Lean Transformation Director

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

At Optum Health, we have committed to improving the quality of our patient experience through continuous incremental improvement using Lean methodology as developed by Taiichi Ohno and the Toyota Production System.

The Optum Health Performance System (TOHPS) team is seeking a Lean Transformation Director who is responsible for collaborating with the National Senior Medical Director and National Vice President of the TOHPS team to drive transformation aimed at improving operational efficiency, optimizing business processes, and ensuring long-term sustainability and growth of the organization. This role plays an important role in driving continuous improvement to ensure Optum remains the market leader in the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

The Lean Transformation Director will serve as a subject matter expert on Lean process improvement, working with operational leaders to plan, design, and accomplish improvement projects through Kaizen. This role involves leading lean training and facilitating groups during Kaizen improvement events to deliver the cultural change required for successful and sustained improvement efforts. The Lean Transformation Director is expected to be a change agent, self-starter, and team player with substantial interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills, capable of leading others in a team-oriented environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

Coaching

• Coach leaders and staff by asking questions, providing feedback, and teaching the use of lean tools, techniques, and principles to build a culture of problem solving.
• Coaching on A3, PDSA, Huddles, Leader Standard Work, Standard Work, Kata, problem-solving, culture, coaching, visibility boards, performance metrics (process vs. outcome), strategic planning, genba, improvement event planning, etc.
• Educate, communicate, and serve as a champion for Lean, driving a culture of quality.
• Coach, develop, and mentor others on the appropriate use of Lean methodology and tools, and their roles, responsibilities and expectations.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to teams, process owners, sponsors, leaders, and individuals using tools and techniques that will result in sustained measurable process improvement.
• Utilize data from quality audits to demonstrate the need for performance improvement to applicable business stakeholders.

Training

• Deliver training to large and small groups on Lean methodology, concepts, and tools, requiring thorough knowledge of Lean process improvement.
• Develop and deliver impactful presentations that engage the audience.
• Infuse the lean philosophy to all levels of the organization.
• Keep presentations on track and participants focused and engaged.
• Respond to participant questions and concerns positively, supporting a culture of continuous improvement.

Facilitating

• Serve as a Lean Transformation Champion to support cultural and change management strategies for successful implementation and sustained operation of Lean.
• Work with Project Sponsors and Leads to determine requirements and deliverables for each stage in the Lean project process.
• Help stakeholders translate complex data into understandable summaries and recommendations.
• Guide stakeholders through Kaizen Improvement Events, keeping the team focused on improvement goals.
• Translate Lean concepts into practical business language to ensure stakeholder engagement throughout projects.
• Guide stakeholders to define/validate control and maintenance processes to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of improved processes.
• Provide/utilize feedback on specific project outcomes to enhance the effectiveness of future projects.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how specific parts of the value stream impact the performance of the larger system.
• Lead change and challenge the status quo while engaging stakeholders diplomatically.

Strategy/Leadership

• Partner with leadership to design and develop a process transformation strategy and roadmap.
• Collaborate with departments, business units, and leaders to identify improvement opportunities.
• Motivate, coach, and serve as a role model for cross-functional leadership team members.
• Work with finance/business leaders to evaluate project savings estimates and ensure accurate accounting of continuous improvement productivity.
• Lead/teach strategic planning using lean tools.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of continuous improvement professionals.

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that challenges you and provides development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Informal or Formal Lean certification.
• 10+ years of experience leading or co-leading 20 or more LEAN events.
• 10+ years of experience creating and delivering training on Lean process improvement.
• 5+ years leading, coaching, and developing a team of continuous improvement professionals.
• Experience presenting to groups up to 50 people.
• Healthcare experience in direct patient care settings.
• Deep knowledge of lean principles and continuous improvement tools and techniques.
• Change management expertise and experience in leading organizational transformation initiatives.
• Proven leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Proven solid analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• This position requires 50% travel.