Program Manager - Healthy Hometowns

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

About The Position

The Program Manager, Healthy Hometowns, provides strategic and operational leadership for the statewide Healthy Hometowns – Iowa’s Rural Health Transformation Program. The role manages all aspects of the Healthy Hometowns program, translating grant objectives into actionable plans, coordinating multi-agency initiatives across maternal and child health, behavioral health, cardiovascular care, and chronic disease prevention, and advancing telehealth integration and sustainable referral networks. Serving as the primary liaison to funders, state agencies, and partners, the role oversees long-term planning, compliance, and reporting. The role supervises staff and contractors, ensuring financial accountability and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team. Position Type: Specified Term. The initial appointment is for five years. Appointments may be extended based on performance and available funding.

Requirements

Master’s degree in public health, health administration, public policy, social sciences, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
3 years of related experience in health care, business, or operational management.
Demonstrated experience in strategy implementation and project management.
Proven ability to translate complex data into simple, actionable insights for a variety of stakeholders.
Demonstrated success working with and influencing senior leaders, with the ability to motivate and align stakeholders.
Strong financial, organizational, and staff resource management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to convey complex ideas clearly at all organizational levels.
Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Willingness to travel statewide.
Valid driver’s license plus the ability to meet the University of Iowa Fleet Safety program driving standards.
Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of University and UI Health Care policies, procedures and regulations.
5 years of experience managing or coordinating a rural health, grant-funded program.
Knowledge of Hub-and-Spoke healthcare models, telehealth, and rural health systems.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic vision, direction, and long-term planning for a major, high-visibility health care impact grant.
Translate the grant’s goals into actionable strategies, implementation plans, and performance metrics.
Identify organizational needs and develop solutions that drive operational excellence and program impact.
Mobilize, plan and assist in leading the Annual Kick‑Off Meeting
Maintain daily business operations and 3‑business‑day response standard to Iowa HHS and other participating groups
Facilitate planning, assessment, and implementation of Hub-and-Spoke models for maternal/child health, mental/behavioral health, cardiovascular care, and chronic disease prevention.
Guide telehealth integration and sustainable referral network development.
Initiate strategic partnerships among rural providers and draft collaboration agreements.
Coordinate shared systems for case management and specialty referrals.
Build and maintain the Work Plan; track deliverable‑based reimbursement and administrative cost cap
Coordinate Monthly Agency update meetings, Bi‑Annual progress meetings, and Annual Reports; ensuring on‑time submission of required reports
Lead day-to-day oversight of all program activities tied to the grant.
Direct project scope, planning, timelines, workstreams, and resource allocation to meet goals and budget targets.
Apply advanced project management methodologies to track progress, mitigate risks, and resolve issues proactively.
Manage multiple simultaneous workstreams while prioritizing efforts to meet deadlines and achieve outcomes.
Serve as the primary contact with funders; oversee reporting, compliance, deliverables, and communication.
Develop, manage, and monitor grant budgets; ensure alignment with funder and institutional requirements.
Maintain strict adherence to federal, state, and organizational policies and regulations.
Build and manage relationships with senior-level administrators, clinical leaders, community partners, and funders.
Facilitate collaboration across multiple organizational units and external partners, aligning efforts toward shared objectives.
Influence decision‑makers by integrating complex data, insights, and stakeholder perspectives into recommendations.
Convene and lead advisory groups, steering committees, and cross-functional working groups.
Develop performance metrics, generate program reports, and maintain compliance with RFP objectives and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) standards.
Monitor expenditures, ensure financial accountability, and oversee consultant input on legal and compliance matters.
Oversee development of evaluation frameworks and performance indicators.
Translate complex data and technical information into clear, actionable insights for leadership and stakeholders.
Prepare executive-level reports, presentations, and updates that communicate outcomes, progress, and risks.
Manage financial, organizational, and staff resources to support successful program delivery.
Provide leadership to project staff, analysts, consultants, and contractors.
Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
Serve as a primary contract with state health agencies, rural health partners, and subcontractors.
Supervise and align efforts across the teams.