Program Associate Jobs in Newport, MN (NOW HIRING)

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. 

Congratulations on your real-world experience and your progress toward an advanced degree! If you're looking to (re)jump-start your career in a values-based, culturally driven community with a global footprint, look no further.

At UHG, we've built focused businesses organized around one giant objective: making healthcare work better for everyone. Through our two business platforms, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) and Optum, we strive to improve the healthcare system and advance the health and well-being of individuals and communities. This includes the entire spectrum of healthcare participants: individual consumers, employers, commercial payers, intermediaries, physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, and more.

For you, that means working on high performance teams tackling sophisticated challenges. It's a culture of optimism unlike any place you've ever worked, filled with incredible ideas in one incredible company.

Are you ready?

The UHG Leadership Experience (ULE) Full-time program provides select participants pursing advanced degrees with superior, cohort-based exposure, experiences, and development opportunities designed to develop the next generation of healthcare leaders. The program start date is July 27, 2027.

You'll have the exciting opportunity to work in person alongside leaders, peers, and cross-functional teams in Minnesota or Washington, D.C., building meaningful connections while taking on impactful challenges that help shape the future of health care.

ULE offers a rotational experience designed to provide broad enterprise exposure, hands-on leadership development, and meaningful experience across UnitedHealth Group's businesses and functions.

Through three eight-month rotations, participants gain exposure to Optum, UnitedHealthcare, and a third business area or function aligned to enterprise priorities, business needs, and individual development goals.
 

Examples:

• Behavioral Health
• Care Delivery
• Clinical Performance
• Corporate Partnerships
• Customer Experience
• Genomics
• Health Equity
• Product Development
• Risk Adjustment
• Specialty Pharmacy
• Strategy
• Payer

Rotations are scoped and assigned approximately three months before program start. Support is provided for finding permanent placement post-program assuming adequate performance.

Program Details: 

• Two years of programming
• Based in-person either in Minnesota or Washington, D.C.
• Support high priority work
• Assigned Mentors and Alumni Buddies
• Are available at Optum, UHC, and UHG (specific roles will vary year to year based on business needs)

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:

On top of your day-to-day work, during your ULE experience, you will:

• Gain exposure to and knowledge of the healthcare industry (including care delivery), Optum and UHC businesses, functions, strategies, and senior leaders
• Develop relationships and networks
• Receive hands-on training and support 
• Build AI literacy and practical experience using AI-powered tools to enhance problem solving, productivity, decision making, and innovation 
• Explore how AI and emerging technologies are transforming healthcare, operations, customer experiences, and business strategy
• Leverage business acumen and work experience to drive transformation
• Learn from and present to executives 
• Apply AI-enabled insights and data-driven approaches to identify opportunities, solve complex business challenges, and create value
• Contribute to fun and engaging cohorts
• Lay the groundwork for a meaningful and impactful career at UHG

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:

• Undergraduate degree
• Currently pursuing an MBA or other relevant graduate degree with a target graduation date no later than July 2027
• 5+ years of professional work experience
• Demonstrated ability to use AI-enabled tools responsibly to support research, analysis, problem-solving, productivity, and business decision-making, while applying critical thinking and independent judgment.
• Ability to work four days per week at either the Minnesota or Washington, D.C. program location
• Eligible to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship, CPT/OPT now or in the future, for employment-based work authorization (F-1 students with practical training and candidates requiring H-1Bs, TNs, etc. will not be considered) 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Outstanding academic achievement
• Consulting and/or healthcare experience and/or involvement with consulting/healthcare clubs
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills at all levels
• Practiced project management and navigating competing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and solve complex problems through strategic, analytical and creating thinking
• Adaptable and comfortable in ambiguity and high-impact situations
• High emotional intelligence and capacity to GSD (get stuff done) 
• Experience incorporating generative AI, advanced analytics, automation, or other emerging technologies into business strategies, processes, products, or customer solutions.
• Understands the responsible and ethical use of AI, including data privacy, governance, and risk considerations 
• AI-forward leadership mindset with the curiosity and adaptability to evaluate emerging capabilities and apply them to create measurable business value.
• Experience translating complex business challenges into AI-enabled opportunities in partnership with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Champion of change and customer orientation
• Learning/growth oriented
• Aligned to UHG's values of Integrity, Compassion, Relationships, Innovation and Performance

*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.

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.