Senior Project Director

Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Senior Project Director (2 year contract)

About IHI

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is an independent not-for-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For over 30 years, IHI has used improvement science to advance and sustain better outcomes in health and health systems across the world. IHI brings awareness of safety and quality to millions, catalyzes learning and the systematic improvement of care, develops solutions to previously intractable challenges, and mobilizes health systems, communities, regions, and nations to reduce harm and deaths. IHI collaborates with a growing community to spark bold, inventive ways to improve the health of individuals and populations. IHI generates optimism, harvests fresh ideas, and supports anyone, anywhere who wants to profoundly change health and health care for the better. Learn more at ihi.org

Position Summary:

IHI is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Director to lead the design and execution of large-scale improvement initiatives. As an integral IHI team member and organizational leader, the Senior Project Director is responsible for driving successful planning and execution of projects as well as building and maintaining strong relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders and developing and presenting content within the area of health and health care improvement.

Position Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

High-Level Project Management and Content Expertise

• Apply deep experience and fluency in improvement science
• Lead strategic IHI initiatives aimed at improving health and health care at different scales, including our Strategic Partnership with St. Jude Global, which aims at improving survival rates and the quality and experience of care for children with cancer globally
• Build, cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with government agencies, healthcare organizations, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration and support to ensure impact of improvement initiatives.
• Negotiate difficult conversations to a desired end while maintaining trust and respect
• Actively promote the diversity of IHI's faculty and staff by identifying and developing emerging leaders from projects and programs
• Facilitate, synthesize, develop, and teach in the content area of improvement science internally and externally
• Along with Improvement Advisors, teach and apply IHI's core methodology of improvement science (e.g., Model for Improvement, reliability, spread) to accelerate partner results; coach individual teams to maintain pace

Organizational Leadership and Relationship Management

• Lead the development and implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at improving healthcare quality in Latin America, including pediatric oncology work with St. Jude Global
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify priorities and align efforts with regional needs
• Use market intelligence to identify and pursue new partnerships and funding opportunities, including grants, to support program initiatives
• Oversee the budgeting process for improvement initiatives, ensuring that financial resources are allocated effectively and that projects remain within budget
• Share and leverage work with and across other departments, providing insight and building organizational and regional business strategies
• Develop and achieve goals with deep understanding of impact on IHI's results, reputation, revenue, customer satisfaction, and staff satisfaction and engagement
• Consult with external organizations and senior leaders to cultivate, test, and implement system improvements

• Leverage internal and external customer relationships to achieve IHI's strategy
• Design, implement, and evaluate large-scale improvement initiatives leveraging evidence-based practices and innovative approaches to drive meaningful change and impact in healthcare delivery

• Internal and External Relationship Management
  • Communicate clear vision for IHI's work and the work of the team connected to it
  • Clearly communicate complex subjects internally and externally
  • Influence outcomes in difficult/complex conversations internally and externally
  • Represent IHI on external advisory groups and professional committees as needed
  • Deliver compelling presentations to audiences at meetings, external visits, and IHI conferences

Staff Development

• Lead and mentor a diverse team of professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning
• Funnel decision-making downward, empowering staff and sharing ownership
• Actively contribute to staff development and long-term succession planning
• Provide guidance and support to staff to ensure the successful execution of projects
• Supervise, mentor, and coach others; supervise direct reports aligned to the Home Team and/or subject matter, as appropriate; serve as a mentor and resource to effectively develop IHI Directors

Position Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge:
  • Extensive understanding of improvement science methodologies and frameworks
  • Familiarity with public health principles and practices, particularly in the Latin American context
  • Awareness of global and regional healthcare systems, policies, and challenges
  • Understanding of Latin America health care market and landscape
• Skills:
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to mentor and guide diverse teams across different cultures and languages
  • Project management skills, including being detail-focused and managing towards tight timelines
  • Demonstrated experience in business development, securing funding, and managing complex budgets
  • Excellent communication skills (both interpersonal and written), including superior presentation skills
  • Experience developing employees and providing effective supervision, coaching and feedback
  • Experience using data for improvement and to guide decision-making in real time
• Abilities:
  • Ability to design and execute large-scale improvement initiatives effectively.
  • Competence in adapting programs and key interventions to low- and middle-income settings
  • Capacity to build and maintain authentic, trusting/trusted relationships and partnerships with various stakeholders across and outside the organization

• Ability to maneuver through complex political situations to achieve desired outcomes

• Able to think about whole systems, rather than optimize for one part
• Create a compelling vision and build motivation with internal and external team
• Able to effectively coach and motivate customer teams
• Able to build and maintain authentic, trusting/trusted relationships across and outside the organization
• Drive to effectively develop self and others
• Able to actively support, communicate, and teach the unique culture and values of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, including the Values of Equity, Trust, Courage, and Love
• Commitment to IHI Values
• Commitment to equity, anti-racism, and the improvement of societal systems

Position Qualifications:

Required

General

• Bachelor's degree in related field or commensurate experience
• At least ten years' experience working in the field of health care improvement
• Proven track record of successfully leading large-scale improvement initiatives and managing strategic partnerships
• Experience leading staff teams with a high degree of interpersonal and cultural sensitivity and trust
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Portfolio Specific

• Demonstrated experience working in on global initiatives, particularly in Latin America
• Professional Proficiency in both English and Spanish
• Experience in presenting, group facilitation and/or other public speaking

Preferred

• Advance Degree or certification in Public Health, Healthcare Administrations, or related field.
• At least five years of experience leading teams of professionals
• Professional Proficiency in Portuguese
• Experience facilitating conversations on safety issues

Travel

• Occasional Travel Required both US and International

Physical Attributes

• Ability to Sit for Extended Periods: Capability to work at a desk for long durations

• Manual Dexterity: Proficiency in using a computer, including typing, mouse handling, and other office equipment

• Visual Acuity: Ability to read and view a computer screen for extended periods

• Hearing and Speaking: Clear communication over phone and video calls

• Environment Setup: Access to a quiet, professional home office setup conducive to focused work and virtual meetings

• Lifting: Occasionally requires lifting up to 25 lbs as needed

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list or comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required.

At IHI, we are inspired to do our best work and be our best selves by leaning into our values and uniting in our vision to create a future in which everyone has the best care and health possible. We ensure that people feel valued and supported in meaningful ways, as demonstrated in our total rewards package that features competitive compensation, medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability plans, FSA plans, matching 401k contributions, tuition reimbursement, a personal development allowance to support what matters to you, a professional development allowance to support continued learning, respect for personal commitments and flexibility to manage them, generous time off including vacation time, wellness and wellbeing time, and other special programs to support employee wellbeing.

IHI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex or gender, marital status, national origin or ancestry, disability, veteran status, military service, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, crime victim status, political belief, and any other protected class under applicable law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to complete our application, please let us know. Veterans are encouraged to apply.