Quality Program Advisor - Expert

Delta Dental; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base and incentive pay

401(k) with robust matching

Medical & pharmacy benefits

Dental and vision benefits

Paid time off + holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Delta Dental in San Francisco is seeking an Expert Quality Program Advisor to lead the adoption and ongoing application of the Business Quality Management System (BQMS) across assigned functions. You will translate enterprise quality standards into practical practices and guide cross-functional teams through complex assessments and improvements.

The role requires strong analytical skills, Lean Six Sigma familiarity, and the ability to collaborate with senior leaders to embed prevention and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and minimum 7+ years of experience.
• Healthcare or health insurance industry experience preferred.
• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma, Agile, or similar process improvement practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and sustained application of BQMS standards across functions.
• Serve as the primary quality liaison and align initiatives with business priorities.
• Partner with leaders to embed quality principles into strategic planning and transformation.
• Lead end-to-end quality assessments, tests, and data analysis to identify risks and improvements.
• Conduct root-cause investigations and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Coordinate enterprise-wide quality projects and cross-functional teams to ensure adoption.
• Facilitate readiness and change-management activities to drive ownership of quality.
• Provide coaching on QMS, Lean Six Sigma, and quality methodologies; develop adoption materials.
• Monitor BQMS adoption and report actionable insights to senior leaders.
• Support internal and external audits to ensure compliance.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical reasoning

Change management

Quality management

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Communication

Presentation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

SigmaXL

Microsoft 365

Copilot/AI tools

Job description

Job Description

The Expert Quality Program Advisor is a senior individual contributor and enterprise subject matter expert responsible for leading the implementation, adoption, and ongoing application of the Business Quality Management System (BQMS) across assigned business functions.

Serving as a strategic advisor and primary quality partner, this role collaborates with functional leaders, subject matter experts, and cross-functional teams to translate enterprise quality standards, governance requirements, and maturity expectations into practical, scalable business practices. The Advisor leads complex quality assessments, advanced analyses, root‑cause investigations, and enterprise initiatives to identify systemic risks, strengthen operational performance, and drive continuous improvement.

Through consultation, coaching, change leadership, and performance monitoring, this role influences outcomes without direct authority, builds organizational quality capability, and promotes consistent adoption and accountability. The Expert Quality Program Advisor helps embed prevention, continuous improvement, and measurable quality outcomes into business operations and strategic initiatives aligned with Delta Dental’s strategy.

Work Location

This is a hybrid position and will report to a local office as needed in one of the following locations: Camp Hill, PA; Alpharetta, GA; Cerritos, CA; San Francisco, CA; Oakland, CA; or Rancho Cordova, CA. Light travel to other office locations may be required based on business needs. Current internal team members who are designated as remote will also be considered for the position and are exempt from the hybrid work location requirement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation, adoption, and sustained application of Business Quality Management System (BQMS) standards across assigned business functions. Integrate quality requirements into operational processes, projects, strategic initiatives, and scalable business solutions to promote consistency and standardization.
• Serve as the primary quality liaison for assigned business areas, building trusted relationships with functional leaders, business partners, subject matter experts, and operational teams. Align quality initiatives with business priorities and influence commitment and action without direct authority.
• Partner with business leaders to integrate quality principles and measurable outcomes into strategic planning, transformation efforts, and initiatives supporting Delta Dental’s strategy. Connect quality maturity with long-term business, customer, provider, and member outcomes.
• Lead end-to-end quality assessments and testing, including the development of hypotheses, test plans, documentation, procedures, statistical and compliance criteria, and quality standards. Analyze complex operational data, trends, and process controls to identify risks, nonconformance, and improvement opportunities.
• Independently conduct complex research, root‑cause investigations, and multifactor analyses of operational errors and process issues. Translate findings into actionable recommendations, reporting, and consultation with leaders to reduce risk, improve effectiveness, and optimize performance.
• Lead enterprise-wide quality projects and coordinate cross-functional teams and stakeholder groups to resolve complex issues, remove adoption barriers, and ensure quality standards and improvement initiatives are implemented consistently and sustainably.
• Facilitate organizational readiness and change‑management activities that strengthen awareness, engagement, accountability, continuous improvement, and shared ownership of enterprise quality expectations.
• Provide consultation, coaching, and education on Quality Management System (QMS) standards, BQMS requirements, Lean Six Sigma principles, and quality methodologies. Develop and maintain adoption toolkits, implementation guides, training materials, and leading practices that build sustainable quality management capabilities among leaders, subject matter experts, and quality practitioners.
• Measure and monitor BQMS adoption, implementation progress, stakeholder engagement, and quality maturity across assigned business areas. Identify gaps requiring additional support and regularly present actionable insights, trends, and recommendations to Directors, Vice Presidents, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide quality expertise and support for internal and external audits and investigations to help ensure compliance with Delta Dental standards and applicable regulatory and external agency requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 7+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Healthcare or health insurance industry experience highly preferred.

