Director Healthcare Language Access and Interpreter Services

Advocate Health•Milwaukee, WI

2d•$55 - $82•Hybrid

About The Position

This Role will support the Wisconsin LAIS Division. The Director of Healthcare Language Access and Interpreter Services will direct multi-region language services operations across assigned geographic areas (Illinois, Wisconsin, or North Carolina/Southeast). This role involves developing and managing managers, setting strategic direction, driving enterprise initiatives, overseeing interpreter management, leading functional enablement, managing community engagement, overseeing safety event management, coordinating with Control Tower, driving quality standards, building strategic partnerships, managing P&L accountability, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and accreditation requirements, reporting enterprise-level results to AVP leadership, sponsoring change programs, leading innovation initiatives, and developing a talent pipeline.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
Typically requires 7+ years of language services or healthcare operations experience
plus 4 years of management experience.
Strategic leadership skills with ability to develop managers and create a leadership pipeline.
Multi-region operational management experience with accountability for enterprise-level results.
P&L accountability experience including budget development, business case creation, and contract negotiation.
Strategic resource allocation and decision-making skills for complex operational environments.
Quality strategy development and compliance oversight experience including Joint Commission readiness.
Change leadership skills with ability to sponsor programs and align stakeholders.
Executive communication and presence for representing Language Services to senior leadership.
Strong partnership and relationship-building skills across clinical, operational, and community stakeholders.
Knowledge of federal, state, and accreditation requirements for language access in healthcare.
Innovation orientation with ability to drive strategic initiatives and partnership development.
Talent development skills including succession planning and building high-performing leadership teams.
Financial acumen including P&L management, business case development, and ROI analysis.
Work requires use of telephone/computer and sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Walking, standing, lifting, bending, reaching, stooping, pushing, and pulling are required a moderate amount of the time.
May lift and carry up to 40 pounds on an intermittent basis.
Must demonstrate the ability to communicate with individuals and groups effectively.
Must possess critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to concentrate.
Must be able to work with high volume of activities/projects with short deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred
Healthcare leadership certification preferred
Master's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or public health.
Healthcare leadership certification (e.g., FACHE).
Lean/Six Sigma certification a plus.
10+ years of healthcare leadership experience with enterprise-scale operational management.
Experience directing multi-state healthcare operations with demonstrated enterprise impact.
Experience developing manager-level leaders into director-ready candidates.
Strategic thought leadership in language access, health equity, or patient experience.
Experience with executive presentations and board-level reporting.
Experience building and leading community engagement and partnership programs.

Responsibilities

Direct multi-region language services operations across assigned geographic areas (Illinois, Wisconsin, or North Carolina/Southeast).
Develop and manage 3-4 managers through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
Set strategic direction for regional language services operations aligned with enterprise goals and priorities.
Drive enterprise initiatives including operational standardization, quality improvement, and service expansion.
Oversee interpreter management and operational support across assigned regions.
Lead functional enablement activities including service line integration and cross-functional partnership.
Manage community engagement programs and partnerships within assigned geographic areas.
Oversee safety event management and ensure compliance with patient safety protocols.
Coordinate with Control Tower on teammate operations, interpreter scheduling, and service delivery.
Drive quality standards, regulatory compliance, and patient experience across regional operations.
Build strategic partnerships with clinical leadership, service line executives, and community organizations.
Manage P&L accountability including budget development, business case justification, and contract negotiation.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation requirements including Joint Commission standards.
Report enterprise-level results to AVP leadership including strategic initiative delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
Sponsor change programs and align stakeholders around transformation initiatives.
Lead innovation initiatives and partnership development to advance language services capabilities.
Develop and maintain a talent pipeline through manager development and succession planning.
Lead enterprise-wide service innovation and operational transformation that advances language access capabilities across regions.
Evaluate emerging service delivery models and technologies that position Language Services for competitive advantage.
Drive strategic partnerships with clinical leadership and community organizations to expand service scope.
Own P&L accountability for assigned geographic or functional area with strategic focus on financial sustainability.
Develop business cases for service expansion, new programs, and strategic investments.
Manage contractual relationships and financial performance across regional operations.
Set enterprise-wide operational strategy for assigned geographic regions or functional areas.
Drive operational excellence through implementation of standardized processes and continuous improvement.
Build management bench strength and organizational capability through leader development and succession planning.
Establish enterprise language access strategy that ensures equitable, culturally appropriate care delivery.
Lead health equity initiatives and community partnerships that advance language services for underserved populations.

Benefits

Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
Competitive compensation
Generous retirement offerings
Programs that invest in your career development
Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
Incentive pay for select positions
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program