Improvement Leader

Indiana University Health; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University Health is seeking an Improvement Leader to drive process improvement across System Operations Support in Indianapolis. You will partner with leaders to ensure on-time delivery of improvement projects and apply Lean and PDCA methodologies to achieve strategic goals.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years of Lean experience, a Green Belt or equivalent, and proficiency in MS Office. This hybrid, full-time role reports to the VP of System Support Services and involves occasional travel

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on Lean process improvement experience.
• Green Belt or equivalent is the baseline, not the ceiling.
• Requires basic proficiency in MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders and teams to ensure on-time completion of improvement projects and deliver expected results.
• Analyze current processes using data and Lean principles based on Toyota Production and High Reliability Organization frameworks.
• Apply PDCA thinking to achieve breakthrough improvements to support strategic goals.
• Assist departments in standardization and spread using Lean and change management methods.
• Review metrics, identify opportunities, develop countermeasures, and run system-wide improvement projects.
• Travel periodically to IU Health facilities for on-site process mapping engagements.
• Build analytics and dashboard capabilities.

Skills

Lean process improvement

DMAIC methodology

Green Belt

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience

Job description

Improvement Leader

Our team members advance our mission and exemplify excellence, compassion, teamwork, and purpose in all that they do. Indiana University Health is seeking individuals who embody these values to join our System Operations Support team in the role of Improvement Leader.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Vice President – System Support Services
Direct reports: None
Shift: Full time, Monday – Friday, hybrid
Location: Indianapolis, IN

The Scope

This role drives process improvement across System Operations Support at IU Health, including:

• Partnering with leaders and team members to ensure on time completion of improvement projects and delivery of expected results
• Analyzing current conditions of processes utilizing data and lean management principles based on Toyota Production and High Reliability Organization frameworks
• Applying Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) thinking to achieve breakthrough improvement in support of the business unit's strategic goals
• Assisting departments in best practice standardization and spread utilizing lean and change management methodology
• Reviewing ongoing metrics, identifying improvement opportunities, developing countermeasures, and running process improvement projects system wide and facility specific
• Traveling periodically to IU Health facilities for multi day on site process mapping engagements
• Building analytics and dashboard capabilities

Candidate Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience is required.
• Requires 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• 3-5 years experience leading process improvement in a Lean enterprise or equivalent experience within IU Health.
• Requires basic proficiency in MS Office.

The "DNA" for Success

Process Improvement Expert: You have 3 to 5 years of hands on Lean process improvement experience and are fluent in DMAIC methodology. Green Belt or equivalent is your baseline, not your ceiling.

Operationally Curious: You are not afraid to get into the basement of the hospital to understand how support services actually work. You ask questions, observe processes, and dig into the details.

Analytically Minded: You are comfortable working with data to identify trends, surface improvement opportunities, and build the metrics visibility this team needs.

Adaptable: Whether the work is in environmental services, clinical engineering, or food and nutrition, you bring the same structured improvement thinking and genuine curiosity to every service line.

Collaborative and Coachable: You work well alongside experienced OPEX leaders and are energized by the mentorship and coaching this team offers.

Strong Communicator: You facilitate process mapping sessions, present findings to leadership, and communicate clearly across a distributed team environment.

Eager to Learn Hospital Operations: Whether you come from healthcare or another industry, you bring genuine interest in understanding how large health system support services operate and a desire to make them better.

Indiana University Health is unlike any other healthcare system and we're looking for team members who share the things that matter most to us. IU Health leaders play a crucial role in advancing the mission of our organization and inspiring teams to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. As one of Indiana’s largest employers and the most comprehensive medical system in the state, our vision to lead the transformation of healthcare through quality, innovation and education, and make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states.

IU Health is the largest health system in Indiana with nearly 40,000 team members, 15 hospitals and $8.64 billion in operating revenue. The system’s programs in cancer, cardiovascular, neuroscience, orthopedics, pediatrics and transplants have received national recognition for quality patient care. IU Health, in partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine, bring together highly skilled physicians, researchers, and educators into close collaboration to provide world‑class care for children and adults and improve the health of patients and communities across Indiana.

Indiana University Health is dedicated to a fair hiring process and is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination for all individuals, regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, expression, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

We are an equal opportunity employer. IU Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.