Sr. Director, People Team, Optum California

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Sr. Director, People Team, Optum California - Los Angeles, plays a pivotal role in driving the 2025 Optum CA people strategy, with a primary focus on driving the culture and people strategy across our Los Angeles Region. The role is also responsible for Optum California wide programs, including clinical workforce management and governance, clinical team member compensation and the implementation of our Ambulatory Care Excellence (ACE) model. This role is a key member of the Optum CA People Leadership Team and reports directly to the VP of People, Optum CA.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership:
  
  
  
  • Lead the implementation of the 2025 Optum CA people strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regional needs
  • Drive initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness, focusing on clinical team member experience, engagement and retention
  
  
  
  
• Support Optum CA in achieving the Markets Strategic Objectives:
  
  
  
  • Profitable Growth: Partner with the business to meet FTE, team-based care, ACE and M&A objectives
  • Build Manager capabilities: Build front line manager change and leadership skills
  • Retain Clinical Team members: Know our clinical team members well, anticipate challenges and mitigate through total rewards, career support and other relevant work
  • Create strong People Team Experience: Develop people team skills for the future (AI, data) that support career satisfaction and focus on collaboration across the enterprise
  
  
  
  
• People Business Partner Oversight:
  
  
  
  • Oversee and mentor a team of People Business Partners (PBP), providing guidance and support to ensure alignment with the overall people strategy and regional goals
  
  
  
  

Success Metrics:

• Successful empowerment of people managers to handle change
• Achieving a leadership effectiveness score with an MEI > 78
• Improved organizational health in the super region through effective leadership development and performance management
• Effective use of technology and data to drive people strategy outcomes
• Solid influence and collaboration across the matrix organization

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:

• 10+ years of People Team experience in a PBP or COE leadership role
• Proven experience in leading people strategy initiatives
• Solid collaboration skills with the ability to work across different regions and teams
• Expertise in change management, leadership development, and organizational design
• Proficiency in leveraging technology and data analytics to drive strategic outcomes
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively within a matrix organization
• Lives in Inland Empire, Los Angeles or Orange County or open to relocation to this market

The salary range for this role is $150,200 to $288,500 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with al minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.