Director - Project Controls & Business Operations

Location: PALO ALTO, CA, us, Remote

Company Description

At Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, we know world-renowned care begins with world-class caring. Thats why we combine advanced technologies and breakthrough discoveries with family-centered care. Its why we provide our caregivers with continuing education and state-of-the-art facilities, like the newly remodeled Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford. And its why we need caring, committed people on our team - like you. Join us on our mission to heal humanity, one child and family at a time.

Job ID: P145379-2980

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.

The Director, Project Controls & Business Operations provides strategic leadership for business operations, project controls, and program governance supporting Packard 3.0 and other initiatives within the Strategic Space Planning & Facilities Services division, including capital and operating budgets. Reporting to the Executive Director, Space Strategy & Facility Planning, the Director establishes and leads a standardized project controls function that provides independent oversight of project scope, schedule, budget, cash flow, risk, vendor performance, and executive reporting.

Working collaboratively with Strategic Space Planning, Design & Construction, and other teams across the division, as well as Finance, Supply Chain, Stanford Health Care, Compliance, and operational leaders, the Director strengthens governance, enhances financial stewardship, and improves visibility and decision-making across a complex portfolio of capital and operational projects. The role also leads business process improvement, data governance, and the advancement of analytics and AI-enabled reporting capabilities to support effective portfolio management and long-term organizational performance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospitals policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.

Project Controls & Portfolio Governance

• Establish and lead a sustainable Project Controls function supporting strategic capital and operational projects.

• Develop governance frameworks, standards, project controls methodologies, and reporting processes that improve accountability, transparency, and executive decision-making.

• Establish and maintain a portfolio risk management framework that standardizes risk identification, assessment, monitoring, mitigation, and escalation across projects.

• Independently assess project and portfolio risks, validate mitigation strategies, identify emerging trends, and escalate issues that may impact scope, schedule, budget, operational readiness, or organizational priorities.

• Monitor portfolio performance against approved scope, schedule, budget, cash flow, and risk baselines, recommending corrective actions when variances occur.

• Lead standardized monthly project reviews and executive reporting.

Financial & Operational Stewardship

• Partner with Finance and project teams to strengthen budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, contingency oversight, and financial reporting.

• Improve payment, procurement, and change-order processes to ensure appropriate controls, compliance, and efficiency.

• Support long-range capital planning through reliable project forecasting and portfolio analytics.

Vendor & Consultant Management

• Develop consistent vendor management practices, performance metrics, and procurement processes.

• Support competitive RFPs, consultant selection, contract oversight, and performance management.

• Promote standardization and continuous improvement across vendor relationships.

Data, Analytics & Process Improvement

• Establish project data standards that support portfolio reporting, analytics, automation, and future AI capabilities.

• Develop dashboards, KPIs, and executive reporting tools such as the monthly cost report that improve organizational visibility and decision support.

• Lead continuous process improvement initiatives that strengthen governance, efficiency, and operational performance.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build and lead a high-performing project controls team.

• Foster collaboration across multidisciplinary stakeholders while providing objective oversight and independent recommendations.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on portfolio performance, risk mitigation, resource planning, and operational priorities.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.

• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in project controls, capital program management, business operations, finance, facilities planning, construction management, or a related field.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Project Management, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in a related field.

• Experience in healthcare or an academic medical center.

• Experience establishing project controls, PMO, or portfolio governance functions.

• Experience with business intelligence, analytics, automation, and AI-enabled reporting.

• Professional certification such as PMP, CCM, PSP, or equivalent.

• 5 years in a leadership or management role with responsibility for leading teams, enterprise initiatives, or complex capital portfolios.

KNOWLEDGE

These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education or licensure/certification.

• Significant leadership experience in project controls, capital program management, business operations, finance, facilities planning, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex capital programs or enterprise project portfolios.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, risk management, change management, portfolio reporting, and governance.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and communicate effectively with executive leadership.
• Ability to analyze complex financial, operational, and project performance data to provide strategic recommendations and support executive decision-making.
• Ability to lead organizational change, optimize business processes, and implement operational improvements that enhance organizational performance.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships, influence diverse stakeholders, and achieve results in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Ability to lead, develop, coach, and evaluate staff while promoting accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of project controls, capital program management, construction contract administration, financial management, portfolio governance, healthcare facilities planning, and California hospital planning, design, construction, and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and compliance requirements related to areas of responsibility.
• Knowledge of organizational leadership, strategic planning, fiscal management, personnel administration, and continuous improvement methodologies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions in which the job is typically performed are available from the Occupational Health Department. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Additional Information

Pay Range
Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role.
Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Typically, new team members join at the minimum to mid salary range.
Minimum to Midpoint Range (Hourly): $89.95 to $116.93

Stanford Medicine Childrens Health (SMCH) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SMCH does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements, and where applicable, in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.