Senior Director of Operational Initiatives - Hybrid (3 Days Onsite)

Senior Director of Operational Initiatives - Hybrid (3 Days Onsite)

The Senior Director of Operational Initiatives in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO) for the Stanford School of Medicine will lead complex, high-visibility initiatives and projects that span Stanford Medicine. This role serves as a trusted advisor and facilitator to senior leaders, including faculty, department chairs, center directors, and administrative leaders and demands strong executive influence, superb project management, data-driven decision making, and the ability to navigate a complex academic medical environment with diplomacy and integrity.

The Senior Director will manage strategic and cross-functional initiatives and inter-entity projects that involve multiple faculty and staff leaders from across the School of Medicine, the University, and health systems, synthesizing multiple perspectives, priorities and objectives while aligning with the School’s mission, goals and strategies. These can range from short-term, rapid-turnaround projects to longer-term strategic efforts, including the rapid development of information and analyses for leadership; validating, reconciling and synthesizing data; addressing unexpected challenges such as system disruptions, data requests from external agencies, or process breakdowns; and execution of major initiatives such as operationalizing new programs and establishing affiliations with other entities. Key success factors may include developing organization structure, defining success metrics, projecting financial requirements, identifying sources for financial sustainability, facilitating communications and recruitments, onboarding, and coaching/guidance/project direction to ensure the outcomes are achieved.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO) provides operational support for the School of Medicine’s missions of education, research and patient care through its 500+ staff in four units - Educational Programs and Services, Research Operations/Research Management Group, Office of Facilities Planning and Management and Process Excellence. As a leader in the OCOO, the Senior Director collaborates with School and department leaders and the OCOO leadership team to strive for process improvements and excellence in the School of Medicine’s operations and delivery of its services. They represent the OCOO in internal and, when appropriate, external forums, building networks with other schools, centers, and healthcare organizations to share best practices and foster collaboration. They also coordinate standing operational groups and forums for the OCOO such as the School’s Operations Advisory Committee and are responsible for developing meeting agendas.

Duties Include

• Lead the planning and execution of initiatives and projects that support the Dean’s priorities and the COO’s agenda.
• Define clear objectives, milestones, accountability, and success metrics for initiatives and projects.
• Design and lead governance forums that enable decision-making, collaboration, and timely resolve of competing interests.
• Communicate strategy and progress clearly to diverse stakeholder groups; tailor messaging for senior leaders, faculty, and staff.
• Identify and manage risks associated with strategic initiatives; develop mitigation plans and escalation protocols.
• Develop and execute change management plans to ensure adoption, cultural alignment, and sustainability of major initiatives.
• Create strategic communication plans, including executive briefings, town halls, newsletters, and data-driven dashboards. Oversee the synthesis of information, development of written communication and presentation materials, and coordination of events.
• Cultivate executive sponsorship and stakeholder buy-in to minimize disruption and maximize value realization.
• Develop business cases, ROI analyses, and financial models for strategic initiatives; secure funding as needed.
• Collect and utilize data to inform decisions, course corrections, and continuous improvement.

Desired Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in strategy, program management, or a similar role within academic medicine, healthcare systems, or a large research institution.
• Proven track record of delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives with demonstrated impact.
• Demonstrated ability to influence at the executive level, build credibility, and lead without formal authority across diverse professional groups.
• Deep experience with governance, portfolio management, program development, and proven ability to deliver multi-year initiatives and projects on time and within budget.
• Strong analytical skills, experience with ROI/business case development, and proficiency in budgeting and financial forecasting related to large initiatives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, presentation, and facilitation skills; comfort with sensitive discussions and conflict resolution; ability to translate complex concepts for varied audiences.
• Familiarity with academic medicine operations, including education, research, clinical enterprise, regulatory/compliance, and sponsored programs is highly preferred.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) and data visualization and analytics platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

Education & Experience (Required)

Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Required)

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational and staff resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships.
• Relevant subject matter expertise.
• Strong project planning and management skills.
• Experience in or knowledge of business process improvement methodology.
• Ability to act independently and as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally use a telephone.
• Rarely lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors bases on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide,

The expected pay range for this position is $181,914 to $231,158 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4124
• Employee Status: Regular
• Grade: L
• Requisition ID:
• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible

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