Senior Strategic Operations Specialist

The Senior Strategic Operations Specialist serves as a key operational partner to the SVP of Operations and Strategic Implementation. This role is designed for a highly motivated, self-directed professional who can manage complex projects, develop operational processes, and contribute to executive-level initiatives while supporting Catalight's strategic mission.

Essential Job Functions

Executive Support & Partnership:

• Partner closely with the SVP of Operations to support day-to-day and long-term strategic priorities.
• Anticipate needs, manage competing priorities, and ensure initiatives stay on track.
• Prepare briefings, presentations, reports, and decision-support materials for executive leadership.
• Represent the SVP's operational priorities in cross-functional meetings and communications as appropriate.

Project Management:

• Lead and coordinate high-priority, cross-functional projects from inception to completion.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, and accountability structures.
• Monitor project progress, proactively identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Manage multiple competing priorities with agility and precision.

Process Design & Improvement:

• Design, document, and implement process flows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across operational areas.
• Identify inefficiencies and recommend data-driven solutions to optimize operations.
• Partner with operational teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
• Translate complex workflows into clear, actionable process documentation.

Healthcare Network & Health Plan Operations:

• Support strategic initiatives related to healthcare network management and health plan operations.
• Collaborate with clinical, compliance, and network teams to ensure operational alignment.
• Stay current on managed care marketplace trends, regulatory requirements, and behavioral health operations best practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance:

• Build strong relationships across departments to drive alignment and collaboration.
• Support management of regulatory and compliance-related activities.
• Ensure operational initiatives adhere to applicable federal, state, and industry regulations.
• Facilitate working sessions, prepare agendas, and track action items across teams.

Qualifications

Minimum Education, Experience & Training Equivalent to:

We believe humans with a diverse range of experiences may be suited for work at hand. We are avoiding education and experience minimums with an acknowledgment that these can be barriers for historically excluded groups.

This role is suited for a dynamic, empathetic, and forward-thinking leader with a proven track record of inspiring teams, strong operational and programmatic thinking, driving organizational growth, and championing social impact, particularly within a nonprofit or community-focused setting.

What would be a plus:

• Direct experience serving or working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
• Direct experience in healthcare operations, health plan operations, or healthcare network management.
• Demonstrated experience supporting executive-level operations or initiatives.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects .
• Experience with process design, workflow development, and operational improvement.
• Strong understanding of managed care, behavioral health operations, and/or IDD services.
• Familiarity with provider network management.
• Experience with health plan operations, contracting, or network strategy.

Requests:

• Must be able to communicate effectively within the work environment, read and write using the primary language with the workplace.
• Visual and auditory ability to work with clients, staff, and others in the workplace continuously.
• Frequent speaking and listening (25-75%) to clients, staff, and others in the workplace.
• Ability to utilize computer, cell phone (iPhone).
• Frequent sitting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (organized by our company values): 

Community oriented:

• Seeks to understand the underlying needs, desires, and values of colleagues.
• Proactively builds spaces for others to engage in learning and community.
• Appreciates and demonstrates collaboration across teams.
• Serves as a role model, bringing our core values to life in your work.
• Appreciation for cross-departmental collab