Associate Director, Credit Strategy and Analytics - Small Business Line of Credit and Card - Remote

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 in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Associate Director, Credit Strategy & Analytics will provide strategic leadership for Optum Bank's Small Business Line of Credit and Card products. This role will be responsible for the development, implementation, governance, and ongoing optimization of credit strategies, credit policies, and portfolio management frameworks supporting product growth, profitability, customer experience, and risk management objectives.

The Associate Director will oversee credit strategies across the full customer lifecycle, including originations, underwriting, line assignment, authorization, account management, exposure management, portfolio monitoring, and policy governance. The role will lead a team of credit strategy professionals focused on origination and account management strategies while partnering closely with Product, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Operations, and Technology teams.

This position offers a unique opportunity to help build and scale a new lending platform and influence the future direction of Optum Bank's small business lending capabilities.

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 Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of credit strategies for Small Business Line of Credit and Card products, balancing growth, profitability, customer experience, and risk objectives
• Establish and maintain credit policies, underwriting frameworks, account management strategies, exposure management practices, and portfolio monitoring standards
• Provide strategic oversight of origination and account management functions, ensuring alignment across the customer lifecycle
• Manage and develop a team of credit strategy professionals responsible for underwriting, portfolio management, authorization, and account management strategies
• Monitor portfolio performance, risk trends, utilization, delinquency, losses, profitability, and customer behavior to identify opportunities and emerging risks
• Lead strategy design, testing, implementation, and optimization efforts, including segmentation, champion/challenger initiatives, and policy enhancements
• Partner with Product, Finance, Compliance, Risk, Operations, and Technology teams to support product development, business initiatives, and operational execution
• Present portfolio performance, strategic recommendations, emerging risks, and business opportunities to executive leadership, governance committees, and other senior stakeholders
• Lead credit governance activities, policy approvals, Credit Committee materials, audits, examinations, regulatory interactions, and issue remediation efforts
• Establish a scalable credit risk management framework to support future growth and expansion of Optum Bank's small business lending platform
• 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

• 8+ years of experience in credit strategy, credit risk, underwriting analytics, account management, portfolio management, or related discipline
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing analytical or credit strategy teams
• Experience developing and managing credit strategies for revolving credit products, small business lending, consumer lending, commercial lending, or card portfolios
• Demonstrated understanding of underwriting, exposure management, portfolio management, risk segmentation, and credit policy development
• Proven analytical capabilities with experience using SQL and analytical tools
• Demonstrated ability to identify automation opportunities and leverage AI to improve productivity and quality
• Demonstrated communication skills with experience presenting recommendations and results to executive leadership

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Small Business Lines of Credit, Business Cards, Commercial Cards, SBA Lending, or related revolving credit products

Experience launching new lending products or building credit-risk frameworks from inception

Experience leading both originations and account management strategy functions

Experience working with automated decisioning systems and credit-risk platforms

Experience supporting governance committees, regulatory examinations, audits, and issue remediation efforts

Experience with fintech partnerships, third-party originators, or embedded lending models

Experience developing risk adjusted pricing, credit line assignment, and portfolio optimization strategies

Proficiency with Python, SAS, R, or similar analytical tools

*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.

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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.