Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives

HealthPartners is hiring a Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives, to join our Strategic Projects and Improvement Office. Reporting to the Director of the Strategic Projects and Improvement Office, this role joins a collaborative team of five project managers and a program manager focused on advancing strategic initiatives across the organization. In addition to leading projects from planning through implementation, this role will support the change management aspects of initiatives, helping engage stakeholders, navigate change impacts, and promote successful adoption.

In this role, you will lead medium-sized projects and improvement initiatives supporting both Care Group and Shared Services. Projects may span process, technology, and organizational change, with examples including, pharmacy initiatives, patient arrival and entry experience, extended downtime processes, Epic optimization, and integration efforts.

You will guide projects through the full lifecycle, from intake, assessment, and planning through implementation and closure, while partnering with stakeholders across the organization to keep initiatives aligned with strategic priorities, timelines, and desired outcomes. You will also help teams navigate change and strengthen capabilities in project planning, process improvement, systems thinking, and change management.

This is a highly collaborative and visible role that regularly partners with leaders at the medical director, vice president, and executive levels. Success in this position requires someone who is proactive, comfortable speaking up, able to build strong relationships, and confident serving as a thought partner to leaders and teams navigating complex change.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare, business, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of healthcare industry experience, with a focus on Care Delivery and/or Shared Services (e.g., human resources, finance, supply chain).
• Five (5) years of experience leading or managing projects, whether in a dedicated project management role or as part of a broader position.
• Experience leading projects through the full project lifecycle, from planning and execution through completion.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives within Care Delivery and/or healthcare Shared Services (e.g., human resources, finance, supply chain).
• Ability to manage projects strategically while balancing the needs and priorities of multiple departments and business units.
• Strong data analysis, data presentation, problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to facilitate groups and effectively engage audiences ranging from frontline teams to executive leaders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and customer needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization to influence and support change.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, drive clarity, and act with an appropriate sense of urgency.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to research complex topics, including gathering, assessing, analyzing, and presenting information and recommendations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in healthcare, business, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Project management certification or equivalent credential (e.g., CAPM, CPPM, PMP).
• Process improvement certification, such as Lean, Six Sigma, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), or a comparable credential.
• Prosci Change Management Certification or equivalent change management credential.

Hours/Location:

• M-F; core business hours
• This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with onsite work typically occurring Tuesday through Thursday and greater remote flexibility on Mondays and Fridays. Additional onsite presence may occasionally be required outside of the typical Tuesday through Thursday schedule to support meetings, work sessions, or other business needs.

Compensation Range:

• $37.46 - $56.20 hourly
  • Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role. Pay within our ranges may also be determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities as well as internal equity. Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation based on role (e.g., shift differential, bonus, sales incentive, productivity pay, etc.).

Responsibilities:

Project Management & Process Improvement

• Develop comprehensive project plans, including business case/best practice, timelines, resources, risk mitigation, milestones, and communication strategies.
• Design and facilitate Improvement events to support team goals & objectives.
• Ensure all projects and Improvement activities align with the project strategy and goals.
• Provide objective recommendations and knowledge with the aim of creating value, increasing productivity, reducing costs, maximizing growth, and improving business performance.
• Identify, address, or escalate bottlenecks, ensuring continuous progress.
• Continuously monitor and adjust plans to mitigate risks and keep projects on track.
• Maintain project management standards and processes and apply structured problem-solving methodology.

Resource Management

• Motivate the team. Ensure teams have the necessary improvement and change tools, skills, and training to be successful.
• Maintain strong internal and external stakeholder relationships to ensure optimum outcomes are achieved.
• Build and sustain senior leader-level relationships to establish a trusted advisor role, enabling open communication and influence on key project decisions.

Stakeholder Communication

• Foster effective communication between project teams, stakeholders, and senior management.
• Provide regular project status updates and reports and executive presentations.

Change Management

• Support change management initiatives related to project implementation.
• Ensure smooth transitions and minimize disruptions as part of project closure.
• Facilitate lessons learned to ensure reuse of project learnings and knowledge by establishing ongoing communication and repositories for future reference.