Job Description

Project Manager - Operational Excellence

The Project Manager - Operational Excellence supports initiatives that advance quality, efficiency, and patient-centered care across the health system, partnering with clinical and operational leaders to plan, execute, and sustain improvement projects that strengthen organizational performance. The Project Manager applies structured project management and change leadership to deliver measurable, lasting results, developing project charters, timelines, communication plans, and performance metrics aligned with system priorities. By facilitating cross-functional workgroups, the Project Manager ensures timely progress, risk mitigation, and alignment with operational goals while monitoring project milestones and preparing status updates for leadership, steering committees, and stakeholders. Additionally, the Project Manager leverages an awareness of Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools to analyze workflows, identify root causes, and design optimized processes, while simultaneously developing change management plans that support adoption, readiness, and long-term sustainability. Finally, the Project Manager - Operational Excellence creates training materials, communication assets, and stakeholder updates that support project success, collaborating closely with analytics teams to define KPIs, dashboards, and reporting structures.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Director - Operational Excellence

Direct Reports: None

Candidate Qualifications

Candidates for the position will be evaluated according to the following criteria and competencies.

• Bachelor's Degree in healthcare administration, business, engineering, or a related field is required.
• Requires 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Requires experience in project management, performance improvement, or healthcare operations.
• Requires a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
• Requires proficiency with project management tools and data visualization platforms.
• Requires the ability to lead at least 3 projects simultaneously.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent improvement certification is preferred.
• Experience in hospital operations, ambulatory care, or health system performance improvement is preferred.
• PMP, CAPM, or similar project management certification is preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards, quality frameworks, and patient safety principles is preferred.

Responsibilities

Connect to Promise - Demonstrates a commitment to IU Health's mission, vision, and values by exhibiting behaviors and delivering results that align with the strategic direction of the organization. Ensure IU Health is working toward its vision of improving the health of all Hoosiers by providing the best care for each person as we practice our values of purpose, excellence, compassion and team.

Project Management - Develops solutions with sound methodologies, guidelines, and best practices; makes decisions and solves problems within project plan parameters. Identifies patterns and potential underlying issues. Chooses best alternative based on consideration of pros, cons, and weighing various tradeoffs.

Business Acumen - Exhibits working knowledge of the department and function and how it is structured. Structures work to align with the goals and operations of department and function.

Execution - Addresses problems directly and implements objectives effectively. Produces on time, high-quality work deliverables. Able to apply basic project management principles, and ensure standard of work is in place and reflects leading best practices.

Collaboration - Coordinates job activities with team members and leaders as required. Finds workable solutions that can be leveraged by other team members. Seeks out and shares best practices for performing job duties. Engages, guides and mentors other team members as needed.

Leadership - Takes the initiative to proactively resolve issues, address concerns, identify potential risks, and improve overall processes and outcomes. Seeks new ways to improve individual and team efforts for overall success, while promoting collaboration and teamwork.
Communication - Shares thoughts and information in a clear, concise and professional manner, in both oral and written communication formats. Demonstrates active listening and seeks further information to ensure clarity and understanding. Promptly responds to requests for information, and works to proactively think through next steps and anticipate potential issues, requests, or business needs. Openly shares knowledge and expertise.