to deliver measurable business value across clinical and non-clinical payment integrity programs through a high-performing team of data science and AIML experts The leader will champion a culture of innovation, scientific rigor and continuous improvement while establishing best practices for model development, validation, monitoring, performance optimization and building solid relationships with global analytics and data science teams Also responsible for advancing the PI organization's analytical capabilities through the development, refinement and deployment of predictive and prescriptive models that uncover actionable opportunities and generate measurable business value Primary Responsibilities: Lead Data Science and AIML India team, defining the vision, strategy, priorities and execution roadmap for AI, Machine Learning and Advanced Analytics initiatives that drive payment integrity outcomes and measurable business value across clinical and non-clinical value streams Build, mentor and develop a high-performing team of Data Scientists and AIML experts, fostering a culture of innovation, technical excellence, continuous learning, scientific rigor, accountability and business impact Provide strategic Data Science and AI leadership, partnering across business, operations, clinical, product and technology organizations to support broader PIDI data science strategy, identify high-value opportunities, influence key decisions and deliver scalable analytical solutions that drive measurable business outcomes Drive the end-to-end development and evolution of Payment Integrity data science and AIML capabilities, including predictive and prescriptive models, advanced detection engines and analytical solutions that identify Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Error (FWAE) opportunities, outliers or aberrant billing patterns, overpayments and gaps and leakage opportunities across clinical and non-clinical programs Serve as a hands-on technical leader and trusted advisor, providing oversight across the full AIML lifecycle, including problem formulation, data exploration, feature engineering, model development, validation, deployment, monitoring, governance and continuous improvement Establish robust model performance, governance and value realization frameworks, including success metrics, monitoring strategies, financial impact assessment, model validation and optimization processes to ensure sustainable business outcomes and maximize savings opportunities Champion the application of advanced analytics and AI methodologies, including machine learning, deep learning, predictive and prescriptive analytics, anomaly detection, simulation and statistical modeling to solve complex healthcare and payment integrity challenges Lead applied research, innovation and modernization efforts, continuously evaluating emerging fraud and abuse patterns, next-generation AI technologies and advanced analytical techniques, while translating research and experimentation into scalable, production-ready solutions that enhance detection accuracy, operational efficiency and business performance Establish and govern Responsible AI practices,