Experience

• 7+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas: project management, process engineering, business analysis, process analysis, statistical analysis, service delivery, and/or quality management.
• Experience leading large, complex initiatives involving multiple business areas and stakeholders within a matrixed organization.
• Experience working within, or demonstrated knowledge of, Delta Dental business operations highly preferred.
• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma principles, Agile methodologies, or similar process and quality improvement practices; related certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, projects, and deadlines.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical‑thinking skills, including knowledge of statistical analysis techniques and the ability to translate complex findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Advanced knowledge of project management, quality management, and process/business improvement methodologies, best practices, and strategies.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment when interpreting policies, standards, and operating practices while navigating complex business needs and multiple stakeholders.
• Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex concepts, recommendations, and findings to senior leadership.
• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to establish trusted partnerships and influence individuals at all levels of the organization without direct authority.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and deliver large, complex, cross‑functional initiatives in a matrixed environment.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including charting and graphical analysis, as well as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Experience with SigmaXL or similar statistical analysis tools preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 applications, including Microsoft Copilot, preferred.
• Experience using artificial intelligence tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, or similar platforms, to support analysis, productivity, or business processes preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and appropriately manage sensitive business information.
• Lean Six Sigma certification and/or experience applying Lean Six Sigma and Agile principles preferred.

Base Pay Information

The national base pay range at the end is a good‑faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental’s assessment of the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications, and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity.

Pay Grade 22. $93,400 - $202,400

About Us

Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life‑changing rewards package includes:

• Competitive base and incentive pay
• 401(k) with robust matching and non‑matching contributions
• Rich medical & pharmacy benefits
• 100% employer‑paid dental and vision benefits
• Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives
• Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off
• Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program
• Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance
• Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities
• Employee discount program

Fair Chance Ordinances and Criminal Background Considerations

This position requires that the applicant undergo a background check. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state or local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and/or New‑York Corrections Law Article 23-A.

Important Work Authorization Information

Please note, Delta Dental will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

About The Team

At Delta Dental, we’re behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we’ve served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care – but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We’ve come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all.

We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie.

Discover the smiling faces behind Delta Dental and experience our values and culture in action by connecting with us on social media. Follow Delta Dental Ins. on Facebook and Instagram , on Facebook and Instagram , Delta Dental Ins. on Twitter and Delta Dental Ins. on LinkedIn . If you've got an appetite for innovation and want to be a part of a team that’s transforming the future of health care, join us!

Since 1955, we have offered comprehensive, high-quality oral health care benefits to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. The Delta Dental of California network includes affiliates Delta Dental Insurance Company; Delta Dental of Pennsylvania; Delta Dental of New York, Inc.; Delta Dental of the District of Columbia; Delta Dental of Delaware, Inc.; and Delta Dental of West Virginia, providing dental benefits to more than 31 million people across 15 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The company and its affiliates are part of Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), a not‑for‑profit national association based in Oak Brook, Illinois. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. We offer vision coverage through DeltaVision in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, we deliver benefits to more Americans than any other dental insurance company.

Delta Dental Ins. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Individuals seeking employment at Delta Dental are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, actual or perceived physical or mental disability, registered domestic partner status, caregiver status, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected category. Delta Dental is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, we have adopted and maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Harassment‑Free Work Environment Policy, and Respectful Workplace policies and will not tolerate violations of these policies.

Unfortunately, our Delta Dental Enterprise is unable to hire individuals residing in Alaska, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) or other US Territories at this time.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.

• Delta Dental includes: Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, and Delta Dental of New York