Job Summary

The Senior Lean Operations Strategist will serve as an advisor and facilitator of the strategic planning and deployment process across Denver Health, from frontline teams to executives. Leads overall Lean Systems Improvement (LSI) department engagement planning efforts and oversees execution to ensure adherence to organizational strategic goals and initiatives. Collaborates with team members and wider organization to understand, intake, and prioritize requests for performance improvement. Socializes and manages strategic portfolio of work with the organization. When directed, coaches, facilitates, and partners with strategically identified areas to advance process improvement and lean management practice. Works collaboratively with the Director to establish robust processes to identify key metrics and measure results of Lean supported initiatives. As directed, provides training, curriculum development, and management support for the Denver Health Lean Academy.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Serves as an advisor and facilitator of the strategic planning and deployment process across Denver Health, from frontline teams to executives
• Assists in the development of strategies to identify and sustain future state goals that align and drive Denver Health organizational strategy
• Assists in the prioritization and management of process improvements, leads and facilitates across functional teams to improve process, identify and remove barriers that prevent successful attainment of defined goals and responsible for proactively identifying opportunities to significantly impact organizational goals
• Leads overall LSI engagement planning efforts and oversees execution to ensure adherence to organizational strategic objectives and priorities
• Governs the process of intake, prioritization, and implementation for LSI engagements (via Obeya)
• Leads the socialization of strategic portfolio and communication of progress with broader leadership
• Collaboratively monitors department capacity with the Director and recommends assignments as appropriate

Execution of performance improvement and capability development

• Can serve as a product line or specialized service area lead as identified by the Director
• Partners with senior leadership to drive sustained performance and elevate Lean capability within assigned area(s)
• Assumes lead role and facilitates system-level collaboration on complex, strategic and organization-wide initiatives with key leadership stakeholders and committees
• Leads key initiatives and continuous improvement projects that align with DH priorities with all levels of management
• Supports and or leads the development of key enablers within "capability development" pillar of LSI strategy such as Communication, Academy, Standards and Assessment
• Leads assigned content development end to end
• Supports leadership and frontline staff with implementation of improvement activities and A3s
• Monitors and measures the benefits from improvement activities
• Provides data management support (developing appropriate metrics, tracking data, interpreting data, presenting data)
• Provides basic project management/activity tracking support for LSI work products, asks clarifying questions, encourages group participation, observes and responds to group dynamics and utilizes a flexible approach to achieve objectives. Monitors and measures the benefits from improvement activities
• Provides flexible and responsive at the elbow support for all levels of management and front-line staff that focuses on continuous improvement and the development of Lean management systems that produce results
• Completes administrative duties associated with improvement activities and other LSI work efforts

Content development

• Researches, develops, tests, and creates content and curriculum for Denver Health Lean Academy and Lean System Improvement Team
• Creates, edits, and collaborates on team standard work and products
• Acts as thought leader and looks for opportunities to ongoingly improve exiting content
• Creates content for social media, internal and external communications
• Supports team to adopt, practice, and advance Lean practices in all key services and internal operations

Lean Academy

• Provides course instruction inside the Denver Health Lean Academy (DHLA)
• Develops relationships with customers, both internal to Denver Health and external, of Denver Health Lean Academy
• Provides coverage for DHLA sections with limited preparation time
• Develops and PDSA for DHLA course content, both in person and virtual
• Supports adult learners by providing dynamic instruction while making content engaging and digestible
• Assists in planning and evaluation of Lean training programs and materials and curricula development
• Supports the strategic direction, business development, budget planning, course content development and instruction, and management for the Denver Health Lean Academy Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration, Business, or Engineering. MBA preferred. Combination of experience, education and training will be considered
• Typically, ten years of experience in strategic planning, process improvement, or project management. Healthcare related experience with team leadership experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Lean (Toyota Production System) implementation and approach is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Lean tools ,management systems, and methods, including Hoshin Kanri
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills and experience
• Proficient in data management and analysis, project management, organization, and prioritization skills preferred
• Effective team building skills
• Ability to drive change up and down the organization
• Experience building and proficient in delivering adult education curriculum preferred
• Strong written/verbal communication
• Strong troubleshooting/problem-solving, interpersonal and conflict management/mediation skills, ability to regulate one’s own reactions and emotions
• Able to document and measure results, basic statistical analysis and data management skills are desired
• Able to influence and motivate others
• Promotes positive interpersonal (customer) relationships with fellow employees, physicians, patients and visitors. Treats these individuals with courtesy, dignity, empathy and respect; consistently displays courteous and respectful verbal and non-verbal communications
• Manages portfolio of work with autonomy and operates with a high level of self-efficacy. Takes responsibility for actions and does not blame others. Requests help when needed
• Ensures confidentiality of patient information by creating and maintaining a secure and trusting environment by not sharing information learned on the job, except, when necessary, in the performance of the job responsibilities or to improve a patient’s care

Computers and Technology

• Able to use Microsoft Office software including PowerPoint and Excel
• Experience with Smartsheet, Hootsuite, Trello or Cornerstone Certificates, Licenses and Registration
• Lean certification preferred.

Shift

Days

Work Type
Full time

Salary:

$93,000.00 - $139,600.00/yr

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Denver Healthis an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 18 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison and Safety, a Public Health department, an HMO and The Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided billions in uncompensated care for the uninsured. Denver Health is viewed as an Anchor Institution for the community, focusing on hiring and purchasing locally as applicable, serving as a pillar for community needs, and caring for more than 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

We strongly support diversity in the workforce and Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

Denver Health is committed to provide equal treatment and equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. As an EOE, Denver Health does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.