Director of Special Projects

Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness•Bangor, ME

17d

About The Position

Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (WPHW) is growing, and we are excited to be adding new people to our team! If you value inclusivity, balance, and cultural centeredness and have a true passion for serving others, you may be a great fit for our team! WPHW is a non-profit organization that serves four federally recognized tribes located in five communities: the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Aroostook Band of Mi'kmaq, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point, and the Penobscot Nation. Wabanaki traditions, language, and culture guide our approach and describe the ways we live in harmony with each other and the land we collectively share. Services are available to community members living on and off-reservation across the State of Maine. Position Summary : Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness (WPHW) is seeking an energetic Special Projects Manager to support the Finance Team in Bangor, ME. This position serves as the central point of coordination for complex, cross functional initiatives while ensuring leadership retains final authority over priorities, scope, and approvals. This role leverages deep experience in healthcare operations, public health systems, accreditation, LEAN transformation, and large-scale project delivery to strengthen execution, protect funding, and reduce organizational risk. This position is full time, 40 hours per week. Position has guaranteed funding for 6 months; position will be continued after 6 months contingent upon funding and successful performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in organizational development, business administration or related field required.
Senior leadership experience delivering complex, cross functional projects in healthcare or public health environments.
Demonstrated success leading accreditation, regulatory readiness, and compliance driven initiatives.
Extensive background in LEAN, process improvement, and large-scale organizational change.
Proven experience managing facility expansions, technology rollouts, telehealth, and operational transformations.
Strong track record partnering with executives, boards, and diverse stakeholders.
Project Management Professional certification and formal training in healthcare process improvement.
A willingness to see problems as opportunities and a solution-minded approach.
Possessing a go-getter attitude and a drive to get things done with quality and within the stipulated timeline.
The willingness to work in a highly collaborative atmosphere and within a team.
Excellent communication skills and a proper command of the language necessary to convey your ideas.
Attention to detail and solid organizational skills, familiarity with a team’s functioning, and a respect for the hierarchy structures.
The respect for deadlines and the desire for keeping the high work quality
Must pass a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO and senior leadership to define, sequence, and govern enterprise priorities.
Establish and operate an enterprise project intake, prioritization, and governance framework aligned with leadership direction.
Translate leadership approved priorities into executable project plans with clear scope, timelines, risks, and resource needs.
Lead delivery of high impact initiatives including program expansion, facility development, technology implementation, telehealth, and vendor transitions.
Apply LEAN and structured project management methods to improve workflows, capacity, and performance across programs.
Ensure grant funded and publicly funded initiatives meet approved scope, schedule, budget, and compliance requirements.
Identify operational, financial, and regulatory risks and elevate issues to leadership with clear options and recommendations.
Coordinate cross functional teams to resolve barriers and maintain momentum on leadership approved initiatives.
Oversee consultants, contractors, and vendors to ensure accountability, value, and alignment with organizational goals.
Provide clear, consistent reporting to the CEO and leadership team on progress, risks, and outcomes.
Support organizational change management, training, and adoption of new processes and systems.