Planning & Operations Director I (Hybrid)

American Medical Association • Chicago, IL

9d • $128,906 - $174,241 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Planning & Operations Director I serves as the strategy and operations leader for the American Medical Association’s Center for Digital Health and AI, translating strategic priorities into effective organizational operations, disciplined execution, and measurable results. Reporting directly to the SVP, the Director leads the Center’s operating model, financial and resource planning, cross-functional execution, and organizational effectiveness. The position exercises substantial independent judgment to resolve complex operational challenges, develop practical solutions, and coordinate across enterprise functions. As a strategic partner to the SVP and Center leadership, the Director contributes to business-unit strategy, priority setting, resource allocation, and organizational decision-making while ensuring the Center has the infrastructure and execution capacity to deliver its mission.

This is a hybrid position based in the Chicago, IL, or Washington, D.C. office, requiring three days per week in the office. The role is exempt and offers a salary range of $128,906 to $174,241, with eligibility to participate in an incentive plan.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategy, business operations, organizational leadership, management consulting, or a comparable field.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives, managing financial and resource planning, and advising senior leaders in complex organizations.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Experience in healthcare, technology, professional associations, or other complex, mission-driven organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Center’s operating model, including governance, decision-making structures, operating rhythms, workflows, and systems.
• Use independent judgment to diagnose and resolve complex operational challenges and execution barriers, escalating matters that require executive decisions or institutional approval.
• Direct financial and operational planning, including budget development, forecasting, resource allocation, investment tracking, and financial performance management in partnership with AMA Finance.
• Serve as the Center’s principal operational interface with Finance, Legal, Contracts, Compliance, Human Resources, Procurement, Technology, and other enterprise functions; coordinate contracting, procurement, recruitment, onboarding, reporting, and related operational needs while ensuring appropriate controls and timely issue resolution.
• Evaluate organizational capacity, operating effectiveness, and emerging resource needs; develop recommendations and implement approved improvements that support the Center’s growth and impact.
• Lead complex, high-priority initiatives across Center functions or the AMA by establishing execution plans, decision rights, milestones, dependencies, and success measures.
• Take ownership of ambiguous or stalled initiatives and determine the actions, stakeholders, resources, and coordination needed to advance them.
• Establish and manage Center-wide performance and execution processes, providing leadership with visibility into progress, risks, resource constraints, and emerging priorities.
• Resolve cross-functional dependencies and competing priorities through negotiation, problem-solving, and coordination with senior AMA stakeholders.
• Drive accountability by establishing clear ownership, following through on commitments, and ensuring decisions result in completed work and measurable outcomes.
• Advise the SVP with decision-ready analysis and actionable recommendations on priorities, organizational effectiveness, resource trade-offs, and complex management decisions.
• Lead strategic and annual operating planning, translating organizational ambitions into priorities, investment plans, resource requirements, performance measures, and execution roadmaps.
• Contribute to Center strategy by evaluating organizational capabilities, execution feasibility, resource trade-offs, and opportunities to increase impact.
• Lead preparation, coordination, and follow-through for critical leadership meetings, planning discussions, and executive engagements, ensuring clear decisions, ownership, and execution.
• Exercise delegated authority to advance Center priorities, resolve operational matters, and represent the SVP in appropriate internal discussions; escalate matters with significant financial, reputational, or institutional implications.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligibility to participate in an incentive plan.
• The posting refers applicants to the AMA’s benefits offerings but does not specify individual benefits.

What This Job Offers

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