Operations Excellence Specialist III

Overview

Be inspired. Be rewarded. Belong. At Emory Healthcare.

At Emory Healthcare we fuel your professional journey with better benefits, valuable resources, ongoing mentorship and leadership programs for all types of jobs, and a supportive environment that enables you to reach new heights in your career and be what you want to be. We provide:

• Comprehensive health benefits that start day 1 • Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs • Family-focused benefits • Wellness incentives • Ongoing mentorship, development, and leadership programs • And more

Work Location: Atlanta, GA

Description

The Operational Excellence Specialist III at Emory Healthcare is a senior-level role responsible for leading high-impact, cross-functional process improvement initiatives that directly contribute to enhanced patient care, operational efficiency, and cost reduction.

This role involves managing complex projects, serving as a strategic advisor on operational improvements, and mentoring junior team members.

The Specialist III will leverage advanced process improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma to identify and execute improvements across departments, facilitating a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization

Leadership in Process Improvement:

• Lead and manage high-impact, complex projects focused on optimizing healthcare systems and workflows, enhancing patient outcomes, and driving organizational efficiency
• Apply advanced Lean, Six Sigma, and PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) methodologies to tackle cross-departmental challenges

Strategic Data Analysis:

• Conduct sophisticated data analysis using statistical and analytical tools to assess operational performance, identify process bottlenecks, and pinpoint areas for improvement
• Develop advanced control charts, predictive models, and comprehensive performance dashboards
• Utilize advanced techniques to access eHMR database system and retrieve custom reports and metrics

Mentorship and Training:

• Serve as a mentor and resource to junior Specialists and staff members on Lean, Six Sigma, and PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) principles, project management, and analytical techniques
• Provide training on complex concepts, including value stream mapping, process reengineering, and advanced root cause analysis

Project Management & Execution:

• Lead all aspects of project management, from initial planning and stakeholder alignment to implementation and post-project evaluation
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and align with Emory Healthcare's strategic goals

Operational Assessment & Productivity Review:

• Conduct in-depth assessments of departmental productivity and operational efficiency
• Identify root causes of inefficiencies, develop actionable recommendations, and partner with departments to implement sustainable solutions

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Act as a liaison between departments, facilitating cross-functional teams to identify and execute improvement initiatives that align with organizational priorities
• Collaborate with clinical and administrative leaders to drive best practices in operational excellence

Reporting & Communication to Senior Leadership:

• Develop and present executive-level reports, analyses, and project outcomes
• Effectively communicate project progress, impact, and value to senior leadership and stakeholders

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

• Research and implement cutting-edge operational improvement strategies and industry best practices
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that build a sustainable culture of operational excellence across Emory Healthcare

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, or a related field. Master's degree strongly preferred
• Experience: 5-7 years of experience in process improvement or operations, with a minimum of 3 years in a healthcare environment
• Proven experience in leading complex projects with measurable impact
• Certifications: Lean and/or Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred
• Additional certifications in project management or process improvement methodologies preferred

Skills:

• Advanced expertise in Process Improvement methodologies, with a proven ability to apply these concepts to complex, large-scale projects
• Proficient in data analysis and visualization tools, including Excel, Tableau, Power BI, Minitab, or other statistical software
• Strong project management skills, capable of independently managing multiple high-impact projects
• Access eHMR and other databases to modify established reports for analysis
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with experience interacting with executive leadership and cross-functional teams

Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to influence and guide high-level process improvement initiatives with a focus on strategic alignment with organizational goals
• Analytical Excellence: Expert in data analysis, with a proven ability to use analytics to drive decision-making and continuous improvement
• Mentorship & Collaboration: Skilled at mentoring and leading junior team members, and at fostering collaboration across departments
• Results-Oriented: Demonstrated success in delivering substantial improvements in quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes in a healthcare setting

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at [email protected]. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.