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

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 the Research &Development, CF, Commercial, IT, Operations, Business Development and Companion DX 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 change/standardization, 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.

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 transformation 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 process.

• 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 transformation tools and methodologies and coaches other employees on the use of various tools, concepts and practices foundational to Quest's tranformation initiatives.
• 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 is able to prioritize initiatives and control program execution.

Education and Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent work experience needed.
• 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.

Work Experience:

• 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.

Mental Requirements:

• Perform job duties with frequent interruptions or distractions.
• 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.

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.  
• 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.
• Accountable, creative, strategic and flexible.
• Able to independently learn, articulate and drive new concepts rapidly.
• 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.
• 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).

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets or any other legally protected status.