Project Manager I

Cayuga Medical Center; Town of Ithaca (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Centralus Health seeks a Project Manager I to lead the direction, coordination, and delivery of strategic projects across departments. You will work with healthcare professionals, department heads, and external stakeholders to improve operational efficiency and patient care.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least 1 year of PM experience, with certifications (PMP/CAPM/Six Sigma) preferred and a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required; experience may be considered in lieu.
• 1 year of project management experience is required.
• PM certifications (PMP, CAPM or Six Sigma) are highly desirable and encouraged within 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Oversee overall direction, coordination, and completion of projects.
• Develop detailed project plans with deadlines, tasks, and resources.
• Engage stakeholders and maintain regular communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead project teams and foster a collaborative work environment.
• Prepare budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure on-budget delivery.
• Identify and mitigate risks; develop contingency plans.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards and undergo testing/validation.
• Monitor performance and report outcomes to senior management.

Skills

Healthcare operations

Relationship management

Communication

Critical thinking

Prioritization

Analytical skills

Quality & risk mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

The Project Manager I at Centralus Health is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control, and completion of specific projects, ensuring consistency with company strategy, commitments, and goals. This role involves working closely with healthcare professionals, department heads, and external stakeholders to deliver projects that enhance operational efficiency, patient care, and service delivery. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in project management, exceptional organizational skills, and a solid understanding of the healthcare industry.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operational Excellence: Experience in deployment and/or understanding of operational excellence methodologies, system standards, structure, and evidence of execution.
• Departmental Program Development: Maintain a critical eye on internal department processes / procedures for opportunities for improvements and efficiencies. Assist the Sr. Director, Project Management and Operational Excellence in defining, standardizing, and improving departmental processes.
• Project Planning: Develop detailed project plans to track progress, including setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and allocating resources.
• Stakeholder Management: Engage with stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, and maintain regular communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Team Leadership: Motivate project teams and others, fostering a collaborative work environment to achieve project objectives.
• Budget Management: Prepare budgets, oversee expenditures, and ensure projects are delivered within the approved financial parameters.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate project risks, developing contingency plans to address potential challenges proactively.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure project deliverables meet the required quality standards and undergo thorough testing and validation.
• Performance Reporting: Monitor and report on project performance using appropriate systems, tools, and techniques to stakeholders and senior management.
• Compliance and Standards: Ensure projects comply with relevant regulations, standards, and best practices within the healthcare industry.
• Change Management: Support change management activities throughout the project lifecycle by identifying stakeholder impacts, assisting with communications and engagement, monitoring adoption risks, and helping teams successfully implement and sustain change.
• Project Closure: Conclude projects formally, including completing documentation, ensuring delivery of project outcomes, and conducting post-project evaluations to capture lessons learned. Demonstrates ability to sustain projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field required. Education and experience may be considered interchangeable on a year-for-year basis.

Experience

1 year of project management experience required.

Licensure

Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Six Sigma Black Belt from an accredited program or similar project management certifications are highly desirable. If candidate does not have certification, it is an expectation that the candidate must obtain certification within two (2) years of hire.

Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities

• Understanding of healthcare operations, regulatory requirements, and the unique challenges of the healthcare environment is highly beneficial
• Excellent relationship management as well as project management skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and sometimes competing priorities
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data analysis, metrics, and reporting
• Knowledge of quality and risk management principles

Travel

Required within the various Centralus Health locations with a higher incidence of remote relative to in-person as defined by Sr. Director, Project Management and Operational Excellence.

Work location

In-person/ Hybrid

Physical Nature of the Job

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally in carrying, lifting, pushing, pulling objects. Sitting most of the time, with walking and standing required only occasionally

Centralus Health System Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Centralus Health commits to treat all people with dignity so that everyone who comes to us is safe, cared for, and respected. We will support the growth of our employees and the health of our community by embracing the rich diversity of social and cultural identities, needs, and life circumstances of all people. We strive to recognize and overcome personal biases and systemic policies that marginalize others and contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care, and good health outcomes.