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Portland, Oregon, United States
Remote only
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Quality & Health Equity based in the United States.
We are seeking an experienced healthcare leader to shape and advance quality improvement and health equity strategies across diverse patient populations. In this role, you will drive initiatives that improve clinical outcomes, reduce health disparities, manage costs, and enhance the overall value of care delivered through value-based healthcare programs. You will use clinical, claims, demographic, and social data to identify improvement opportunities and develop targeted interventions that promote equitable access and better patient experiences. Working closely with clinical leaders, analytics teams, healthcare providers, payers, and community partners, you will translate strategic priorities into measurable results. You will also lead and develop a team of quality improvement professionals while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture. This is an opportunity to influence healthcare transformation and help build a more equitable, effective, and patient-centered system.
Develop and lead comprehensive quality improvement and health equity strategies, including multi-year strategic plans and annual work plans aligned with organizational objectives and value-based care commitments.
Identify opportunities to improve health outcomes, enhance care quality, reduce avoidable costs, and increase value across Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and commercial populations.
Use clinical, claims, demographic, and social data to identify variations in performance and disparities across race, ethnicity, language, disability, geography, and other relevant population characteristics.
Design, implement, and evaluate targeted interventions that address health disparities, improve access to care, and support culturally responsive, patient-centered healthcare delivery.
Oversee quality improvement and health equity programs, establishing performance goals and monitoring progress against quality measures, contractual requirements, cost targets, and equity objectives.
Collaborate with clinical and operational leaders, analytics and IT teams, payers, network providers, and community organizations to align priorities and deliver sustainable improvement initiatives.
Translate complex data into actionable insights, recommendations, and performance reports that support executive decision-making and guide clinical and operational improvements.
Partner with analytics and IT teams to develop reliable reporting tools, dashboards, and ad hoc analyses that support quality measurement, population health management, and health equity initiatives.
Ensure data accuracy, appropriate reporting, and compliance with HIPAA, applicable regulations, contractual obligations, and organizational policies.
Lead, supervise, coach, and develop quality improvement staff, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, performance management, professional development, and annual evaluations.
Establish clear expectations for team productivity, quality assurance, accountability, and timely delivery of program objectives while promoting collaboration and inclusion.
Maintain current knowledge of federal and state regulations, payer requirements, and evolving Medicaid and Medicare quality and health equity standards.
Develop and update program policies, procedures, and improvement frameworks to support regulatory compliance, operational consistency, and effective implementation.
Represent the organization in internal and external committees and workgroups focused on quality, health equity, healthcare transformation, and value-based care.
Evaluate the feasibility, resource requirements, impact, and long-term sustainability of proposed initiatives, supporting effective change management and continuous improvement.
Bachelor's degree in healthcare, business administration, or a related field.
At least three years of progressive leadership experience, including leadership responsibilities within healthcare settings.
At least five years of relevant experience in healthcare quality improvement, population health, value-based care, health equity, or a closely related discipline.
Formal quality improvement training or equivalent professional experience.
Strong analytical skills and experience working with electronic medical records, clinical and claims data, quality measurement frameworks, and population-level performance analysis.
Knowledge of performance improvement methodologies, change management, team development, and healthcare transformation.
Demonstrated ability to incorporate health equity considerations into strategy development, measurement, program design, implementation, and evaluation.
Understanding of health disparities, social drivers of health, culturally responsive care, and methods for identifying and interpreting differences in outcomes across populations.
Experience building collaborative relationships with healthcare systems, providers, payers, community organizations, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex or sensitive findings to executive leaders, clinical teams, and community audiences.
Experience overseeing projects, teams, budgets, and competing priorities while maintaining accountability for deliverables and results.
Proficiency with standard business software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Self-motivation, adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative office and virtual environment.
Preferred qualifications:
Master's degree in healthcare, business administration, public health, or a related field.
Experience within a health plan, clinically integrated network, accountable care organization, or value-based contracting environment.
Demonstrated success developing and implementing health equity strategies and initiatives designed to reduce disparities.
Extensive experience in systems improvement, process optimization, and cross-organizational transformation.
Working knowledge of Epic or similar electronic health record systems.
Familiarity with ambulatory and acute care operations and clinical workflows.
Experience with Medicaid and Medicare quality programs, payer performance measures, and health equity reporting requirements.
Certification in quality management, quality improvement, public health, or health equity.
Additional requirements:
Candidates must reside within the Portland metropolitan area and be available for regular in-person meetings and activities as needed.
Availability to work Monday through Friday, generally during daytime hours, with some flexibility to accommodate meetings and stakeholder schedules.
Willingness to travel locally on occasion and participate in both virtual and in-person meetings with internal and external partners.
A role-specific cover letter is required as part of the application.
Annual salary: $121,201.60–$209,040, depending on relevant qualifications and internal equity.
Regular, full-time employment.
Monday-to-Friday work schedule, with variable daytime hours to accommodate business and stakeholder needs.
Remote work arrangement, subject to the requirement to reside in the Portland metropolitan area and attend in-person meetings as needed.
Opportunities to lead meaningful healthcare quality improvement and health equity initiatives with measurable community impact.
Collaboration with clinical, operational, analytical, and community stakeholders across a broad healthcare network.
Professional development opportunities through strategic leadership responsibilities and exposure to healthcare transformation, population health, and value-based care.
An inclusive work environment committed to diversity, equity, multicultural collaboration, and continuous improvement.
