Project Manager - Strategic Initiatives (Healthcare)
Job Description
Job Description
Our healthcare client is seeking a dynamic Project Manager – Strategic Initiatives to support the CEO and executive leadership team in advancing critical organizational priorities. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, highly visible environment, working directly with executive leadership while driving meaningful operational improvements across multiple departments.
Role Overview: Reporting directly to the CEO (with a dotted-line to systemwide leadership), the Project Manager will provide structure, oversight, and execution support for strategic initiatives that strengthen compliance, streamline operations, and enhance member and provider experiences. Unlike traditional departmental management, this role focuses on special projects and cross-functional coordination, requiring a hands-on approach to both planning and execution.
Key Responsibilities: Partner closely with the CEO to scope, plan, and execute high-impact initiatives. Assess current state processes and develop actionable project plans to ensure forward progress. Collaborate with diverse groups including IT, Quality, Medical Directors, Claims & Processing, and Utilization Management. Support governance activities with the executive leadership team and external oversight bodies. Stand up and coordinate new steering committees for emerging initiatives. Develop project tracking and reporting tools, leveraging systems such as Jira, Qlik, and data visualization platforms. Translate business and regulatory requirements into structured reporting, dashboards, and metrics to monitor progress. Ensure consistent project documentation, progress tracking, and alignment with organizational priorities. Focus Areas Regulatory Compliance: Map and standardize workflows, strengthen internal audit tools, and prepare the organization for state and federal oversight. Claims Operations: Redesign workflows to improve timeliness, accuracy, and efficiency while partnering with IT to implement automation and payment integrity solutions. Utilization Management: Standardize UM processes, improve turnaround times, and support Medical Directors in consistent clinical decision-making.
Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of experience in quality measurement, process improvement, or health plan operations OR Master’s degree with 2+ years of related experience. Strong background in project management; PMP certification is a plus but not required. Familiarity with healthcare/managed care operations and regulatory environments strongly preferred. Experience with project management and reporting tools (Jira, Qlik, data visualization platforms). Ability to gather requirements, assess processes, and create actionable improvement plans. Executive presence with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Ideal Candidate Quick thinker with strong multitasking abilities. Comfortable “jumping in” and doing the work as well as tracking it. Adept at working with executive leadership and board-level stakeholders. Highly adaptable, tech-savvy, and able to leverage tools (including AI) to enhance efficiency. Thrives in a high-energy, demanding environment and aligns with the CEO’s fast-paced work style. Additional Details Employment Type: Contract-to-permanent placement (strong potential to transition into a permanent opening through a transparent, competitive evaluation process). Location: Bay Area, CA (onsite presence required for executive-facing role). Reports To: CEO (with dotted-line alignment to systemwide priorities). This is an outstanding opportunity for a strategic yet hands-on project manager who wants to make a lasting impact in healthcare operations while working alongside a visionary CEO.