Vizient ODB Specialist - Senior Financial Analyst

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

University of Iowa Health Care is the state’s only comprehensive academic medical center, bringing together world-class patient care, pioneering research, and outstanding education. As a nationally recognized leader in medicine, we offer opportunities to work alongside top experts in a collaborative, innovative environment that values excellence, compassion, and discovery. Join us in shaping the future of health care—while making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities across Iowa and beyond. UI Health Care has an opportunity for a Vizient Operational Database (ODB) Specialist to serve as an integral member of the UI Health Care Finance team and is responsible for coordinating the collection, validation, analysis, and quarterly submission of ODB data to Vizient. This role collaborates with stakeholders across Finance, Enterprise Analytics, departmental leadership, and Vizient to ensure accurate and timely reporting, while serving as the primary point of contact for ODB-related activities and benchmark reporting. The coordinator supports the use of Vizient data to identify performance trends and improvement opportunities, develop KPI reporting, and inform financial and operational decision-making in partnership with operating budget, decision support, and operational teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent amount of education and experience
3 years of accounting, auditing, and/or financial analysis experience
Prior experience utilizing or coordinating preparation and use of benchmark data
Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and desire to take on tough and challenging projects
Superb time management skills and the ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to perform complex financial analyses
Demonstrated ability to filter through ambiguity while executing on the details of tasks under tight deadlines
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in conjunction with cross-functional teams
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to think critically and creatively when working with data
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft software applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word

Nice To Haves

Experience in health care finance or analytics. Preference given to a background in an academic setting.
Demonstrated ability to transform data into useful information tailored to leadership needs through storytelling and data visualization
Experience with relational databases, structured query language (SQL), Power BI, and other data software
Experience in identifying opportunities for operational improvement, using creative efforts to bring about solutions
Ability to work effectively in ambiguous and complex situations
Knowledge of University of Iowa and UI Health Care accounting principles, internal controls, and information systems

Responsibilities

Coordinate UI Health Care's quarterly Operational Database (ODB) data submission to Vizient, collaborating with internal departmental stakeholders, Finance, Enterprise Analytics, and Vizient representatives.
Manage the quarterly ODB submission process, including data collection, entry, validation, reconciliation, finalization, and submission through Vizient's Data Collection Module.
Perform comprehensive data quality reviews and audits to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency, and appropriate interpretation of submitted data and resulting reports.
Serve as the primary point of contact for ODB-related communications, activities, questions, and initiatives involving internal UI Health Care stakeholders and external Vizient partners.
Coordinate data gathering requirements and collaborate with Enterprise Analytics and other data partners to support accurate, timely, and sustainable ODB reporting.
Communicate the impact of changes in services, volumes, staffing, revenues, expenses, organizational structure, and general ledger activity on ODB reporting and benchmarking results.
Coordinate and facilitate the annual review and completion of Vizient ODB questionnaires, surveys, and other required documentation.
Maintain and administer Vizient ODB user access and accounts in accordance with organizational needs and established processes.
Coordinate ODB education and training opportunities for stakeholders and collaborate with Vizient and internal partners to promote effective use and interpretation of ODB reporting.
Develop and maintain quarterly KPI dashboards and other reporting tools to communicate organizational performance, benchmark results, trends, and material changes to leadership and key stakeholders.
Partner with operational and financial leaders to interpret benchmark data, identify performance improvement opportunities, and support data-informed decision-making related to investments, utilization, productivity, and expense management.
Collaborate with Operating Budget, Decision Support, and other Finance teams to identify opportunities for operational efficiency and financial improvement and monitor performance following implementation of improvement initiatives.
Support the effective use of Vizient benchmarking and comparative data by translating complex results into meaningful insights and actionable information for stakeholders.