Manager of Operations Efficiency - Medical Associates Health Plans

Medical Associates • Dubuque, IA

31d • Onsite

About The Position

Medical Associates Health Plans is hiring a Manager of Operations Efficiency, a leadership role focused on addressing operational challenges and performance gaps. This onsite, flexible position may move among departments, operational areas, and facilities as organizational needs evolve. Assignments may include stabilizing operations, improving performance, supporting leadership transitions, and implementing special projects. The manager leads focused initiatives, identifies underlying issues, implements sustainable solutions, and develops team members. Larger implementations remain under the manager’s responsibility through completion and handoff; some responsibilities may remain with the position, while others transition to the appropriate department once established and operating effectively.

The role calls for strong leadership, business acumen, process improvement expertise, and emotional intelligence. The manager must navigate ambiguity, establish credibility quickly, foster collaboration and accountability, and drive results through influence. Work may include project management; coordinating new employer group implementations from Sales and Account Management handoff through the effective date and initial support period; coordinating system and process implementation requirements, testing, training, procedures, launch readiness, and post-launch support; and measuring whether changes improve turnaround time, accuracy, workload, costs, or service.

The manager may serve as an interim department leader or project lead in high-need areas, maintaining operational continuity while identifying improvements. The role conducts rapid assessments of workflows, organizational design and staffing, service delivery, financial performance, and team dynamics; develops and implements action plans; supports change management and special projects; collaborates with department leadership and executive sponsors; and coaches emerging leaders and supervisors. The manager is also expected to fulfill relevant leadership responsibilities, comply with organizational policies and regulatory standards, and complete other assigned projects and duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, nursing, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience, including managing teams, budgets, and performance improvement efforts.
• Demonstrated success leading change, driving results, and building effective teams in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing implementations involving multiple departments and outside vendors.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven ability to lead through influence without formal authority.
• Experience managing implementations across departments and vendors.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or MHA.
• Healthcare experience.
• Experience with employer group implementations or health plan operations.
• Training or certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvement methodologies.
• Project management training or certification.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an interim department leader or project lead in high-need areas to ensure continuity of operations and identify improvement opportunities.
• Move between departments and facilities as organizational priorities evolve.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
• Deliver on the responsibilities of the relevant leadership job description.
• Conduct rapid assessments of workflows, organizational design and staffing, service delivery, financial performance, and team dynamics to diagnose issues and barriers.
• Develop and collaborate on action plans to address performance gaps, streamline processes, and improve outcomes.
• Lead or support change management efforts and special projects, ensuring effective communication and team engagement during transitions.
• Collaborate with department leadership and executive sponsors to align operational improvements with strategic objectives.
• Coach and mentor emerging leaders and supervisors to strengthen department leadership capacity and long-term stability.
• Develop project plans and timelines, assign task ownership, track dependencies, risks, and open issues, follow up with vendors and internal teams, inform leadership, and escalate delays or decisions requiring attention.
• Manage new employer group implementations from Sales and Account Management handoff through the effective date and initial support period, coordinating benefit configuration, eligibility, ID cards, billing, communications, and testing.
• Coordinate system and process implementation requirements, testing, problem resolution, training, procedures, launch readiness, post-launch support, and handoff of ongoing responsibilities.
• Review existing work practices, implement changes, and measure impact on turnaround time, accuracy, workload, costs, or service.
• Proactively manage projects and long-term goals, establish timelines and action owners, and ensure commitments are met.
• Gather information, evaluate impacts and risks, make timely decisions, and manage resources responsibly.
• Model respectful and cooperative relationships, promote team understanding and collaboration, motivate employees, and address morale issues.
• Communicate openly and effectively, build commitment and rapport, handle difficult issues with empathy and clarity, and promote a non-threatening environment for expressing opinions.
• Implement new ideas and technologies, support change, remove obstacles, and ensure resources are available.
• Set performance and behavioral standards, promote accountability, encourage skill development and goal attainment, provide feedback and evaluations, and support employee development and succession planning.
• Maintain current skills and industry knowledge and seek feedback for ongoing personal development.
• Anticipate internal and external customer needs, respond proactively, ensure satisfaction, and deliver quality work.
• Comply with Medical Associates policies and behave ethically.
• Complete other projects and duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Single or family health insurance with discounted premium rates for wellness program participation.
• 401(k) with immediate matching (50% on the dollar up to 7% of pay) and additional annual profit sharing.
• Flexible paid time off program (29 days off per year).
• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Life insurance.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Short-term disability coverage.
• Dental insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager