Position Summary:
The Director of Operational Initiatives is responsible for operations planning, operations strategy and operational initiatives for CRi's clinical programs and services, in accordance with the policies and practices of the agency and in adherence with all applicable laws and/or regulations. Working directly under the Chief Clinical Officer/EVP, the Director serves as a strategic advisor and thought partner, using data, financial analysis and operational insight to answer the questions that shape where CRi grows, redesigns or draws down its services, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of how those services are delivered.
The EVP/CCO sets strategic direction and retains ultimate accountability and final authority on strategy and budget; the Director of Operational Initiatives owns the development of operations strategy, analysis, recommendations and initiatives. The Director is a strategic partner to the Senior Directors of Clinical Operations, who retain responsibility for day-to-day operations and execution. The Director is a member of the clinical leadership team and does not serve as the EVP/CCO's standing designee, but may represent the EVP/CCO and clinical services in planning and strategy forums as delegated. The Director may also be called upon to exercise supervision on a short-term or long-term temporary basis to provide coverage during turnover situations.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
· Own the development, implementation and evaluation of operations strategy, long-range operational plans and strategic initiatives for CRi's clinical services, translating the EVP/CCO's strategic direction into planning frameworks, priorities and measurable goals. Lead initiatives assigned by the EVP/CCO from analysis through planning and handoff to operational owners, applying project and change management practices.
· Serve as strategic advisor and thought partner to the EVP/CCO, and as strategic partner to the Senior Directors of Clinical Operations, bringing data-informed options and recommendations on operational, workforce and growth questions.
· Lead market, capacity and feasibility analyses to answer expansion questions, including community need and referral demand, competitive landscape, staffing requirements, reimbursement and financial return; present recommendations and business cases to the EVP/CCO.
· Evaluate program and site performance and sustainability using data on utilization, occupancy, productivity, quality, outcomes, cost and revenue; identify programs for growth, redesign, consolidation or draw-down, and recommend actions with supporting analysis and implementation considerations.
· Diagnose operational barriers to access and throughput, including the causes of delayed admissions and vacancies in IDD Waiver and other residential homes (such as referral and intake flow, eligibility and authorization, staffing and regulatory requirements), and recommend and help lead solutions with operational leaders.
· Analyze staffing models and role requirements, including whether and where a position requires a particular license, certification or credential, in consultation with Compliance, Human Resources, Staff Development and credentialed clinical leaders; support workforce planning for current and planned services.
· Identify and lead process improvement and streamlining efforts across programs, standardizing workflows and reducing duplication, with clear owners, milestones and measures; operational leaders retain ownership of implementation within their programs.
· Develop and maintain operational performance measures and dashboards with Quality and IT/Informatics; use data to report trends, risks and opportunities to the EVP/CCO, executive leadership and the Board as requested.
· Research, analyze and communicate pending legislation, regulation, policy and funding changes and their potential impact on CRi's services; make recommendations for policy, budgetary and operational improvement.
· Serve as a liaison between CRi's clinical services and external stakeholders, including state agencies, payers, provider associations and community partners, on operational issues; facilitate, lead and/or participate in meetings, committees, workgroups and conferences on behalf of the EVP/CCO and clinical services; initiate and maintain internal and external relationships that support CRi's goals; and respond to information requests, all as delegated.
· Partner with Accounting and Finance on budget inputs, financial modeling, and cost, margin and reimbursement analysis, and with Business Development to assess the operational fit, readiness and capacity for new contracts, grants, partnerships and program opportunities.
· Serve as a cross-departmental strategic partner to Operations, Human Resources, Finance, Business Development, Compliance, Quality, Risk, IT and Staff Development, coordinating planning efforts, resolving cross-department issues that affect strategy, and working with Compliance and Risk so that plans and recommendations account for licensure, accreditation, payer and regulatory requirements; compliance, legal and clinical determinations remain with appropriately credentialed or designated owners.
· Support, organize and manage rapidly changing priorities and crisis situations in a focused and professional manner.
· Safeguard client and clinical information, upholding HIPAA and confidentiality requirements, and use aggregate or de-identified data for planning and analysis wherever possible.
· May perform other duties as required.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications Required:
· Must have a Bachelor's degree in business administration, healthcare or public administration, public health, social work, psychology or a related field; a graduate degree (MBA, MHA, MPH or a behavioral health field) is preferred. A combination of education and directly relevant experience may be considered.
· Clinical licensure preferred (for example, LCSW, LPC, LMFT or another behavioral health license recognized in Virginia).
· Must have [eight (8)] years' progressive experience in operations, strategy, planning, program management or business analysis in behavioral health, human services, IDD services or healthcare, including at least [three (3)] years in a senior or director-level role.
· Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, market and feasibility analysis, and using data to guide decisions to expand, redesign or draw down programs.
· Strong analytical skills, with experience in financial and operational modeling, performance dashboards and reporting tools, and EHR or other data systems.
· Working knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, regulatory, licensing and accreditation requirements, policy and legislative analysis, and Medicaid, managed care and Virginia IDD Waiver reimbursement. Experience with residential or community-based services is preferred.
· Experience with budget and financial analysis, process improvement and change management; Lean, Six Sigma or project management certification is a plus.
· Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at executive and Board levels, to collaborate across departments without direct authority, and to communicate with clinical teams in remote locations.
· Strong organizational, problem-solving and long-range planning skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage rapidly changing priorities.
· Commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented and culturally responsive care.
Physical Demands:
· Normal office environment; regular local travel to program sites required.
· Occasional evening, weekend or on-call availability for urgent clinical or operational matters.
· Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Supervision Exercised:
· Supervise aspects of Clinical Operations as delegated by the Chief Clinical Officer
· May be called upon to exercise supervision on a short-term or long-term temporary basis to provide coverage during turnover situations
Supervision Received:
· Executive Vice President / Chief Clinical Officer