Strategic Operations Analyst - Value Improvement Office - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Exempt) (Non-Union)

The University of Southern California operates Keck Medical Center, an academic healthcare organization focused on specialized patient care, research, and clinical innovation. The Strategic Operations Analyst supports enterprise transformation, operational performance, and executive decision-making by analyzing complex healthcare operations and developing executive-ready insights and recommendations. The role also advances practical applications of AI, analytics, and workflow innovation across the organization.

What you'll do:

• Investigates complex operational questions by integrating operational, clinical, financial, quantitative, and qualitative information from multiple sources to identify root issues, emerging themes, risks, opportunities, and potential courses of action
• Develops executive-ready analyses, briefing materials, presentations, dashboards, and strategic narratives that translate complex operational information into clear insights, options, and recommended actions
• Conducts analyses related to enterprise priorities, including access, throughput, care progression, capacity management, transfers, complex cases, operational performance, and other strategic initiatives. Translates findings into actionable recommendations that support improved organizational performance
• Identifies and pursues high-value strategic questions that are not yet well-defined, applying structured thinking, analytical investigation, and a systems-level perspective to help leaders better understand emerging operational challenges and opportunities
• Leads the exploration, evaluation, and practical application of AI-enabled tools and workflows that support operational analysis, executive decision support, knowledge management, communication, meeting preparation, and workflow efficiency. Develops reusable prompts, templates, and practical AI use cases and guides leaders and teams on effective application of AI in their work
• Identifies opportunities to improve organizational performance, executive workflows, operational effectiveness, and enterprise transformation through innovative analytical approaches, emerging technologies, benchmarking, and cross-functional collaboration
• Partners with Business Intelligence, Finance, Information Technology, Clinical Operations, Care Coordination, Capacity Management, and other stakeholders to gather, analyze, validate, and synthesize information supporting enterprise initiatives and operational decision-making
• Conducts research, benchmarking, literature reviews, environmental scans, and emerging technology assessments to inform executive decision-making, operational innovation, strategic planning, and enterprise transformation
• Supports the Chief of Performance & Transformation in preparing for executive meetings, synthesizing complex issues and cross-functional discussions, identifying strategic follow-up opportunities, and developing executive-level communications, analyses, and recommendations
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with operational, clinical, administrative, and technical stakeholders to facilitate collaboration, information sharing, and advancement of enterprise priorities
• Monitors healthcare operations, performance improvement practices, emerging technologies, AI applications, and industry best practices to identify relevant opportunities and inform organizational priorities
• Maintains appropriate documentation, analytical methodologies, assumptions, and supporting information to promote accuracy, transparency, consistency, and reuse of work products

What they're looking for:

• Req Bachelor's Degree in healthcare administration, business, analytics, public health, management, or a related field
• Req 1-3 years of experience in healthcare operations, strategy, business analytics, consulting, performance improvement, project management, healthcare administration, or a related analytical field. (1-2 years of relevant graduate-level internships, administrative fellowships, consulting experience, research experience, or equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of some required experience.)
• Req Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex operational issues, identify meaningful insights, and develop practical solutions
• Req Demonstrated ability to synthesize operational, clinical, financial, quantitative, and qualitative information from multiple sources into clear, actionable insights and recommendations
• Req Ability to structure ambiguous or complex problems, identify key questions, investigate difficult or undefined issues, and develop practical approaches when processes, information, or solutions are not fully defined
• Req Systems-thinking ability, with the capacity to connect individual operational issues to broader organizational patterns, strategic priorities, and opportunities for improvement
• Req Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and learning agility, with the ability to rapidly understand unfamiliar operational issues, emerging technologies, and organizational priorities
• Req Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, including the ability to develop executive-ready presentations, briefing materials, reports, dashboards, and other decision-support materials
• Req Ability to communicate complex concepts concisely and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership
• Req Strong facilitation, listening, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish collaborative relationships and influence effectively without direct authority
• Req Demonstrated ability to exercise sound independent judgment, prioritize competing demands, and manage multiple concurrent priorities with appropriate follow-through
• Req Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and quality of work products

Benefits:

• Hybrid work arrangement