Operational Excellence Project Manager- Clinical Operations

UTHealth Houston•, TX

About The Position

The Operational Excellence Project Manager leads strategic transformation and continuous improvement initiatives across UT Physicians and UTHealth Houston. The role partners with executive leadership, physicians, operational leaders, multidisciplinary teams, internal departments, and vendors to redesign processes, improve organizational performance, and implement sustainable solutions aligned with strategic priorities. It manages complex, cross-functional projects from assessment and planning through execution and sustainment, while establishing project governance, managing interdependencies, monitoring performance, and supporting adoption of new processes and ways of working. The position performs cross-functional, enterprise-, department-, and clinic-level project management in support of UT Physicians and Operational Excellence process improvement projects. It applies project management and Lean Six Sigma methods to deliver project outcomes accurately, efficiently, and on time while meeting stakeholder requirements and managing scope. Work includes assessing business operations, documenting current and future processes, analyzing data and performance, coordinating teams and deliverables, communicating findings and recommendations, and developing or improving operational policies, procedures, and protocols. Employees must permanently reside and work in Texas. This is a security-sensitive position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement may substitute for the education requirement.
At least 5 years of relevant work experience, including leadership experience (formal or informal) and management of performance improvement projects.
Experience with project management techniques.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Working knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
Must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
Must meet the security-sensitive position requirements described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) certification from ASQ, CSSC, IASSC, or LSSI preferred.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI preferred.
Project management certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary Operational Excellence Team contact for consultation, planning, execution, management, and reporting of multiple continuous improvement projects aligned with organizational performance goals.
Develop and maintain plans, deliverables, and schedules; proactively engage necessary parties across the UTHealth enterprise.
Assess business operations using observation, data analytics, metric trends, financial information, best-practice measures, policies and procedures, customer expectations, business drivers, and regulatory guidelines.
Identify, plan, and execute performance improvement projects; document current- and future-state processes; manage project risks and quality control.
Provide leadership, guidance, and critical communications to stakeholders and project teams.
Synthesize findings into comprehensive reports, recommendations, key messages, documentation, and presentations for leaders.
Recommend or facilitate problem resolution as appropriate.
Apply project management best practices and Lean Six Sigma methodologies, including data manipulation and analysis to support leadership decision-making.
Coordinate and deliver presentations in person and electronically to leadership and employees.
Coordinate, plan, assign, and review project plans and deliverables with internal leadership, departments, and vendors.
Identify needs and coordinate development of policies, procedures, and protocols to support effective operations.
Analyze Operational Excellence processes and procedures for continual improvement and facilitate or recommend improvements with project teams and appropriate leaders.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees.
Generous time off, including holidays, a preventative leave day, vacation, and sick time (approximately 37–38 days per year).
Vacation accrual increases with length of service.
Monthly Longevity Pay after two years of service.
Retirement/pension plan.
Free financial and legal counseling.
Free mental health counseling services.
Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs.
Employee discounts, including entertainment, car rentals, and cell phones.
Resources for child and elder care.