Research Senior Program Manager - Center for Health & Nature at Houston Methodist Academic Institute

At Houston Methodist, the Sr Program Manager position is responsible for comprehensive program management, including setting the strategic direction for the assigned area of responsibility, for complex and large programs and is accountable for performance against strategy/goals. This position will lead, design, guide and execute strategies while managing relationships internally with hospital leadership and externally with clients, partners and vendors. Success in the Sr Program Manager position includes partnering with key operations stakeholders to design and successfully execute program elements that ensure senior leadership engagement and governance of the system strategy. This position focuses on planning and design implementation to measurement and maintenance of desired outcomes with minimal supervision, developing meaningful reports to support business activities, and communicating professionally and persuasively verbally and in writing. The Sr Program Manager position works independently and collaboratively to proactively identify problems and creative solutions to address requirements, while serving as role model and mentor to junior team members and partnering with vendors in assigned area of responsibility on data, process solutions and advisement. This position is responsible for various administrative and operational functions, and financial stewardship while providing education and technical expertise related to the program for successful implementation and sustainability.

Additional Information: As a Senior Program Manager with The Center for Health & Nature and Houston Methodist Office of Sustainability you will play a pivotal role in expanding research and initiatives at the intersection of health and nature with Houston Methodist. The key function for the role will involve clinical program development including the advancement of nature and health research across various physician and hospital service lines as well as advancing community engagement for sustainability in healthcare. You will serve in a research administration function for faculty and research support for both the Center for Health & Nature and the Office of Sustainability with responsibility for managing research projects and clinical trials including principal investigator coordination, funding, and grant writing. This position will require diligent financial management for budgeting including philanthropic and grant funding. This position will serve as clinical sustainability lead for the Office of Sustainability in support of clinical based sustainability programs to include project management and clinical engagement.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitates the promotion of teamwork within and between departments; participates and/or leads and facilitates department process improvements as needed. Effectively builds and leverages relationships with key stakeholders to develop and promote system-wide programming, obtains buy-in to change efforts, provides ongoing consultation and promotes Houston Methodist strategies. Works cross-entity (system-wide) to achieve innovative and actionable outcomes.

• Leads program strategies with key stakeholders and others to ensure department timelines, deliverables and budgets are met. Serves as a primary resource/subject matter expert and a key liaison to councils and professional groups.

• Leads communication with authority to individuals and groups in a manner that engages and helps them understand and retain information, managing expectations. Provides timely guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task or solve a problem.

• Serves as mentor and role model for coworkers. Initiates opportunities for improvement of department/program score for turnover/retention/employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates the operation of departments to confirm that assigned programs are completed according to specifications, budgets and timelines. Consults with colleagues, leaders, and other stakeholders to improve effectiveness and efficiency of programs. Regularly discusses any program problems, ensuring that customers/clients are updated on the status.

• Partners with management to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of assigned program, monitors progress and achievement of objectives, and identifies corrective actions as indicated. Provides leadership with decision support needed to make informed strategic decisions.

• Analyzes data relevant to the scope of the role and provides summary information to key internal stakeholders to develop system-wide strategies to improve targeted outcomes.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops an implementation plan for launching programmatic elements within focus area, providing support in planning and organizing cross-functional unit and cross-entity activities and committees. Drives strategy and ensures the success of programs and/or assigned sponsorships/events.

• Researches and analyzes various types of data, compiling high quality reports, proposals, presentations, and other documentation for senior management and customers. Develops effective business cases and presents to leadership, clients and stakeholders in order to influence and facilitate strategic change, as appropriate.

• Leads external and internal program committees and task forces, ensuring that critical objectives are clearly explained, and action items are appropriately delegated. Follows up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments.

• Develops and leads training strategies, education and communication related to program(s) to drive improved outcomes for the patient and/or employee experience. Identifies key measures to periodically assess outcomes and continuously enhances improvement.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Effectively manages the scope, schedule and budget of assigned programs. Provides support to aid in complex financial decision-making related to program. Tracks year-to-year trends and identifies opportunities for financial improvement. Monitors the success of the program, engagement strategies and budget, identifying cost-saving and waste-elimination opportunities.

• Maintains interdepartmental accountability for systems-related issues that impact financial feasibility of the program. Forecasts potential schedule delays and develops alternate plans.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as part of a cross-system team that creates and executes mission driven events. Supports hospital and system goals and offers innovative solutions through participation in department projects to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of current practices. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

• Leads the development of outreach and communications strategies and plans, including assessing needs and opportunities and developing strategies and implementation plans relating to all external outreach, marketing, and communications within scope of role.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree or higher in business, healthcare administration, clinical or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years experience related to business or healthcare administration or in a nonprofit setting; may consider HM employee with four years' experience who demonstrates progressive responsibilities

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.

• Strong communication and presentation skills. Ability to conduct effective presentations when working with physician leadership, administrators and peers and a variety of audiences

• Ability to establish and maintain positive leadership, project team member and internal relationships

• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills

• Ability to lead meetings, conversations and present with authority

• Ability to work under pressure and balance many competing priorities

• Ability to multi-task and work in an organized manner

• Ability to uphold confidential and sensitive information

• Proficient in spreadsheet, word-processing, and presentation software

• Good judgment and decision-making ability, with strong analytical and critical thinking skills; understands when to escalate issues

• Ability to engage and be open to ideas offered by others; works collaboratively and contributes to dialogue

• Demonstrated initiative in managing projects and communication with stakeholders

• Ability to work autonomously on multiple tactical and strategic initiatives

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Academic Institute oversees the Education Institute and Research Institute, including 772 faculty and 56,250 learners. The Academic Institute aligns our research and education initiatives in service to the clinical mission, providing solutions that answer the call for new technologies and skills our clinicians need for patient care.

Houston Methodist Education Institute coordinates our primary academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medicine and other joint programs, including the Engineering Medicine Program at Texas A&M University Intercollegiate School of Engineering Medicine. The Education Institute also oversees continuing medical education and graduate medical education, and supports more than 1,000 trainees in residence for medical, nursing, allied health and research education programs.

Houston Methodist Research Institute supports research programs and infrastructure that enable faculty across the system to bring new scientific discoveries to patients as rapidly as possible through the full cycle of a cure from conceptual bench research, to prototyping and development, to clinical trials and FDA approval. The Research Institute supports more than 1,387 clinical research protocols and $70.3 million in extramurally funded translational research programs.

Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.