Senior Project Lead

University of California - Los Angeles Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Los Angeles Health is seeking a Senior Project Lead to drive high-impact ambulatory care improvements across the health system. You will shepherd complex programs from ideation to implementation, partnering with clinical, operational, and administrative teams to translate challenges into structured plans and measurable outcomes.

The role emphasizes autonomy, analytical rigor, and the creation of sustainable processes that elevate ambulatory care performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; master's preferred.
• At least 8 years designing and managing cross-functional projects.
• At least 8 years implementing process improvement methodologies.
• Advanced knowledge of project management principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and independent work capability.
• Excellent written communication and executive-ready deliverables.
• Ability to synthesize data and influence decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex cross-functional projects from problem identification through planning, design, and implementation.
• Translate ambiguous operational challenges into actionable recommendations and structured project plans.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets while monitoring progress and resolving issues.
• Independently develop reports, proposals, and executive briefings for senior stakeholders.
• Facilitate stakeholder communication, system coordination, and vendor engagement.
• Identify, elevate, and mitigate project risks and dependencies; ensure timely resolution.
• Develop and maintain project resources such as charters, process maps, and tracking tools.
• Liaise with senior internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with priorities.
• Provide guidance to leadership on scope, implementation strategies, and performance metrics.
• Design and advocate for new processes, workflows, policies, or systems.
• Research literature and industry best practices to inform design and decision-making.
• Lead or participate in strategy, planning, and policy committees or working groups.

Skills

Project management

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Independence

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Executive communication

PM tools

Data analysis

Technology adoption

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

Description

The Office of the Ambulatory CMO is seeking a Senior Project Lead to support the office's portfolio and build high-impact initiatives from the ground up. Reporting to the Ambulatory CMO's Chief of Staff, this role will work collaboratively with a variety of partners to advance industry best practices and foster a culture grounded in humility, integrity, and enthusiasm.

The Senior Project Lead will play a strategic role in shaping and advancing high-impact initiatives that enhance ambulatory care services across the health system. This position is ideal for a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional who brings subject matter expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex, often ambiguous challenges. The role involves extensive engagement with clinical, operational, and administrative stakeholders across the ambulatory care environment and broader health system to align priorities, surface insights, and inform decision-making. With a high degree of autonomy, the Senior Project Lead will lead the design and implementation of new programs and processes, applying analytical rigor and a passion for building sustainable systems that advance improvement and innovation in ambulatory care.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex, cross-functional projects from problem identification through planning, design, and implementation.
• Translate ambiguous or emerging operational challenges into actionable recommendations and structured project plans, including defined scope and stakeholder roles.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets while monitoring progress and resolving issues during implementation within cross-functional project teams.
• Independently develop reports, proposals, and executive briefings to support strategic and operational decision‑making, ensuring all materials intended for senior stakeholders are submitted in a near‑final, executive‑ready state.
• Facilitate stakeholder communication, system coordination, and vendor engagement as needed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Proactively identify, elevate, and mitigate project risks and dependencies while ensuring timely resolution; follow through on decisions once made.
• Develop and maintain project resources such as project charters, process maps, RASCI charts, stakeholder briefings, and project tracking tools.
• Serve as a liaison to senior internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Provide guidance to leadership and stakeholders on project scope, implementation strategies, and performance measurement.
• Design and advocate for solutions to operational challenges, including the development of new processes, workflows, policies, or systems.
• Research and synthesize relevant literature and industry best practices to inform project design, support evidence‑based decision‑making, and develop scalable solutions.
• Propose, lead, and/or participate in strategy, planning, and policy committees or working groups related to assigned initiatives.

Salary Range: $90,720 - $194,040/Annually

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in designing and managing cross‑functional projects required.
• Minimum 8 years of experience implementing process improvement methodologies required.
• Advanced knowledge of project management principles, theories, and concepts.
• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to identify problems, evaluate options, and recommend solutions across complex operational environments.
• Proven leadership ability. Demonstrated ability to put forth persuasive arguments.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, internalize and apply feedback to future work products, and adapt approach based on evolving project needs.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate critical information across disciplines and connect how projects relate to other business strategies and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to produce executive‑ready deliverables with minimal revision cycles, including disciplined self‑review for accuracy, internal consistency, completeness, and presentation quality.
• Demonstrated competency in selecting and implementing project design and management tools, methods, and techniques.
• Demonstrated experience integrating data collection, analysis, and presentation into project design and implementation.
• Utilization of technology to enhance productivity, collaboration, and visibility, from legacy tech to emerging tech.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and effective writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all levels of an organization.