Program Director

Quest Diagnostics•Schaumburg, IL

1d•$160,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Director is responsible for directing very high complexity matrixed teams to deliver high visibility, strategic projects within the new IT Operational Process Excellence program. The program will focus on executing projects leveraging a cross-functional programmatic governance and delivery approach to address IT operational process maturity gaps, ensuring security and compliance requirements. Quest has embarked on a multi-year, transformation strategy which needs to align with our mission and operating principles to create amazing technology experiences and deliver innovative solutions that empower our patients, clients and employees and create a healthier world, one life at a time. The IT Operational Process Excellence program will support the IT organization in transitioning to newer ways of working requiring refined skillsets and resourcing, coupled with maturation in the IT operational processes foundational to those new ways of working. This position will leverage structured program and project management principles and tools in daily work and acts as a change agent and role model to help reinforce desired behaviors and embed best practices and methodologies. Drives continuous improvement efforts and is also responsible for coaching others to learn and apply structured program management and process improvement principles to embed the tools and methodologies into standard ways of doing things. Quest Diagnostics follows a structured approach to project and program management consistent with globally recognized standards. The Program Director provides comprehensive written and verbal status updates to executive leadership, senior IT leadership, executive/program sponsor and key stakeholders for key strategic programs. The Program Director is responsible for driving broad cross-functional process improvement initiatives, as well as ensuring best practices are utilized throughout planning and execution management. Applies continuous improvement tools and techniques, toward a variety of large or complex problems. Manages a portfolio of initiatives that drive process improvement within and across business units as part of enterprise lifecycle management. This position may be based in Schaumberg, IL or Secaucus, NJ and is hybrid. Compensation range: $160,000 - $180,000 + 20% AIP Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Successful candidates may be eligible to receive annual performance bonus compensation. Benefits Information: We are proud to offer best-in-class benefits and programs to support employees and their families in living healthy, happy lives. Our pay and benefit plans have been designed to promote employee health in all respects – physical, financial, and developmental. Depending on whether it is a part-time or full-time position, some of the benefits offered may include: Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for FT employees who work 30+ hours Best-in-class well-being programs Annual, no-cost health assessment program Blueprint for Wellness® healthyMINDS mental health program Vacation and Health/Flex Time 6 Holidays plus 1 "MyDay" off FinFit financial coaching and services 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service Employee stock purchase plan Life and disability insurance, plus buy-up option Flexible Spending Accounts Annual incentive plans Matching gifts program Education assistance through MyQuest for Education Career advancement opportunities …and so much more!

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required (BS/BA)
PMP Certified Project Management, Certified Program Management Professional (externally administered by the Project Management Institute) strongly preferred
Agile certifications such as Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), SAFe Agilist (SA), or equivalent preferred
Formal training in project management or continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Lean) a plus
Demonstrated experience leading projects/programs from initiation to completion in a matrixed organization (10+ years’ experience)
Adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate.
Ability to interact professionally with colleagues and/or customers for different purposes in different contexts.
Maintain composure under pressure
Performs a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another
Ability to comprehend and follow verbal or written instructions
Using effective verbal communication
Using effective written communication
Concentrate on tasks
Ability to making decisions
Examine/observe details
Exceptional planning and organizational skills; results and process-oriented
Proven ability to deliver results in a matrixed organization
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across multiple formats at all organizational levels: formal presentations, facilitation of virtual meetings using conference calls and computer-based presentation tools, e-mails, and memos
Experience with Project Portfolio Management platforms
Advanced with MS office applications (Project, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Excel)
Composed when faced with conflict or difficult issue. Able to independently drive conflict/difficult issue to conclusion - leaving stakeholders dedicated and committed to moving forward regardless of position
Outstanding negotiation and decision-making skills
Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with others
Accountable, creative, strategic and flexible
Able to independently learn, articulate and drive new concepts rapidly
Ability to work independently absent supervision
Ability to operate in a dynamic environment and quickly adapts to change; must have ability to promote and build teamwork; exhibits assertiveness, delegates and empowers team members with focused leadership and commitment to meeting program goals and objectives
Demonstrated understanding of continuous improvement, process management, or system thinking
Skilled with "big picture" and selling vision to key stakeholders
Demonstrated experience leading change
Demonstrated ability to influence business leaders
Superior analytical skills
Mastered use of program/project tools and methodology

Nice To Haves

Experience managing enterprise portfolios and cross-functional strategic initiatives preferred in Life Sciences Sector a plus
General knowledge of Hoshin and breakthrough planning

Responsibilities

Performs root cause analysis using CI tools (e.g., 5 whys, lessons learned) at project and program level.
Documents and communicates project shortfalls.
Drives corrective action, analyzing at the project level, trending across projects/programs (people, process, system).
Drives learning, application, and adoption of structured program and project management tools and methodologies and coaches other employees on their effective use.
Responsible for program performance, risk management, administration and issue resolution for the functional team.
Develop quality assurance and control plans where indicated.
Directs programs and cross functional working teams to effectively initiate, plan, execute, monitor and close projects.
Acts as the primary liaison at the project and program level for all related information.
Develops and executes project plans, milestone charts, project/program documentation and scorecards according to requirements defined and approved by sponsor.
Facilitates high profile large scale intra- and inter-organizational meetings, workshops and targeted improvement events to help teams quickly achieve strategic objectives.
Manages project deliverables in accordance with approved schedules.
Analyzes critical path, proactively identifying issues and raising/facilitating resolution with cross-functional team.
Drives visibility to gaps impacting overall schedule.
Synchronize projects at program level to optimize delivery.
Drive visibility to critical path and gaps impacting overall schedule.
Drive roadblocks to resolution.
Manages sponsor and stakeholder expectations and establish regular points of communication.
Manages changes to project and or program scope, cost and schedule via formal change management process.
Proactively identifies and manages project/program risks.
Directs team members, key stakeholders and sponsors through roadblocks/barriers to resolution.
Acts as a change agent to drive key stakeholders, project/program sponsor and leadership toward success.
Tracks cost, budget, resources, plan and schedules and manage changes at program level as appropriate.
Ensures project artifacts are collected, documented and stored for audit and lessons learned purposes.
Direct external vendors as indicated to plan and execute program requirements.
Act as liaison for all program related communications and status updates.
Leads cross-functional efforts to develop and communicate business process documentation where absent/improvements needed to drive successful project/program planning and execution.
Understands strategic business direction with respect to portfolio/sub-portfolio and can prioritize initiatives and control program execution.
Manage a team of Project Managers.
Participate in the hiring of new resources.
Coaches and counsels direct reports.
Provides counseling related to career path to direct reports.
Guides direct reports in developing personal learning plans.
Supports skill development of direct reports.
Participates in performance review and feedback process.
Helps resolve performance issues for direct reports.

Benefits

Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for FT employees who work 30+ hours
Best-in-class well-being programs
Annual, no-cost health assessment program Blueprint for Wellness® healthyMINDS mental health program
Vacation and Health/Flex Time
6 Holidays plus 1 "MyDay" off
FinFit financial coaching and services
401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service
Employee stock purchase plan
Life and disability insurance, plus buy-up option
Flexible Spending Accounts
Annual incentive plans
Matching gifts program
Education assistance through MyQuest for Education
Career advancement opportunities