Project Manager-Operational Excellence

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

Job summary

Indiana University Health (IU Health) is seeking a Project Manager – Operational Excellence to lead cross-functional improvement initiatives across the health system. You will plan, execute, and sustain projects with structured PM approaches, change leadership, and KPI-driven reporting to leadership and steering committees.

You will collaborate with clinical and operational leaders, develop charters, timelines, and communications, and apply Lean Six Sigma tools to optimize workflows, readiness,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business, engineering, or a related field is required.
• Requires 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Requires experience in project management, performance improvement, or healthcare operations.
• Requires ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
• Requires proficiency with project management tools and data visualization platforms.
• Requires ability to lead at least 3 projects simultaneously.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent improvement certification is preferred.
• Experience in hospital operations, ambulatory care, or health system performance improvement is preferred.
• PMP, CAPM, or similar project management certification is preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards, quality frameworks, and patient safety principles is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Connect to Promise - Demonstrates a commitment to IU Health's mission, vision, and values by exhibiting behaviors and delivering results that align with the strategic direction of the organization.
• Project Management - Develops solutions with sound methodologies, guidelines, and best practices; makes decisions and solves problems within project plan parameters.
• Business Acumen - Exhibits working knowledge of the department and function and how it is structured.
• Execution - Addresses problems directly and implements objectives effectively; produces on-time, high-quality work deliverables.
• Collaboration - Coordinates job activities with team members and leaders as required; shares best practices.
• Leadership - Takes the initiative to proactively resolve issues and improve processes and outcomes.
• Communication - Shares thoughts clearly; active listening and proactive next steps; timely updates to stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Performance improvement

Cross-functional leadership

Data visualization

Lead multiple projects

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

PMP / CAPM

Regulatory standards familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business, engineering, or related field

Job description

Overview

Project Manager – Operational Excellence

Our leaders shape strategic initiatives, develop passionate teams, and work to improve health outcomes. They 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 Operational Excellence team in the role of Project Manager – Operational Excellence.

Description

The Project Manager – Operational Excellence supports initiatives that advance quality, efficiency, and patient-centered care across the health system, partnering with clinical and operational leaders to plan, execute, and sustain improvement projects that strengthen organizational performance. The Project Manager applies structured project management and change leadership to deliver measurable, lasting results, developing project charters, timelines, communication plans, and performance metrics aligned with system priorities. By facilitating cross-functional workgroups, the Project Manager ensures timely progress, risk mitigation, and alignment with operational goals while monitoring project milestones and preparing status updates for leadership, steering committees, and stakeholders. Additionally, the Project Manager leverages an awareness of Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools to analyze workflows, identify root causes, and design optimized processes, while simultaneously developing change management plans that support adoption, readiness, and long-term sustainability. Finally, the Project Manager – Operational Excellence creates training materials, communication assets, and stakeholder updates that support project success, collaborating closely with analytics teams to define KPIs, dashboards, and reporting structures.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Director – Operational Excellence

Direct Reports: None

Candidate Qualifications

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

• Bachelor's Degree in healthcare administration, business, engineering, or a related field is required.
• Requires 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Requires experience in project management, performance improvement, or healthcare operations.
• Requires a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
• Requires proficiency with project management tools and data visualization platforms.
• Requires the ability to lead at least 3 projects simultaneously.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent improvement certification is preferred.
• Experience in hospital operations, ambulatory care, or health system performance improvement is preferred.
• PMP, CAPM, or similar project management certification is preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards, quality frameworks, and patient safety principles is preferred.

Responsibilities

Connect to Promise - Demonstrates a commitment to IU Health's mission, vision, and values by exhibiting behaviors and delivering results that align with the strategic direction of the organization. Ensure IU Health is working toward its vision of improving the health of all Hoosiers by providing the best care for each person as we practice our values of purpose, excellence, compassion and team.

Project Management - Develops solutions with sound methodologies, guidelines, and best practices; makes decisions and solves problems within project plan parameters. Identifies patterns and potential underlying issues. Chooses best alternative based on consideration of pros, cons, and weighing various tradeoffs.

Business Acumen - Exhibits working knowledge of the department and function and how it is structured. Structures work to align with the goals and operations of department and function.

Execution - Addresses problems directly and implements objectives effectively. Produces on time, high-quality work deliverables. Able to apply basic project management principles, and ensure standard of work is in place and reflects leading best practices.

Collaboration - Coordinates job activities with team members and leaders as required. Finds workable solutions that can be leveraged by other team members. Seeks out and shares best practices for performing job duties. Engages, guides and mentors other team members as needed.

Leadership - Takes the initiative to proactively resolve issues, address concerns, identify potential risks, and improve overall processes and outcomes. Seeks new ways to improve individual and team efforts for overall success, while promoting collaboration and teamwork.

Communication - Shares thoughts and information in a clear, concise and professional manner, in both oral and written communication formats. Demonstrates active listening and seeks further information to ensure clarity and understanding. Promptly responds to requests for information, and works to proactively think through next steps and anticipate potential issues, requests, or business needs. Openly shares knowledge and expertise.

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.

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.