Manager, Process Excellence & Automation

Manager, Process Improvement & Business Optimization-Hybrid Location US-CA-Valencia ID 2026-1702 Category Business Strategy Execution Position Type Full-Time Remote No Overview In partnership with business, operations, and technology leaders, the Manager, Process Improvement & Business Optimization develops and leads a portfolio of initiatives designed to simplify work, improve end-to-end processes, and enhance employee and member experiences. The role identifies, prioritizes, and advances opportunities to improve workflows, reduce friction, strengthen controls, and deliver measurable gains in efficiency, quality, speed, and service through process improvement, operational excellence, and practical solution design. This role partners across business units, technology, Human Resources, and governance groups to deliver scalable improvements using process redesign, automation, and emerging technologies such as robotic process automation, UiPath, AI, and related tools, where appropriate. The Manager translates business needs into practical solutions, supports adoption and sustainment, and helps build a culture of continuous improvement that advances enterprise priorities and improves outcomes for members and employees. Responsibilities Lead, coach, and develop a team responsible for process improvement, workflow optimization, internal service enhancement, and business optimization initiatives. Establish team priorities, intake processes, and delivery plans aligned to the highest-value opportunities and enterprise objectives. Identify, assess, and prioritize process improvement opportunities across business functions using data, employee feedback, stakeholder input, and operational performance indicators. Lead end-to-end improvement initiatives, including discovery, current-state assessment, root cause analysis, future-state design, implementation planning, testing, rollout, and operational handoff. Incorporate internal UX/UI principles into process redesign to improve usability, clarity, and effectiveness of employee-facing systems, workflows, and tools. Identify, evaluate, and advance opportunities to use automation and enabling technologies, including robotic process automation, UiPath, AI, intelligent automation, workflow tools, and related digital capabilities, to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, shorten cycle times, and enhance employee and member outcomes. Integrate enterprise AI strategies, governance, and risk considerations into process improvement efforts, ensuring responsible and scalable application of emerging technologies. Apply structured improvement methods such as Lean, continuous improvement, problem solving, and systems thinking to simplify work, reduce waste, improve controls, and strengthen service delivery. Create and maintain process maps, workflows, standard operating procedures, business requirements, and related documentation to support consistency, transparency, and sustainment. Partner with business, operations, and technology teams to redesign workflows, improve handoffs, eliminate bottlenecks, and increase speed, quality, and reliability. Partner with technology teams, vendors, and governance stakeholders to define requirements, assess feasibility, support design and testing, and implement automation and workflow solutions in a responsible, scalable, and secure manner. Monitor implemented improvements and automated solutions to confirm expected results, resolve issues, optimize performance, and support continuous improvement over time. Develop business cases, cost-benefit analyses, implementation roadmaps, and success measures to support prioritization and decision-making. Define and track key performance indicators for process improvement and automation initiatives, including efficiency, quality, cycle time, adoption, risk reduction, cost savings, and experience outcomes. Communicate objectives, options, progress, risks, tradeoffs, and outcomes clearly to leaders and stakeholders, including executive audiences as appropriate. Support change management, training, communication, and adoption activities so approved improvements are embedded into day-to-day operations and sustained over time. Ensure improvement and automation initiatives align with applicable policies, controls, compliance requirements, and governance expectations. Serve as an internal consultant and trusted partner to leaders seeking to improve workflows, service models, operating practices, and employee experiences that support better member service. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws, including hiring, coaching, performance management, development, recognition, and resolution of employee issues. Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in business, operations, engineering, technology, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience Minimum 7 years of experience in process improvement, operational excellence, transformation, innovation, or employee-facing improvement roles. Minimum 5 years of prior people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management, work prioritization, and team development. Knowledge, Skills & Ability Experience leading cross-functional initiatives from assessment through implementation, adoption, and sustainment. Demonstrated experience leading process improvement, operational excellence, business transformation, workflow optimization, or similar initiatives in a complex organization. Strong knowledge of process mapping, business requirements gathering, root cause analysis, performance measurement, and change management. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or related continuous improvement methodologies preferred. License preferred. Experience identifying and advancing automation opportunities using technologies such as robotic process automation, UiPath, workflow platforms, AI-enabled productivity tools, APIs, or related capabilities preferred. Ability to translate business needs into practical, scalable solutions while balancing near-term improvement opportunities with long-term sustainability. Experience incorporating employee feedback and internal UX/UI considerations into solution design and execution. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data and qualitative insight to inform recommendations and decisions. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present recommendations, tradeoffs, and outcomes clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. Experience working in regulated or service-oriented environments preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with project management, workflow, reporting, or process documentation tools. Disclaimer Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled Pay Range USD $112,945.10 - USD $175,064.90 /Yr. #J-18808-Ljbffr