Director, Operations and Strategy

Director, Operations and Strategy

Department of Population Health – Austin, TX. This role serves as a strategic partner to department leadership, focusing on operational practice management, budgeting, financial reporting, recruitment, and staff development within the healthcare system. The Director provides comprehensive administrative and fiscal oversight for the assigned area, ensuring fiduciary responsibility and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Strategy, Leadership, and Project Oversight

• Develops and executes strategic initiatives aligned with organizational priorities.
• Collaborates with senior leadership on operational, tactical, and strategic planning.
• Evaluates department goals and implements systems for productivity and efficiency.
• Leads cross-disciplinary projects such as virtual care and integrated care models.
• Provides strategic research administration and oversight for the department's research portfolio, supporting life‑cycle management of federal, state, and private grants and contracts.

Financial Management

• Contributes to and manages components of the department's operating budget.
• Oversees preparation and analysis of financial reports for data‑driven decisions.
• Serves as signature authority for expenditures and budget‑related activities.
• Ensures compliance with fiduciary and regulatory requirements.

Operational Oversight

• Designs and implements systems to improve clinical practice and administrative workflows.
• Monitors department goals, outcomes, and performance metrics.
• Identifies operational challenges and implements solutions in UT and community partner clinical practice settings.
• Maintains program sustainability and resource allocation.

Talent Management and Staff Development

• Leads recruitment, hiring, training, and supervision of staff.
• Coordinates annual evaluations and recommends merit and equity adjustments.
• Provides professional development opportunities and coaching.
• Fosters a collaborative work environment.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Communicates timelines, deadlines, and updates across the department.
• Collaborates with HR, Finance, and Communications to achieve objectives.
• Engages with department leaders to promote innovation and best practices.
• Represents the department in meetings and organizational initiatives.

Marginal or Periodic Functions

• Supports special projects and organizational priorities as assigned.
• Participates in committees and task forces to advance institutional goals.
• Assists with policy development and compliance reviews.
• Contributes to strategic growth planning for new service lines.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strategic Agility

• Anticipates future trends and consequences, creating competitive strategies.
• Aligns department goals with long‑term organizational strategy.
• Identifies emerging opportunities for growth.
• Communicates vision clearly to stakeholders.

Financial Acumen

• Understands financial drivers and uses data for decision‑making.
• Prepares accurate forecasts and budgets.
• Analyzes financial reports to guide strategy.
• Ensures compliance with fiduciary standards.

Building Effective Teams

• Creates strong morale and spirit in teams.
• Provides coaching and development opportunities.
• Encourages collaboration and accountability.
• Resolves conflicts constructively.

Decision Quality

• Makes sound decisions based on analysis and judgment.
• Balances short‑term and long‑term priorities.
• Uses data to support decisions.
• Seeks input from stakeholders when appropriate.

Managing Vision and Purpose

• Communicates a compelling vision and sense of purpose.
• Inspires commitment to organizational goals.
• Articulates clear expectations.
• Aligns team efforts with strategic priorities.

Education & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, or a related field with at least 7 years of experience in higher education or healthcare administration.
• 5 years in healthcare operations, including budget management, clinical administration, and staff oversight.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, or a related discipline with at least 10 years of experience in healthcare administration and at least 7 years in strategic leadership responsibilities.
• Familiarity with university systems and policies (e.g., Workday, DEFINE).

Licenses, Registrations or Certifications

Required

• None

Preferred

• Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Salary Range

OPEN

Supervision

Direct reports may include Senior Manager, Manager, Administrative Manager, Program/Project Manager, Executive Assistant, Senior Administrative Associate, or other administrative role.

Budget Responsibility

Operational budget: $5M to $20M, including salaries and benefits, technology and software costs, training and development expenses, and administrative and compliance costs.

Decision‑Making Responsibility

• Autonomous decisions: budget allocations, staffing plans, operational workflows.
• Requires approval: strategic initiatives impacting multiple departments and major capital expenditures.

Working Environment / Equipment

• Standard office equipment
• Repetitive use of a keyboard
• May be exposed to occupational hazards such as communicable diseases, blood‑borne pathogens, ionizing and non‑ionizing radiation, hazardous medications, and disoriented or combative patients.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complying with applicable federal and state laws regarding non‑discrimination and affirmative action.