Manager - Continuous Improvement

Avera•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

The Manager – Continuous Improvement provides strategic leadership for enterprise-wide initiatives that enhance quality, safety, and operational efficiency. This role partners with executive sponsors and operational leaders to align improvement projects with organizational priorities, leveraging Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to drive measurable outcomes. The Manager oversees internal Lean Six Sigma training programs, mentors Continuous Improvement Advisors, and fosters a culture of innovation and high reliability. Ensures compliance with regulatory standards and promotes evidence-based practices to support patient safety and organizational excellence.

Requirements

The individual must be able to work the hours specified.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds.
These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.
Bachelor's in Healthcare Admin, Business Admin, or related field and/or 4-6 years combination of related education and experience.
4-6 years experience and/or training in leadership, interpersonal, teambuilding, and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Master's
IASSC Certified Black Belt - The International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) Or ISSSP certification
IASSC Certified Green Belt - The International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) Or ISSSP certification
Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute (PMI)
Respiratory Therapist - Licensing Board
Physical Therapist - Licensing Board
Registered Nurse (Multi) - Board of Nursing
Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
1-3 years Experience in strategic management, project management, and Lean Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor and develop Continuous Improvement Advisors, fostering a high-performance, collaborative team culture committed to results, accountability and change advocacy.
Provide expert coaching on Lean and Six Sigma principles, tools, and techniques to leaders and teams.
Oversee and continuously improve the internal Lean Six Sigma training and certification program to meet industry standards.
Align improvement initiatives with organizational strategy, priorities, and regulatory requirements.
Monitor and report KPIs, escalating risks and barriers to leadership to ensure timely resolution.
Facilitate root cause analysis, process mapping, and solution design for clinical and operational workflows.
Build trusted partnerships with executive sponsors, clinical leaders, and operational teams to drive engagement.
Support implementation and sustainment of systems that improve quality, safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Prepare and present progress reports and project updates to leadership, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and measurable impact across the organization.
Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, developing, training, and retaining employees; planning, assigning, and leading work; appraising performance; rewarding and coaching employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.