Associate Director, Strategic Business Planning

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

About The Position

The Associate Director, Strategic Business Planning, plays a critical role in advancing organizational strategy by leading and managing a portfolio of projects and strategic initiatives within the Strategy Department. The role is responsible for driving structure, organization, and efficiency through proactive planning, project management methodologies, and effective facilitation of cross‑functional collaboration. By coordinating team meetings, maintaining comprehensive project documentation, and monitoring risks and issues, this position ensures clarity, alignment, and consistent communication across all organizational levels. The individual in this role fosters a high‑performing, engaged environment while providing strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills to guide teams toward successful outcomes. In addition to project oversight, this position serves as a key strategic partner to leadership across UI Health Care by supporting enterprise‑wide planning, service line development, and business growth initiatives. Through robust data‑driven analysis, business modeling, and industry research, the position informs decision‑making and provides strategic and financial insights that help optimize organizational resources. The role also authors and supports the development of strategic and business plans, collaborates with operational and clinical leaders to evaluate new opportunities, and identifies risks, dependencies, and value‑creation levers. As a leader and subject matter expert, this position mentors staff, strengthens cross‑functional partnerships, and ensures that strategic, operational, and financial plans remain aligned to advance the mission and long‑term success of UI Health Care.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration or Health Administration or equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of progressive responsibility in such areas as hospital administration, provider strategic planning, business and operations planning.
Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
Experience in the facilitation of strategic processes, business plan development and execution, and strategic analyses. Experience achieving results in a large, complex organization.
Advanced analytical, planning and problem-solving skills. Ability to conduct strategic analysis, including the development of financial models and internal/external research to support business decisions. Ability to deal with a multiplicity of complex situations simultaneously.
Demonstrated knowledge of healthcare market research, program development, business modeling and marketing, including experience preparing detailed business plans and pro formas.
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficiency in MS Office applications.
Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.

Nice To Haves

7+ years of progressive management experience; experience with clinical operations preferred.
Project management experience (PMI standards)
Experience with an academic medical center or multi-regional health system.

Responsibilities

Plan, estimate, organize, and manage multiple small to medium projects and larger-scale strategic initiatives for the Strategy Department
Drive organization and efficiency by leveraging attention to detail, proactive planning, and PMO methodologies
Facilitate/manage regular core team meetings and ad-hoc project reviews with the Strategy Team
Foster an environment of enthusiasm, energy, and focus
Establish effective teamwork, communication, and reporting at all organizational levels.
Develop and maintain documentation that facilitates transparency across the department to maintain a high level of organization, clarity, and process, including Project Charters, Statements of Work, Key Deliverables, Project Plans, Schedules, Inventories, and Timelines
Document, flag, escalate, and communicate issues and risks within the team and key leaders throughout the enterprise
Create and manage Communication Plans, Change Management Plans, and Benefit Management Plans
Facilitate project meetings and distribute agendas and minutes
Provide leadership through effective communication and negotiation.
Conceptualize, coordinate, and lead initiatives to enhance the position of UI Health Care and ensure the timeliness of responses to changes in market and industry dynamics.
Support strategic planning efforts across UI Health Care, including integrating clinical service line activities with business development/network development efforts.
Work collaboratively with clinical department leadership, system leadership, clinicians, and operators to identify opportunities to add value to existing programs; act as a strategic thought partner by contributing data-driven analyses and recommendations to improve system, department, and service line results.
Develop models to support decision making related to complex business issues including new service line development analysis, current service line portfolio analysis, financial viability of new opportunities, and impacts of regulatory changes; complete complex analysis of business opportunities with support from the department, enterprise and, or other institutional resources.
Provides strategic and financial information, analysis and advice to optimize use of the organization’s resources.
Remain current on industry trends, market events, and regulatory issues that affect the organization and assist in reporting implications to leadership, including impacts to system / key performance enterprise metrics and planned strategic initiatives.
Provide leadership, oversight, and technical support to staff (departmental and otherwise) on initiatives related to strategic planning.
Function not only as a subject matter expert and resource for junior staff, but also as a consultant capable of delivery of work.
Author strategic plans and/or business plans to support the successful attainment of organizational, operational, and clinical service goals.
Partnering with other organizational leaders to develop written plans that contain goals, objectives, relevant market/performance/economic data, measures of success, and methods for evaluating performance to plans.
Assist with assessment and finalization of business development efforts, such as clinical operations, financial/accounting, due diligence, legal, reimbursement, regulatory and compliance, information technology, human resources, marketing, and other areas, as needed.
Plans for key resources required for the organization to achieve its goals. Supports organization and program leaders in conceptualizing, prioritizing, and planning new programs or program changes.
Contribute to the development of assumptions and economic levers for financial pro formas related to potential clinical growth/ program growth, joint venture, acquisition, and other initiatives and successfully communicate them to partners.
Develop and communicate an understanding of key dependencies, execution risks or additional opportunities involved in proposed plans.
Demonstrate outstanding leadership in developing staff to meet the needs of UI Health Care.
Set goals with staff in keeping with the organizational goals and support the development of staff through identification of appropriate training and educational opportunities.
Develop robust and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders and support functions internally and externally to result in successful completion of growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, and other assignments.
Maintain close working relationships at all levels of the organization to ensure the quality of planning deliverables and to synchronize strategic / service line plans with operational and financial planning.