Senior Director, Clinical Project Leader - Remote

About the position 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. Position Summary The Senior Director, Clinical Project Leader is a pivotal, client-dedicated role responsible for driving exceptional outcomes in clinical projects through direct oversight of qualitative and quantitative client deliverables, client satisfaction (NPS), and the effective daily management of a matrixed consulting team for a client in the Northeast. The leader acts as the primary liaison between the client and internal teams, ensuring that project targets are met or exceeded through proactive leadership, strategic insight, and a relentless commitment to client value. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. (Must live in eastern time zone) 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.

Responsibilities

• Client Outcome Ownership: Assume end-to-end responsibility for delivering measurable and meaningful clinical consulting outcomes for the client across all assigned projects. Utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess performance, challenge status quo, and drive continuous improvement in project execution and client deliverables
• Client Relationship & NPS Management: Develop and nurture client relationships, positioning yourself as a trusted advisor and the primary point of escalation. Drive the client’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) by anticipating their needs, proactively resolving issues, and ensuring project satisfaction at every stage
• Matrixed Team Leadership: Lead and coordinate a diverse, cross-functional consulting team embedded within the client’s project environment. Assign daily tasks, set performance expectations, monitor output, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to ensure excellence and efficiency in project execution
• Strategic Project Management: Oversee project planning, execution, monitoring, and closure, ensuring all milestones are met on time and within budget. Employ best practices in project management, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication
• Qualitative and Quantitative Reporting: Align frameworks for capturing, analyzing, and presenting both qualitative insights and quantitative data based on OA Clinical Delivery and client structure. Regularly report project status, key findings, and improvement recommendations to client leadership through set leadership meeting structure
• Continuous Improvement: Identify, design, and implement process improvements that enhance client outcomes, team efficiency, and overall project value. Facilitate after-action reviews and lessons learned sessions to embed success into future engagements in partnership with the OA Clinical Delivery lead
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate regular meetings and status updates with client stakeholders, internal senior leadership, external partners, and consulting team to ensure alignment on project goals, deliverables, and timelines
• Issue Escalation & Resolution: Act as the central escalation point for client issues, concerns, or risks. Rapidly coordinate internal and external resources to deliver effective solutions
• Compliance & Best Practice: Ensure all project activities are in line with regulatory standards, clinical guidelines, and organizational best practices
• Knowledge Management: Encourage the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and domain expertise across the matrixed consulting team and the broader organization

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive experience in clinical project management, consulting, or healthcare operations
• 4+ years of client-facing consulting experience with internal and external stakeholders, serving as a trusted advisor by understanding complex needs, delivering tailored solutions, and fostering long-term relationships that drive business objectives
• 2+ years in a leadership capacity, including managing teams, mentoring staff, and driving strategic initiatives, with experience managing matrixed teams in a fast-paced, results-driven environment
• Experience guiding teams and clients through change, fostering adaptability, and continuous improvement
• Deep understanding of client relationship management, with a focus on delivering measurable value and achieving high client satisfaction (NPS) scores
• Demonstrated excellence in managing complex, multi-stakeholder clinical projects with a proven ability to influence outcomes, foster collaboration, and lead cross-functional teams to deliver both qualitative and quantitative results
• Proven skilled at interpreting and presenting clinical data, KPIs, and qualitative findings for strategic decision-making to executive leadership
• Proven exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to influence, negotiate, and resolve conflicts at all organizational levels
• Proven skilled in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet), data visualization software, and clinical documentation platforms
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 75%25 in the NE region
• Must live in eastern time zone to be considered

Nice-to-haves

• Experience improving inpatient care delivery efficiency in a management or consulting capacity
• Proven application of change management methodologies in hospital system inpatient operations
• Expertise in hospital data and systems, including EMR, decision support, revenue cycle, and supply chain
• Understanding of hospital costs and financial performance drivers
• Preference to candidates living in northeast region of US
• All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

Benefits

• 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.

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