Program Director - Value Improvement Office - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Exempt) (Non-Union)

University of Southern California; Los Angeles, Northern (CA, KY); On-site; USD 138,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California is seeking a Program Director to lead improvement initiatives across service area operations, developing roadmaps and driving measurable performance, ROI, and sustainability. You will coach teams, partner with executives, clinicians, and business leaders, and establish governance structures for project execution.

The role requires senior program management experience, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to translate strategy into actionable roadmaps

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• 10+ years leading enterprise programs or large-scale transformation.
• 5+ years in leadership roles managing cross-functional teams.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Project or Smartsheet and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of business statistics and data analyses techniques.
• Ability to translate enterprise strategy into executable projects.
• Strong analytical thinking and data analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction.
• PMP and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.
• LA City Fire Life Safety Training required.

Responsibilities

• Owns and leads programs and multi-project portfolios within a service line.
• Drives innovation initiatives (Growth, AI, operational transformation) through change management.
• Leads program governance, including intake, prioritization, and sequencing.
• Oversees program budgets and ROI; ensures measurable outcomes.
• Translates strategy into roadmaps and develops PM frameworks and capabilities.
• Mentors project managers and program leaders to build organizational capacity.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data analysis

Problem solving

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree in Health Administration or related field

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

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

The annual rate 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.

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USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.