Program Director

The Program Director is responsible for directing very high complexity matrixed teams to deliver high visibility, strategic projects within the new IT Operational Process Excellence program. The program will focus on executing projects leveraging a cross-functional programmatic governance and delivery approach to address IT operational process maturity gaps, ensuring security and compliance requirements. 

Quest has embarked on a multi-year, transformation strategy which needs to align with our mission and operating principles to create amazing technology experiences and deliver innovative solutions that empower our patients, clients and employees and create a healthier world, one life at a time.  The IT Operational Process Excellence program will support the IT organization in transitioning to newer ways of working requiring refined skillsets and resourcing, coupled with maturation in the IT operational processes foundational to those new ways of working. 

This position will leverage structured program and project management principles and tools in daily work and acts as a change agent and role model to help reinforce desired behaviors and embed best practices and methodologies. Drives continuous improvement efforts and is also responsible for coaching others to learn and apply structured program management and process improvement principles to embed the tools and methodologies into standard ways of doing things.

Quest Diagnostics follows a structured approach to project and program management consistent with globally recognized standards.

The Program Director provides comprehensive written and verbal status updates to executive leadership, senior IT leadership, executive/program sponsor and key stakeholders for key strategic programs.

The Program Director is responsible for driving broad cross-functional process improvement initiatives, as well as ensuring best practices are utilized throughout planning and execution management. 

Applies continuous improvement tools and techniques, toward a variety of large or complex problems.  Manages a portfolio of initiatives that drive process improvement within and across business units as part of enterprise lifecycle management.

This position may be based in our Schaumberg, IL or Secaucus, NJ offices and is hybrid.

Compensation range: $160,000 - $180,000 + 20% AIP

• Performs root cause analysis using CI tools (e.g., 5 whys, lessons learned) at project and program level. Documents and communicates project shortfalls. Drives corrective action, analyzing at the project level, trending across projects/programs (people, process, system).
• Drives learning, application, and adoption of structured program and project management tools and methodologies and coaches other employees on their effective use. 
• Responsible for program performance, risk management, administration and issue resolution for the functional team. Develop quality assurance and control plans where indicated.
• Directs programs and cross functional working teams to effectively initiate, plan, execute, monitor and close projects. Acts as the primary liaison at the project and program level for all related information.
• Develops and executes project plans, milestone charts, project/program documentation and scorecards according to requirements defined and approved by sponsor.
• Facilitates high profile large scale intra- and inter-organizational meetings, workshops and targeted improvement events to help teams quickly achieve strategic objectives.
• Manages project deliverables in accordance with approved schedules. Analyzes critical path, proactively identifying issues and raising/facilitating resolution with cross-functional team. Drives visibility to gaps impacting overall schedule. Synchronize projects at program level to optimize delivery. Drive visibility to critical path and gaps impacting overall schedule. Drive roadblocks to resolution.
• Manages sponsor and stakeholder expectations and establish regular points of communication.
• Manages changes to project and or program scope, cost and schedule via formal change management process.
• Proactively identifies and manages project/program risks. Directs team members, key stakeholders and sponsors through roadblocks/barriers to resolution.
• Acts as a change agent to drive key stakeholders, project/program sponsor and leadership toward success.
• Tracks cost, budget, resources, plan and schedules and manage changes at program level as appropriate. Ensures project artifacts are collected, documented and stored for audit and lessons learned purposes.
• Direct external vendors as indicated to plan and execute program requirements. Act as liaison for all program related communications and status updates.
• Leads cross-functional efforts to develop and communicate business process documentation where absent/improvements needed to drive successful project/program planning and execution.
• Understands strategic business direction with respect to portfolio/sub-portfolio and can prioritize initiatives and control program execution.
• Manage a team of Project Managers.
  • Participate in the hiring of new resources.
  • Coaches and counsels direct reports.
  • Provides counseling related to career path to direct reports.
  • Guides direct reports in developing personal learning plans.
  • Supports skill development of direct reports.
  • Participates in performance review and feedback process.
  • Helps resolve performance issues for direct reports.

Supervision Exercised:

Approximately 3 - 5 Project or Program Managers 

Education and Certifications: 

•    Bachelor’s Degree required (BS/BA)
•    PMP Certified Project Management, Certified Program Management Professional (externally administered by the Project Management Institute) strongly preferred
•    Agile certifications such as Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), SAFe Agilist (SA), or equivalent preferred
•    Formal training in project management or continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Lean) a plus
 

Work Experience:   

 •    Demonstrated experience leading projects/programs from initiation to completion in a matrixed organization (10+ years’ experience)
•    Experience managing enterprise portfolios and cross-functional strategic initiatives preferred in Life Sciences Sector a plus
•    Adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate. 
•    Ability to interact professionally with colleagues and/or customers for different purposes in different contexts.
•    Maintain composure under pressure 
•    Performs a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another 
•    Ability to comprehend and follow verbal or written instructions
•    Using effective verbal communication 
•    Using effective written communication 
•    Concentrate on tasks 
•    Ability to making decisions 
•    Examine/observe details

Other:  

•    Exceptional planning and organizational skills; results and process-oriented
•    Proven ability to deliver results in a matrixed organization
•    Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across multiple formats at all organizational levels:  formal presentations, facilitation of virtual meetings using conference calls and computer-based presentation tools, e-mails, and memos  
•    Experience with Project Portfolio Management platforms
•    Advanced with MS office applications (Project, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Excel)
•    Composed when faced with conflict or difficult issue. Able to independently drive conflict/difficult issue to conclusion - leaving stakeholders dedicated and committed to moving forward regardless of position 
•    Outstanding negotiation and decision-making skills
•    Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with others 
•    Accountable, creative, strategic and flexible
•    Able to independently learn, articulate and drive new concepts rapidly
•    Ability to work independently absent supervision
•    Ability to operate in a dynamic environment and quickly adapts to change; must have ability to promote and build teamwork; exhibits assertiveness, delegates and empowers team members with focused leadership and commitment to meeting program goals and objectives
•    Demonstrated understanding of continuous improvement, process management, or system thinking
•    Skilled with "big picture" and selling vision to key stakeholders
•    Demonstrated experience leading change
•    Demonstrated ability to influence business leaders
•    General knowledge of Hoshin and breakthrough planning
•    Superior analytical skills
•    Mastered use of program/project tools and methodology
•    0-10% travel expected (expectations shown are targeted ranges; actual travel required will vary by project and can exceed or go below targeted amounts)
•    Some evening and weekend work hours may be required, depending on project needs