Job Title: Director of Performance Excellence

Department: Performance Excellence

Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer 

Exemption: Exempt

Date Revised: 02/18/2025

Position Summary

The Director of Performance Excellence will partner directly with the senior leadership team and Chief Strategy Officer to foster a culture of continuous improvement and drive an integrated system of strategy, improvement, and daily management across the organization. 

Essential Functions

• The Director of Performance Excellence will develop and oversee LOPA’s innovation and continuous improvement functions to ensure successful completion of the Agency’s strategic plan and operational initiatives. 
• Partners with operational agency-wide leaders to accumulate, analyze and leverage data to effectively present insights to diverse stakeholders and drive strategic organizational change.
• Develops Performance Excellence champions; partnering them with operations at the point of workflow for identification of improvement and innovation opportunities and application of continuous improvement initiatives.  
• Facilitates and/or supports improvement work at all levels of the Agency and acts as an agent of change for continuous improvement efforts. Fosters a curious culture with an interest in learning and a commitment to spread improvements from operational leaders.
• Leads workshops with project teams to advance strategic initiatives and mentor Performance Excellence champions. 
• Utilizes current organizational resources to determine next steps in the process. 
• Assists in the development and execution of the LOPA’s strategic plans, developing goals and tactical plans to assist in meeting organizational objectives.
• Effectively and professionally communicates to internal and external audiences via different media, including, but not limited to, verbal, written and digital media.
• Ensures performance of assigned staff
  • Using data, evaluates performance of direct reports on a scheduled basis (as defined by HR)  and provides appropriate feedback
  • Establishes, communicates and continually assesses job responsibilities and performance expectations to assure mutual understanding and execution of desired results
  • Ensures employee compliance with applicable policies and procedures, inclusive of HR policies
• Works with HR in the recruitment, interviewing and selection of applicants for department, including job description development and maintenance
• Works with HR in the development, growth and performance management of assigned staff

Job Role Expectations

• Senior leadership of LOPA’s Performance Excellence program, inclusive of:
  • Leading the development of a system to receive, prioritize, approve and monitor continuous improvement initiatives for the Agency, inclusive of the authority to manage pace and prioritization of change.
  • Supporting Agency in the identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement programs.
  • Developing and conducting workshops on application of continuous improvement tools.
• Establishes department goals, manages department performance and oversees departmental process improvement and strategic initiatives.
• Maintains and approves time cards and expense reimbursement of direct reports.
• Works with the executive team in development of departmental budget.
• Leverage departmental resources in support of strategic goals of the agency. 
• Conducts regular department meetings.
• Keeps direct supervisor updated on issues/challenges within the department through reporting or monthly meetings.
• Participates in assigned leadership meetings/training.
• Creates and fosters positive professional relationships for enhanced collaboration with internal and external customers, partners and stakeholders.

Organizational Expectations

• Upholds LOPA core values of selfless, authentic and passionate
• Serves as a role model for all employee and leadership written expectations
• Timely completion of all required educational training, tasks and SOP reviews by assigned due date

Supervisory or Advanced Responsibilities

Supervision of direct reports per Org Chart.

Role Progression

This role may be eligible for progression to an Executive position if one is made available. Promotion to Executive will be at the discretion of the Executive team.

Work Environment

• Possible exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, airborne illnesses, hazardous materials, pharmacological agents with little likelihood of harm if established health precautions are followed.
• May, at times, have exposure to blood, packaged organs and tissues for transplant and/or research in a hospital setting or while in the office. 
• Possible mental and visual fatigue associated with detailed work.
• This position requires travel, as needed.

Physical Demands

• May require extended periods of sitting
• Requires driving when travel is needed

Work Hours

Full time, salaried position. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm with flex time available at the discretion of the direct supervisor. 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or healthcare field required.
• Minimum of five years quality assurance/performance improvement related experience in a healthcare setting. 
• Knowledge of the principles of quality improvement, professional education, as well as organ and tissue donation processes. Experience in donation and transplantation preferred. 
• Comprehensive achievement in continuous improvement, strong organizational and project management skills and previous experience working with regulatory agencies required. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated competency in data management and analysis. Effectively gathers information, develops and analyzes options to recommend solutions and assist teams in solving complex problems.  
• Possesses the ability to be an analytical thinker, strong decision making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. Must demonstrate active listening and ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations. Communication style must foster trust, credibility and understanding.
• Ability to produce a high quality work, draw projects to completion in a timely manner with demonstrated outcomes.
• Knowledge of performance improvement tools; demonstrated ability to effectively utilize various performance improvement tools.
• Effective leadership abilities: 
  • Self-starter with a willingness to try new ideas
  • Ability to work collaboratively with others and develop consensus
  • Ability to implement change to achieve high standards in a collaborative, positive, and forward-thinking manner 
  • Develops goals and establish priorities
  • Inspires confidence and promotes teamwork
  • Must be computer literate.
• Detail-oriented, reliable and flexible; ability to respond and adapt to a complex, changing environment; a driving force who manages toward clarity, finds solutions and is able to think strategically about the organization.
• A team player with a flexible, collaborative and creative approach who can lead along the LOPA team.
• Ability to see the organizational goals as they relate to the “big picture.”
• Ability to effectively manage people and processes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite software.
• Must be able to effectively operate Google suite applications as well as learn and adopt computer skills to effectively update and communicate within programs.