Improvement Leader

IU Health; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University Health is seeking an Improvement Leader to drive process improvement across System Operations Support. The role involves partnering with leaders, analyzing processes with Lean principles, and applying PDCA to deliver breakthrough improvements. Travel to facilities for on-site mapping and building analytics capabilities are required.

Hybrid schedule in Indianapolis, IN. The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in Lean process improvement, with Green Belt or equivalent, and strong MS

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience.
• 3–5 years of leading process improvement in a Lean enterprise or equivalent within IU Health.
• Basic proficiency in MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Drive process improvement across System Operations Support at IU Health.
• Partner with leaders to ensure on-time completion of improvement projects and results.
• Analyze current processes using data and Lean frameworks.
• Apply PDCA thinking to achieve breakthrough improvements.
• Help departments standardize and spread best practices.
• Review metrics, identify opportunities, and run system-wide improvement projects.
• Travel to IU Health facilities for on-site mapping engagements.
• Build analytics and dashboard capabilities.

Skills

Lean process improvement

DMAIC methodology

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

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 Supportteam in the role of Improvement Leader.

We are seeking a self motivated, operationally curious, and process improvement minded professional to join a small, high impact team. This is a brand new position created to bring dedicated process improvement and analytics capability to the team that oversees IU Health's system wide outsourced and contracted support services including environmental safety, food and nutrition services, clinical engineering, and interpreter services. Working across all service lines and periodic travel to facilities across the state for process mapping and improvement work, this role offers significant autonomy, and the opportunity to build something from the ground up.

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

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

• 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 is 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.