The Director of Transformation and Process Optimization is a pivotal leadership position responsible for managing an organization that implements high-impact initiatives in alignment with Uniteds corporate and operational strategies. This individual will function as a strategic partner to senior business leaders, influencing business strategies and facilitating process transformations at both the corporate and operational levels.

The Director will lead a team of exceptionally skilled professionals committed to continuous improvement, process optimization, and operational excellence across diverse locations and departments. Furthermore, this role will involve establishing and scaling the Analytics Hub Center of Excellence, which will supervise strategic planning, governance, and execution for United’s Extended Analytics and Innovation Organization, thereby ensuring long-term alignment with the companys strategic objectives.

This position presents a distinct opportunity to influence the future of process optimization and program management within a leading analytics organization. The impact of this role will be substantial, ensuring that our continuous improvement and analytics functions operate with efficiency, scale effectively, and deliver high-value results. Individuals who are strategic, results-oriented leaders with a commitment to process excellence, program execution, and business transformation are encouraged to apply and play a vital role in driving innovation and operational success within our organization.

Job Overview and Responsibilities:

Strategy, vision, and stakeholder management

· Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to senior business leaders, driving enterprise-wide process optimization and strategic initiatives.

· Lead cross-functional collaboration across multiple locations and departments to align initiatives with corporate and operational strategy.

· Identify growth opportunities, develop financial forecasts, and evaluate strategic investments to ensure long-term business success.

· Define and track key value and impact success metrics, ensuring that initiatives drive measurable impact and continuous improvement.

Analytics Hub Center Of Excellence Development Execution

· Build and launch a best-in-class Analytics Hub COE to oversee program and project management functions for the extended Analytics Innovation organization.

· Establish governance frameworks, standard operating procedures, and execution models to drive consistency and transparency in project delivery.

· Lead the prioritization, planning, and execution of high-impact analytics initiatives, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.

· Drive Analytics Community engagement across analytics, technology, and business teams to ensure smooth execution and adoption of strategic initiatives.

· Manage vendor partnerships, ensuring performance, accountability, and value-driven outcomes.

Continuous Improvement Process Optimization:

· Led a team of lean six-sigma/industrial engineers to identify, assess, and implement process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

· Develop and implement enterprise-wide process improvement strategies, leveraging Lean Six Sigma methodologies to optimize workflows and eliminate waste.

· Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence across the analytics organization.

· Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to track improvements and ensure alignment with business objectives.

· Define and track key value and impact success metrics, ensuring that initiatives drive measurable impact and continuous improvement.

Leadership

· Empower, coach, and develop team members.

· Establish department and individual goals, including performance reviews and career and performance plans.

· Responsible for developing and maintaining an overall sourcing plan that includes creative sourcing options and alternatives to ensure supply capacities meet work demand, the roles and skills required, and cost objectives.

· Assess and recommend organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities improvements.

This position is Hybrid to Chicago. Approximately 30% travel.

United values diverse experiences, perspectives, and we encourage everyone who meets the minimum qualifications to apply. While having the “desired” qualifications make for a stronger candidate, we encourage applicants who may not feel they check ALL those boxes We are always looking for individuals who will bring something new to the table

The Director of Transformation and Process Optimization is a pivotal leadership position responsible for managing an organization that implements high-impact initiatives in alignment with Uniteds corporate and operational strategies. This individual will function as a strategic partner to senior business leaders, influencing business strategies and facilitating process transformations at both the corporate and operational levels.

The Director will lead a team of exceptionally skilled professionals committed to continuous improvement, process optimization, and operational excellence across diverse locations and departments. Furthermore, this role will involve establishing and scaling the Analytics Hub Center of Excellence, which will supervise strategic planning, governance, and execution for United’s Extended Analytics and Innovation Organization, thereby ensuring long-term alignment with the companys strategic objectives.

This position presents a distinct opportunity to influence the future of process optimization and program management within a leading analytics organization. The impact of this role will be substantial, ensuring that our continuous improvement and analytics functions operate with efficiency, scale effectively, and deliver high-value results. Individuals who are strategic, results-oriented leaders with a commitment to process excellence, program execution, and business transformation are encouraged to apply and play a vital role in driving innovation and operational success within our organization.

Job Overview and Responsibilities:

Strategy, vision, and stakeholder management

· Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to senior business leaders, driving enterprise-wide process optimization and strategic initiatives.

· Lead cross-functional collaboration across multiple locations and departments to align initiatives with corporate and operational strategy.

· Identify growth opportunities, develop financial forecasts, and evaluate strategic investments to ensure long-term business success.

· Define and track key value and impact success metrics, ensuring that initiatives drive measurable impact and continuous improvement.

Analytics Hub Center Of Excellence Development Execution

· Build and launch a best-in-class Analytics Hub COE to oversee program and project management functions for the extended Analytics Innovation organization.

· Establish governance frameworks, standard operating procedures, and execution models to drive consistency and transparency in project delivery.

· Lead the prioritization, planning, and execution of high-impact analytics initiatives, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.

· Drive Analytics Community engagement across analytics, technology, and business teams to ensure smooth execution and adoption of strategic initiatives.

· Manage vendor partnerships, ensuring performance, accountability, and value-driven outcomes.

Continuous Improvement Process Optimization:

· Led a team of lean six-sigma/industrial engineers to identify, assess, and implement process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

· Develop and implement enterprise-wide process improvement strategies, leveraging Lean Six Sigma methodologies to optimize workflows and eliminate waste.

· Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence across the analytics organization.

· Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to track improvements and ensure alignment with business objectives.

· Define and track key value and impact success metrics, ensuring that initiatives drive measurable impact and continuous improvement.

Leadership

· Empower, coach, and develop team members.

· Establish department and individual goals, including performance reviews and career and performance plans.

· Responsible for developing and maintaining an overall sourcing plan that includes creative sourcing options and alternatives to ensure supply capacities meet work demand, the roles and skills required, and cost objectives.

· Assess and recommend organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities improvements.

This position is Hybrid to Chicago. Approximately 30% travel.

United values diverse experiences, perspectives, and we encourage everyone who meets the minimum qualifications to apply. While having the “desired” qualifications make for a stronger candidate, we encourage applicants who may not feel they check ALL those boxes We are always looking for individuals who will bring something new to the table

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

· Bachelors Degree; Operations, Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business Management, or related discipline.

· 10 years of experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, and program management within a data-driven analytics organization.

· 5 years of management experience in a leadership-related role.

· Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or higher) certification.

· Demonstrated successfully built and scaled governance, execution frameworks, and project management strategies.

· Experience with financial forecasting and management, strategic investment evaluation, and defining key performance metrics.

· Proven ability to manage complex programs, vendor relationships, and organizational change initiatives.

· Knowledge of analytics, data science, AI, and emerging technologies is a plus.

· Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external partners, vendors, and service providers.

· Collaboration skills to work across different departments and foster a team-oriented environment.

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

· Master’s degree in engineering or technology.

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

· Bachelors Degree; Operations, Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business Management, or related discipline.

· 10 years of experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, and program management within a data-driven analytics organization.

· 5 years of management experience in a leadership-related role.

· Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or higher) certification.

· Demonstrated successfully built and scaled governance, execution frameworks, and project management strategies.

· Experience with financial forecasting and management, strategic investment evaluation, and defining key performance metrics.

· Proven ability to manage complex programs, vendor relationships, and organizational change initiatives.

· Knowledge of analytics, data science, AI, and emerging technologies is a plus.

· Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external partners, vendors, and service providers.

· Collaboration skills to work across different departments and foster a team-oriented environment.

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

· Master’s degree in engineering or technology.