Job Details

Requisition number: 2342756

Job category: Banking & Financial Services

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 healthoutcomes 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.

The Associate Director - Credit Strategy & Analytics is a senior individual-contributor and team-enabling role responsible for advancing Optum Bank's credit policy, segmentation strategy, and portfolio analytics across Consumer and Small Business lending. This role requires deep credit expertise, strong analytical capability, and the ability to independently execute data-driven assessments that shape policy and strategy.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable diving into complex datasets, writing policy, influencing executives, and representing credit strategy in cross-functional initiatives, regulatory interactions, and vendor discussions.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Draper, UT or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Credit Strategy & Policy Development

• Develop, maintain, and enhance credit policies across Consumer and Small Business portfolios

• Translate analytical insights into underwriting rules, segmentation strategies, and credit criteria

• Support pricing strategy development using risk-return segmentation

• Evaluate and refine criteria for eligibility, verification, red flags, and exception management

• Portfolio Analytics & Performance Management

• Build and manage dashboards, early warning indicators, and portfolio performance monitoring

• Conduct deep segmentation analyses to identify trends, risks, and opportunities

• Perform forecasting, scenario analysis, and P&L impact modeling

• Present monthly/quarterly performance updates to senior leadership and the Credit Committee

• Data Extraction & Advanced Analytical Work

• Pull, clean, and analyze data using SQL and advanced analytical tools (Python, SAS, R)

• Investigate emerging risks, performance deterioration, or operational/systemic gaps

• Develop frameworks for ongoing monitoring, reporting automation, and root-cause assessments

• Cross-Functional & Multi-Level Collaboration

• Work seamlessly with analysts, managers, directors, executives, and Credit Committee members, adjusting communication style to each audience

• Partner with Risk, Modeling, IT/Data Engineering, Finance, Underwriting, Operations, and enterprise functions to design and execute credit strategies

• Collaborate with third-party lenders and originators to align underwriting methodologies, ensure credit consistency, and resolve variances in DTI, income, scorecard usage, and verification standards

• Governance, Regulatory Support & Audit Readiness

• Support regulatory exam preparation, credit policy documentation, and remediation efforts

• Provide data, analysis, and narrative explanations for regulatory requests and internal audit reviews

• Maintain strong governance controls across policy, reporting, and decisioning frameworks

• Preferred: direct experience interfacing with FDIC, OCC, CFPB, or state regulators

• Communication, Presentation & Leadership Skills

• Create clear, compelling presentations for executives, committees, and cross-functional partners

• Communicate technical findings in business language appropriate for senior decision-makers

• Influence outcomes using data-driven arguments and strategic framing

• Mentor junior analysts and guide analytical best practices within the team

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:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Economics, Statistics, Business, Engineering, or related field

• 8+ years of experience in credit risk, credit policy, underwriting, or portfolio analytics

• Experience writing or maintaining credit policy and underwriting frameworks

• Experience with segmentation, pricing strategy support, and risk-based decisioning

• Hands-on data skills: SQL required; Python/SAS/R preferred

• Understanding of consumer and small business lending products and credit bureau data

• Solid storytelling and presentation skills for diverse audiences

• Demonstrated ability to work across all organizational levels from analysts to executives

• Demonstrated ability to independently lead cross-functional projects

• Ability to travel up to 10%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a quantitative or finance-related field

• Experience interacting with federal/state regulators

• Experience with third-party originators or fintech lending models

• Familiarity with healthcare lending or point-of-care financing

• Background working with decision engines, credit models, and operational processes

• Deep proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel and PowerPoint)

• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment

• Proven sound judgment, problem resolution, decision-making, & experience working under strict deadlines

• Proven excellent conceptual, problem solving, and analytical skills

• Proven great communication skills, experience in storytelling and deck creation

*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 to $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

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.