Assistant Director

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

500172 OBGYN Admin-SMH

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 115

Compensation Range:

$97,400.00 - $146,000.00

Responsibilities:

The University of Rochester Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is a large and complex department, encompassing six divisions, multiple clinical programs, and 15 regional locations. Annually, it manages 200,000 ambulatory visits, 5,388 inpatient admissions, and over 4,000 surgical procedures, generating nearly $136 million in revenue. The department is seeking an Assistant Director, Operations Excellence for a pivotal new role. This position is designed for a proactive, strategic, and collaborative leader with a strong analytical mindset who will drive the standardization and optimization of clinical operations across our extensive footprint. Reporting to the Senior Director for Program Administration, the Assistant Director, Operations Excellence will operate with autonomy in a highly collaborative environment, primarily focusing on Ambulatory Clinical Administration and Operations, Operational Excellence, and Hospital-Based Administrative Services. The ideal candidate will be results-oriented, adaptable, and deeply committed to a patient- and staff-centric approach, demonstrating integrity and discretion in all interactions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Clinical Operations Management & Optimization

• Develop, implement, and monitor standardized operational policies and procedures to ensure consistency, compliance, and best practices throughout the department.
• Optimize administrative and operational functions of clinical services across multiple divisions, collaborating with Division Chiefs and Division Administrators to ensure efficient patient flow, scheduling, and resource utilization.
• Supervise the Department's Referral and Prior Authorization team.
• Provide functional guidance and oversight to Surgical Schedulers, enabling workflow collaboration across divisions to optimize surgical time and scheduling efficiencies.
• Oversee Administrative Hospital Services within the Department, including the Birth Registrar’s Office.
• Champion and implement initiatives to foster a culture of excellence and innovation, emphasizing strong customer service and ensuring compliance with state, federal, and Joint Commission regulations.

Strategic Planning & Program Leadership

• Contribute to high-level strategic planning, including budgeting for clinical capital expenditures and resource allocation, ensuring alignment across divisions with departmental and institutional goals.
• Identify and implement strategies for cooperative cost-effectiveness and efficient resource utilization within the clinical environment, optimizing shared resources where functions converge and maintaining differentiation where appropriate
• Serve as a liaison between clinical divisions, central hospital administration, and external partners to facilitate seamless communication and problem resolution.
• Represent the department in various institutional committees and workgroups related to clinical operations, patient safety, and administrative best practices.
• Lead strategic departmental initiatives as a Program and/or Project Manager, guiding concept development from inception to long-term success across inter-disciplinary teams.

Performance Monitoring & Operational Excellence

• Develop and implement a framework to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to patient care, operational efficiency, and quality outcomes across all ambulatory practices.
• Create metrics relevant to specific clinical stakeholder groups and develop a strategy for sustained engagement with data and information to drive performance and operational alignment.
• Lead data-informed operational performance monitoring and quality improvement initiatives that enhance patient and staff experiences.
• Establish accountability structures that enable leaders within Divisions and Clinics to use data to inform strategic direction.
• Develop effective communication strategies to disseminate performance indicators related to clinical operations, patient satisfaction, and revenue cycle integrity, identifying trends and areas for improvement and driving the implementation of corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives

Team Leadership & Development

• Serve as a subject matter expert on clinical operational approaches, tracking, and implementation strategies to enable innovative, patient- and provider-centered solutions for complex operational challenges in diverse clinical environments.
• Provide strategic guidance for administrative and support staff management plans within clinical areas.
• Foster a cohesive, high-performing team environment that yields low turnover and high staff satisfaction.
• Mentor, educate, and develop staff and faculty on matters related to operational excellence, promoting a collaborative environment and buy-in to enable successful team contributions.

Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in business administration or related field with emphasis on operations and strategy and 3 years of related experience, including at least one year in a leadership role required Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5 years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a clinical or hospital environment, including at least 2 years at a managerial level preferred 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent project management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously required
• Demonstrated experience in change management, including stakeholder engagement and communication required
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to collect, interpret, and use data to drive decisions. required
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence at all levels of the organization required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management software required
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt) preferred
• Demonstrated track record of problem-solving in new or evolving roles, comfortable with ambiguity and building structure from the ground up preferred.
• Deep understanding of clinical operations, patient-flow principles, change management, and quality improvement methodologies preferred.
• Skilled in managing multiple priorities, building effective partnerships, and influencing stakeholders across various divisions preferred.
• Proficiency with electronic health/record management systems (e.g. Epic) and data-driven KPI monitoring preferred.
• Strong financial and resource-management acumen preferred
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and communicate complex information clearly, both verbally and in writing preferred.
• Project and change management skills: scoping, scheduling, risk mitigation, and cross-functional coordination preferred.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.