Performance Innovation Leader

Job description

Job Requirements
The Perform Innovation Leader partners with clinical, operational, and administrative leaders across the University of Maryland Medical Center to advance strategic and operational priorities through performance improvement, process redesign, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. Serves as an internal consultant, utilizing data analysis, change management principles, and continuous improvement methodologies to evaluate operations, identify opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions. Leads complex cross-functional projects that improve quality, service, patient experience, workforce engagement, efficiency, and financial performance. Exercises independent judgment in assessing operational challenges, developing recommendations, and driving implementation strategies. Builds organizational capability through coaching, facilitation, and leadership development while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Responsibilities
• Lead and manage complex performance improvement, operational excellence, and process redesign initiatives that support organizational goals and strategic priorities.
• Partner with executive, clinical, and operational leaders to identify opportunities for improvement, prioritize initiatives, and align resources to achieve desired outcomes.
• Evaluate workflows, systems, and operational processes to identify inefficiencies, performance gaps, and opportunities to improve quality, service, patient experience, workforce engagement, and financial performance.
• Conduct operational assessments utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to determine root causes, develop recommendations, and support data-driven decision making.
• Establish performance metrics, monitor outcomes, analyze trends, and communicate findings and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Develop business cases, implementation strategies, and action plans that drive organizational change and operational improvement.
• Facilitate multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with stakeholders at all organizational levels to drive engagement, consensus, and successful execution of improvement initiatives.
• Provide consultation, coaching, and mentorship to leaders and staff regarding performance improvement principles, change management practices, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Develop project charters, work plans, timelines, communication plans, and implementation strategies while monitoring risks, barriers, and project milestones.
• Establish sustainment plans, monitoring processes, and accountability measures to ensure long-term achievement of improvement goals and operational outcomes.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership by providing strategic recommendations related to operational effectiveness, process optimization, organizational change, and performance management.
• Ensure all activities comply with organizational policies, accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Work Experience
Education & Experience - Required
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Industrial Engineering, Organizational Leadership, Healthcare Management, or a related field.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
• Five years of experience leading performance improvement, operational excellence, process improvement, healthcare consulting, project management, or related initiatives.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams, facilitating organizational change, and managing complex projects.
• Experience analyzing operational data and developing recommendations to improve organizational performance.

Education & Experience - Preferred
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Industrial Engineering, Public Health, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience within a healthcare system, academic medical center, or other complex matrixed organization.
• Experience utilizing data analytics and business intelligence tools to support operational decision-making.
• Familiarity with healthcare regulatory, accreditation, and compliance standards.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• Knowledge of performance improvement, operational excellence, project management, and change management principles.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret complex operational, quality, financial, and performance data.
• Ability to evaluate business processes and develop practical, sustainable recommendations that achieve measurable results.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making in a dynamic environment.
• Exceptional facilitation, consultation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and build effective partnerships across all organizational levels.
• Strong verbal, written, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate consensus and drive decision-making among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other business, reporting, and project management systems.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop leaders and staff in performance improvement methodologies and organizational effectiveness practices.
• Commitment to customer service, operational excellence, continuous learning, and the mission, vision, and values of the organization.