The Program Director leads improvement efforts across the service area operations to accomplish measurable business process improvements and objectives. This position may manage multiple project initiatives and will develop implementation roadmaps and facilitate action with concrete deliverables. The Program Director leads the assessment and diagnostic of problems, architects data analytics, develops performance dashboards, and leads and manages structured improvement initiatives, from large scale transformational projects, to focused improvement events. They will also acts as a coach for his/her team and for any directors/managers he/she interacts with to help them establish mechanisms to sustain performance after the completion of projects. The Program Director establishes collaborative relationships with stakeholders and administrators to build support for change and sustainability efforts.

The Program Director within the Value Improvement Office/Office of Performance and Transformation provides strategic leadership for enterprise improvement initiatives that advance organizational priorities, operational excellence, and value-based care. The Director oversees a portfolio of complex, cross-functional programs, establishes governance structures for project execution, and ensures measurable operational, financial, and quality outcomes. This role partners with executive leadership, physicians, clinicians, and business leaders to translate strategic priorities into actionable roadmaps, leverage analytics and technology to improve performance, and drive organizational change through effective program management and adoption. The Director develops project management standards and capabilities while mentoring project managers and program leaders to build organizational capacity for successful execution.

Departmental Specific Summary

The Program Director within the Value Improvement Office/Office of Performance and Transformation provides strategic leadership for enterprise improvement initiatives that advance organizational priorities, operational excellence, and value-based care. The Director oversees a portfolio of complex, cross-functional programs, establishes governance structures for project execution, and ensures measurable operational, financial, and quality outcomes. This role partners with executive leadership, physicians, clinicians, and business leaders to translate strategic priorities into actionable roadmaps, leverage analytics and technology to improve performance, and drive organizational change through effective program management and adoption. The Director develops project management standards and capabilities while mentoring project managers and program leaders to build organizational capacity for successful execution.

Essential Duties

• Program Management Owns and leads programs and multi-project portfolios within a service line Drives innovation initiatives (Growth, AI, operational transformation) through effective change management and adoption Leads program governance, including intake, prioritization, and sequencing Prioritizes workstreams within programs; influences funding and sequencing decisions Oversees program budgets; accountable for program ROI Owns measurable operational and financial outcomes for programs
• Business Analysis/Strategic Planning Translates strategy into prioritized, funded, and executable roadmaps Develops and scales PM frameworks, standards, and capabilities Analyzes information to define problems, develop hypotheses, and recommend logical solutions. Provides timely and accurate reporting, research, and recommendations.
• Mentorship, Communication, and Interpersonal Skills Leads and mentors project managers and program leaders Establishes and continuously improves project management standards, governance, methodologies, templates, and best practices. Develops and leads training programs for physicians, staff, in process improvement and project management techniques Partners with/influences executives and clinical/functional leaders Provides executive-level communication, reporting, and decision support
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Req High school or equivalent
• Req Bachelor’s Degree In a related field
• Pref Master’s degree In Health Administration, Nursing, Engineering or related field
• Req 10 years progressive experience leading enterprise programs, strategic initiatives, or operational transformation
• Req 5 years experience in leadership roles managing cross-functional teams and enterprise-level initiatives. Healthcare experience preferred.
• Req Advanced proficiency in project management tools (MS Project or Smartsheet) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint).
• Req Expertise in technical project management including stakeholder registers, project communication plans, RAID logs, change control logs, and detailed project schedules and budgets across enterprise level programs.
• Req Knowledge of business (operational, clinical and financial) statistics and data analyses techniques.
• Req Ability to translate enterprise strategy into executable projects
• Req Strong analytical thinking, ability to manage and analyze data, and problem solving skills. Demonstrates ability to work independently with minimal direction and supervision.
• Req Proven ability to deliver executive-level reporting, strategic narratives, manage stakeholders proactively, and lead diverse cross-functional teams. Strong interpersonal and diplomatic communication skills with physicians, clinicians, leadership, and community partners.

• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
• Pref Project Management Professional (PMP) Highly preferred.
• Pref Lean Six Sigma Green belt or above

Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital’s world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

The annual base salary range for this position is $138,445.00 - $228,434.00.
When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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