Senior Project Manager

The University of Iowa; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa is looking for a Senior Project Manager in Iowa to lead medium- to large-sized projects of strategic importance. You will oversee planning, execution, and completion of projects, ensuring optimal performance of healthcare operations.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree, has substantial experience in healthcare administration, and possesses PMP certification. This role demands excellence in project management and a strong capacity to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in health-care administration or operational planning.
• Outstanding project-management skills to lead diverse projects.
• Strong ability to influence key stakeholders and senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Define project scope, goals, and deliverables collaboratively.
• Review staff project plans and provide execution support.
• Conduct closing reviews and create recommendation reports.

Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Healthcare Operations

Process Improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Health Care, or related field

Master's degree in Business, Health Care, or related field

Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project Management Software

Job description

The Transformation Office within UI Health Care is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead medium- to large-sized projects that have department or site-level strategic importance. The role requires independent planning, directing, coordinating, and delivering project activities through the entire life cycle, ensuring on-time, on-budget completion while sustainably improving clinical operations.

Position Responsibilities

• Define project scope, goals, and deliverables that support Health System performance improvement goals in collaboration with senior management owners and stakeholders from various departments; develop full‑scale project plans and associated communications documents; communicate project expectations to team members and stakeholders clearly and in a timely manner.
• Review staff project plans and aid in their execution—ensuring current‑state analysis, future‑state creation with proven success metrics, and detailed execution.
• Work with all levels to understand operations, develop plans and workflow, and execute change management; ensure communications at all levels, from department chairs to clinic staff.
• Estimate resources and participants needed to achieve project goals; assess needs for additional staff and/or resources and communicate recommendations to senior management.
• Set and continually manage project expectations with team members and stakeholders; delegate tasks and responsibilities appropriately; identify and resolve issues and conflicts; manage project dependencies and critical paths.
• Plan and schedule project timelines and milestones using appropriate tools; track milestones and deliverables; develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations; aid project managers in defining roles for each team member.
• Determine the frequency and develop the content of status reports; analyze results and troubleshoot problem areas; proactively manage changes in scope; identify potential crises and devise contingency plans.
• Define project success criteria and disseminate them to all involved parties throughout the life cycle.
• Build, develop, and grow relationships vital to project success; mentor other project managers.
• Conduct closing reviews and create recommendation reports to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements.
• Develop best practices and tools for project execution and management; train staff members on these tools and best practices.
• Supervise and/or mentor staff in the performance of duties; provide advice and guidance to lower‑level project managers and specialists as needed.
• Demonstrate the “art of project management,” going beyond mechanics to build trusted relationships and act as an internal consultant to business and clinical teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Health Care, or a related field (or equivalent education and experience).
• Master’s degree in Business, Health Care, or a related field (preferred).
• Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent).
• 5 or more years of progressively responsible experience in health‑care administration, business, or operational planning with proven successes in facilitating projects.
• Outstanding project‑management skills to lead projects, identify business needs, provide effective solutions, and manage resources to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Ability to direct project scope, planning, and tracking while meeting timeline and budget goals.
• Strong communication skills—excellence in written, verbal, and interpersonal communication; ability to translate complex data into actionable insights; ability to communicate complex information to all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to influence key stakeholders and senior leaders, manage relationships, and motivate organizational constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational, and staff resources.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in MS Software (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and project‑management software applications.
• Experience in health care and health‑care operations.
• Process‑improvement experience, Lean or Six Sigma certification and/or experience.
• Experience working in a PMO within health care or hospital operations.
• Operational and/or financial management experience in an academic health‑care setting.
• Experience coaching and influencing leaders and teams.

Classification

• Classification Title: Senior Project Manager
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full‑time

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services at (319) 335‑2660 or [e-mail]. For jobs in UI Health Care, please contact UI Health Care Leave & Disability Administration at 319‑356‑7543.