Program Operations Specialist (NE S 7)

Job Description

The Department of Surgery has an outstanding opportunity for Program Operations Specialist to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Division Administrator, the Program Operations Specialist is responsible for providing administrative, programmatic, and operational support for Emergency General Surgery and Breast Surgery within the Division of General Surgery. This position supports complex clinical, academic, and fellowship programs across multiple sites, ensuring effective coordination of faculty activities, strategic initiatives, operational priorities, compliance requirements, and financial processes. The role plays a critical part in supporting patient care, education, research, and program growth initiatives.

This position is based in the Health Sciences Building and operates in a hybrid work environment with three or more remote workdays per week, depending on business needs. Flexible work hours may be required, including occasional early morning or evening meetings.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and programmatic operational responsibilities for the sub-programs of Breast Surgery and Emergency General Surgery = 65%

This individual must understand clinical program operations in an academic setting and will routinely and independently assess, determine and accomplish program priorities. The successful candidate will collaborate with section chiefs for Breast Surgery and Emergency General Surgery, and department and division administrative partners. Specific duties include:

• Meet regularly and collaborate with faculty and pertinent staff to review strategy and align operational goals with strategic imperatives.
• Implement operational goals; independently set priorities for accomplishment on a day-to-day basis
• Ensure smooth operational functioning and optimization of faculty in each of the core areas of our mission: clinical, research and education.
• Know and understand the strategic imperatives and initiatives and operational realities at each location for the programs this specialist supports. Build successful relationships at each site to successfully implement and monitor operational goals. Work to understand operational realities and organizational structure at each location to ensure success of programs at each location; work to understand and minimize location variation
• Independently problem solve issues for faculty and program administration
• Coordinate and collaborate with onboarding and offboarding faculty duties as necessary; requires substantial collaborative work with Manager-Division Operations, Division Administrator, and Department Faculty Affairs
• Work with division and section leadership to incorporate division faculty into governing structures of other organizations as appropriate
• Manage programmatic communications. Collaborate with UW Medicine marketing to generate and produce marketing materials including website creation and provider outreach                                    

Program Administrative Support of Surgical Oncology Breast Fellowship = 15%

• Coordinate all aspects of fellowship recruitment, selection, onboarding, and offboarding activities, including interview scheduling, Match Day processes, appointments, credentialing, certification, and transition activities.
• Serve as the primary administrative resource for fellows, coordinating orientation, training requirements, conference participation, travel support, program communications, and ongoing educational and administrative needs.
• Partner with program directors, Faculty Affairs, and institutional stakeholders to support fellow appointments, visa processes, compliance requirements, and successful progression through the training program.
• Administer fellowship operations by maintaining records, monitoring program requirements and deadlines, coordinating access to systems and resources, managing fellowship-related funds, and preparing reports for leadership.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, regulatory, accreditation, and program-specific requirements while supporting continuous program effectiveness and maintaining appropriate documentation and record retention practices. 

Operational oversight of policies, protocols and compliance for assigned programs = 10%

• Know, understand and interpret all applicable policies, rules, guidelines associated with the programs they oversee. Know when to escalate issues to higher authority. This may include clinical policies related to faculty, fiscal policies and others.
• Know, understand and interpret department policies, including Faculty Affairs policies, professionalism policies, and so forth. Know when to escalate issues to higher authority. 

Financial operational duties = 10%

• Responsibility for expenditure and close monitoring of funds related to general surgery faculty designated funds in areas of responsibility.
• Provide regular review to faculty and administrators; recommend and implement actions to ensure funds are not over or inappropriately spent.
• Ensure reimbursements are requested and received in a timely manner.
• Ensure implementation of departmental policies and procedures related to general surgery division operating funds.
• Responsible for managing funds related to large-scale meetings, retreats or workshops. Work to set up specific budgets for these events, ensure approvals, spend funds, reconcile and keep on budget.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• BA in business, health sciences, biology, psychology, English or other relevant area
• 2 years’ experience in health care programs

Additional Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to establish good working relationships with a variety of people.
• Works successfully within a variety of systems and sites.
• Excellent communication skills in various formats.
• Expert user of Microsoft Office products; including Excel.
• Must understand basic financial/accounting concepts.
• Develop and implement project management tools and strategies.

Desired Qualifications

• 3+ years supporting a surgical, clinical, educational, or academic program.
• Experience working in an academic medical center.
• Experience supporting fellowship, residency, or other educational/training programs.
• Experience coordinating complex projects and multiple stakeholder groups.
• Experience developing, managing, and monitoring program budgets, including tracking expenditures, forecasting expenses, and managing faculty or trainee educational allotments.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment- 3 or more remote days depending on business need
• Meetings can occur in the early morning or evening hour

About the Team

The Department of Surgery is a large department within the School of Medicine, with surgeons practicing at all our locations and in eight surgical subspecialties. The UW Department of Surgery is guided by our mission of providing compassionate and high-quality patient care, training future generations of surgical leaders, and conducting research in a collegial environment that embraces diversity and promotes inclusiveness. 

The Division of General Surgery supports a broad portfolio of clinical, academic, and educational programs across UW Medical Center campuses and affiliated sites. This position directly supports Emergency General Surgery, Breast Surgery, and the Surgical Oncology Breast Fellowship, partnering closely with faculty leaders, trainees, and administrative teams to advance clinical excellence and program growth.

The Department of Surgery continues to expand its impact across patient care, research, and medical education. Learn more at https://uwsurgery.org/.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$78,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$81,600.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Overtime Pay

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.