Director Of Special Projects

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Medicine (SOM) seeks a talented Director of Special Projects who will support and coordinate high-priority school finance projects from concept to implementation. The person in this role will work collaboratively across the school to support high-level strategic planning issues and initiatives within the Central School Finance Office. The Director of Special Projects will report to the Executive Director of the School of Medicine (SOM) Financial Transformation and the Executive Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) after the conclusion of the Financial Transformation Program. The position provides leadership support for SOM Central Finance Office-led projects, including leadership of the governance structures that help drive strategy, business planning, and bi-directional collaboration for the Financial Transformation program.

The Director of Special Projects is responsible for leading diverse initiatives, providing comprehensive project management support, and ensuring the success of the Financial Transformation Program and other future endeavors. This role demands strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to prioritize tasks effectively, foster collaboration among colleagues and stakeholders, and meet project deadlines. The director must exhibit diligence in resource management, adeptly handle project timelines, track milestones and deliverables, maintain budgets, and generate high-quality written reports and presentations.

The role requires exceptional judgment, tact, creativity, adaptability, and initiative. The director should be capable of producing top-tier work within tight deadlines, demonstrating flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in alignment with organizational needs. A commitment to service, a positive outlook, and a high level of confidentiality are integral aspects of this position.

Specific responsibilities include assisting leadership in managing the Financial Transformation Program and other initiatives, identifying quality business improvement opportunities, conducting long-range planning, and coordinating approved solutions and projects. The director is expected to navigate complex challenges, ensuring efficient resource allocation and maintaining a focus on delivering successful outcomes.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Project Management

• Develop and update project plans and related documentation.
• Manage project scope and follow proper escalation paths.
• Ensure the Finance Transformation program is delivered on time and within budget.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work closely with the Executive Director of the School of Medicine Finance Transformation and SOM Central Finance leadership.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all SOM Finance Transformation inquiries.
• Support strategic initiatives and projects of high priority for senior leadership.
• Establish strong partnerships with leaders and key staff across departments and university entities.
• Provide leadership to cross-functional project teams in the planning, development, and implementation of the Financial Transformation program.

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks and barriers associated with the Finance Transformation Program.
• Report and escalate issues to leadership as needed.

Project Documentation

• Create and maintain detailed project plans to monitor progress.
• Develop comprehensive project documentation and ensure proper file and data entry for assigned projects.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage relationships with key stakeholders.
• Work with stakeholders to ensure projects stay on track, are completed on time, and on budget.

Analytical Skills & Recommendations

• Use strong analytical skills to formulate information into well-organized recommendations and plans of action.
• Assess current processes, organizational charts, and policies, working with work groups to develop recommended actions/enhancements.

Communication

• Create high-quality presentation materials and memoranda for communication with senior university leadership and trustees.
• Disseminate goals and plans to staff through various means such as in-services, planning retreats, training, briefings, memos, etc.

Change Management

• Assess readiness among stakeholders and identify potential barriers/risks.
• Prepare the organization/unit for change and assist with the implementation of change.
• Coordinate change management efforts to support the Finance Transformation Program.

Continuous Analysis & Consultation

• Perform continuous analyses and strategic consultation to identify areas for revenue improvement and cost-savings.
• Collaborate with Central School leaders and external contacts to implement savings and enhancement plans.

Meeting Facilitation

• Lead and facilitate meetings as requested.
• Draft and maintain meeting minutes, including assessment and follow-up of next steps to ensure project remains on track.

Performance Measurement

• Measure project performance using appropriate project management tools and techniques.
• Ensure a comprehensive information system is in place to manage, track, and measure project activities effectively.

Supervise Administrative Support Staff

• Supervise administrative support staff in the central finance team to include hiring and performance management.
• Review and approve monthly E210 (assuming it's a time or attendance record) for accuracy and compliance.
• Develop a coverage plan to ensure that essential tasks are covered during employee absences and monitor daily office coverage to address any gaps or issues promptly.
• Ensure staff compliance with Hopkins policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with other managers outside the central finance team to ensure coordination of cross-divisional projects/services.
• Perform various roles and related duties as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.
• Occasionally lifting, carrying objects weighing 10lbs. or less.
• Occasionally pushing and pulling objects weighing 30lbs. or less.

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Analytics, Business or a related field is required.
  
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible finance or relevant experience required.
  

• Proven track record of effective leadership and ability to navigate complex issues and drive strong performance results. 
  

• Strong project management and data analysis skills.
  

• Proven communication, organizational, and analytic skills in a complex organization.
  

• Demonstrated ability to analyze data for budgeting, operations, and planning purposes.
  

• Additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
  

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Self-starter as an independent thinker, self-governing to organize, complete and deliver projects and deliverables with little direction.
• Ability to prioritize work with flexibility to act and or change direction as needed while working on multiple tasks simultaneously with concurrent deadlines.
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple projects and deadlines, work across departments and functions, and translate strategies from plans to action.

• Understanding of and commitment to the mission of the organization.
  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Master's Degree, preferably in business or directly relevant field.
• Five to ten years related experience in a medical school or academic medical center.

• Experience with project planning methodologies, tools, and concepts, including MS Project, Asana, Smartsheet, etc.
  
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Classified Title: Director of Special Projects 
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PG  
Starting Salary Range: Min $98,800 - Max $173,300 Annually ($136,050 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: 37.50 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/School of Medicine Campus 
Department name: SOM Admin Exec Off Gen Administration  
Personnel area: School of Medicine 

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.
**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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