Director, QMS Program Management

The Program Director is responsible for directing very high complexity matrixed teams to deliver high visibility, strategic programs and company-wide initiatives.  Typically manages a portfolio of multiple programs and/or projects across multi-disciplinary teams.  Programs are normally very high complexity considering total cost, financial impact, systems impacted, performing labs, software development, test code complexity and outside entities/third parties.

This position leverages Quest Management System (QMS) principles and tools in their daily work and acts as a change agent and role model to help reinforce the desired behaviors and embed QMS tools and methodologies. Drives continuous improvement efforts and is also responsible for coaching others to learn and apply QMS principles in order to embed the tools and methodologies into our normal way of doing things.

QMS is Quest Diagnostics’ approach to using a set of proven tools and methodologies to drive successful execution of, and results from, key initiatives and day-to-day work. It is the structured way we manage, lead, and solve problems. It is built on 7 practices:

1. Management approach & governance
2. Breakthrough management and Hoshin planning
3. Customer insights and solutions development
4. Process management
5. Continuous improvement
6. Project management
7. Change management

Quest Diagnostics follows a 5-step approach to project management consistent with that of the world-renowned Project Management Institute (PMI): Initiate – Plan – Execute – Monitor – Close.

The Program Director consults with Haystack Oncology and Quest Research & Development, Clinical Franchise, Commercial, IT, Operations, and Business Development  organizations to design the rollout of optimized solutions that meet complex strategic goals while collaborating with the aforementioned organizations to ensure seamless transition of products, tests and offerings from inception to sunset.

Examples for high visibility, strategic programs and company-wide initiatives are: New Laboratory Test Development, Commercial Launch of Tests, platform changes, strategic vendor relationship management, implementation of strategic BD opportunities, integrations, IT functionality/connectivity/software development and updates.

The Program Director provides comprehensive written and verbal status updates to C-suite leadership, senior leadership, executive/program sponsor and key stakeholders for key strategic programs. Understanding and experience with Haystack Oncology and Oncology terminologies and lines of business is critical to the success of the role. A background in genetics, bioinformatics, laboratory operations, or R&D is preferred.

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, as well as other QMS principles and tools, toward a variety of large or complex problems.  Manages a portfolio of initiatives that drive process improvement within and across Franchises and other organizations as part of the Product lifecycle management.

• 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.
• 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 QMS tools and methodologies and coaches other employees on the use of various tools, concepts and practices foundational to QMS.
• 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 is able to prioritize initiatives and control program execution.
• Up to 25% travel.
• May manage direct reports
  • 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree required (BS/BA).
• PMP Certified Project Management, Certified Program Management Professional (externally administered by the Project Management Institute) strongly preferred.
• Formal training in project management or continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Lean) a plus.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects/programs from initiation to completion in a matrixed organization (10+ years’ experience).
• Experience driving Marketing, Product Development and IT efforts in Health Care Sector a plus.
• Experience in genomics, bioinformatics preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets