Operational Strategic Initiatives Specialist - Ambulatory Transformations

OU Medicine; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401(k) plan

Medical and dental plans

Job summary

OU Health is seeking an Operational Strategic Initiatives Specialist to lead end-to-end governance of ambulatory transformations. The role drives accountability for deliverables, engages stakeholders, and ensures timely decisions across initiatives.

The ideal candidate will manage scope, timelines, resources, risks, and deliverables from initiation through closeout, aligning projects with OU Health’s priorities and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business/healthcare administration or related field.
• 3+ years of healthcare experience preferred.
• PMI-PMP or Six Sigma Green Belt/Green Belt II within 24 months of hire is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end projects from initiation to closeout with charters, scopes, plans, timelines and budgets.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration among clinical, academic, and administrative stakeholders.
• Proactively manage risks, issues, dependencies, and change requests using governance processes.
• Produce executive-level status reports and dashboards to communicate progress and outcomes.
• Support process improvement initiatives to enhance quality, safety, patient experience and financial performance.
• Coordinate internal and external resources including vendors/consultants as needed.
• Ensure deliverables are feasible, compliant with healthcare regulations, and transitioned to operators.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Risk management

Data analysis

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management software

Job description

Position Title: Operational Strategic Initiatives Specialist - Ambulatory Transformations Department: OUHP Clinic Administration

Job Description

This position is responsible for end-to-end project governance, including establishing standardized methodologies and ensuring consistent execution across initiatives. The role drives accountability for deliverables, proactively addresses barriers to progress, and ensures timely decision-making through effective stakeholder engagement.

General Description

The Operational Strategic Initiatives II leads and delivers cross‑functional initiatives that support OU Health’s clinical, operational, academic, and research objectives. This role serves as a project manager that is accountable for managing scope, timelines, resources, risks, and deliverables from initiation through closeout, ensuring projects are executed efficiently and aligned with organizational priorities.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead assigned projects from initiation through completion, including development of project charters, scope, work plans, timelines, and budgets
• Facilitate cross‑functional collaboration among clinical, academic, and administrative stakeholders to ensure project alignment and execution
• Proactively manage project risks, issues, dependencies, and change requests using established governance processes
• Monitor progress against defined milestones, KPIs, and outcomes; prepare executive‑level status reports and dashboards
• Support process improvement initiatives that enhance quality, efficiency, safety, patient experience, and financial performance
• Coordinate internal and external resources, including vendors or consultants, as applicable
• Ensure project deliverables are operationally feasible, compliant with healthcare regulations, and successfully transitioned to operational owners
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders by providing data‑driven insights, recommendations, and problem‑solving support
• Apply standardized project management tools and methodologies consistently across initiatives
• Support organizational change management and communication plans associated with major initiatives

General Responsibilities

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field required.
• Experience: At least 3 years experience in healthcare required.
• License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Project Management Professional (PMP) or Six Sigma Green Belt or Green Belt II certification within 24 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of healthcare operations, clinical workflows, and academic medical center environments
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities
• Advanced skills in project planning, execution, risk management, and performance tracking
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and influence skills, including working effectively with physicians and senior leaders
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive‑level reporting
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and thrive in a matrixed organization

OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.

OU Health is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care.

OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and Edmond Medical Center in the heart of the Edmond Community.

Becker’s Hospital Review named University of Oklahoma Medical Center one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America for 2020.

OU Health’s oncology program at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center was named Oklahoma’s top facility for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020-21 rankings. OU Health also was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in these specialties: Colon Surgery, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure.

OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. Experts in prevention, treatment and cures, our team works to improve lives through innovation in medical care, education and research, while investing in the people, technologies and facilities that will enable us to achieve our goals.

We are seeking individuals who have a passion and talent for caring for others. By joining our team, you will provide quality health care to our community through the work you do every day. We provide clinical and non‑clinical opportunities to further your career and we invite you to explore our available positions.

Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or protected veteran status in accordance with applicable federal laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Reasonable accommodations are made to the known physical and mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities.