Process Improvement Specialist

Job Summary

Serves as a subject matter expert by partnering with university leaders and cross-functional teams to promote a culture of operational and organizational improvement. Works collaboratively with Organizational Effectiveness leadership and the Senior Process Improvement Specialist to advance process improvement initiatives, achieve strategic goals, develop effective solutions, document workflows, and facilitate stakeholder adoption of new or revised processes. Acts as an advocate for Organizational Effectiveness services throughout the campus community.

Responsibilities

• Develops innovative solutions to resolve complex process issues, enhance efficiency and effectiveness, improve customer or student experience, and identify opportunities to create common procedures and best practices across the organization
• Conducts thorough reviews of business processes to identify areas for improvement and creates targeted improvement plans using frameworks like DMAIC.
• Oversees assigned process improvement projects, defining project plans, tracking progress to completion, meeting with stakeholders, and reporting to OE leadership.
• Measures and assesses progress on process improvement efforts, gauging efficacy and performance of the current state and future state
• Validates that process improvement projects are successful, and supports project success through effective communication, metric measurement and reporting, and providing process improvement expertise as required
• Supports cross-functional collaboration and coordination to improve operations with diverse teams (leadership, staff, faculty, and external partners)
• Navigates an environment of competing interests and limited resources and ensures alignment with priorities and strategic initiatives
• Facilitates training, workshops, and other outreach efforts offered by Organizational Effectiveness

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Other Required Qualifications: Yellow Belt in Lean, Six Sigma, Process Management Professional Certification, and/or Project Management Certification, or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire

Required Experience: Two (2) years of experience in process improvement function, including running large process improvement projects, lean quality improvement methodology, data collection, and data analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications: An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Business Administration

Preferred Experience: Previous experience in higher education is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES: Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines; Ability to adopt a consultant mindset, providing expert advice and innovative solutions

KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of process improvement principles and tools

SKILLS: Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), critical thinking, time management, project management, and presentation skills; Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite, Visio or equivalent); Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills; Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette