Senior Associate, Continuous Improvement

Senior Associate, Continuous Improvement

City/Country Location Details Bethesda, MD

Employment Status Full-Time Regular

Job Type Corporate

Job Title/Grade: Senior Associate, Continuous Improvement (P3)

Reports to: Sr. Director, Continuous Improvement

Department: USG Business Transformation

Business Unit: USG

Work Location: Bethesda, Maryland (Hybrid)

Date: June 2024

Salary Range: $63,704 (min) - $69,325 (progress)

Function of the Team:

The Continuous Improvement (CI) team collaborates and creates partnerships with leadership and DAI teams to solve business challenges and make DAI better. We do this through business optimization efforts, facilitated process improvements, maintained operating manuals and quality standards, and strategic initiatives aligned with DAI priorities. We are uniquely skilled and positioned to manage transformative change, inform decision-making, monitor quality, and align strategic priorities across the company.

Function of the Position:

The incumbent will work within the CI team to lead administration of department activities and support CI initiatives designed to improve business processes and gain operating efficiency and effectiveness in support of DAI business goals. They may also complete short term (STTA) assignments for projects managed by DAI around the world. The Senior Associate will work across business units and corporate departments to ensure that DAI's policies and procedures are maintained and updated, as well as provide quality assurance and business process management guidance and expertise.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Administrative Management

• Provides advanced administrative support to CI initiatives and departmental activities, including organizing records and data, improving knowledge management, and maintaining SharePoint and other platforms.

• Helps develop CI project plans and supports the facilitation of working group sessions throughout all phases of the CI process.

• Monitors, documents, and drafts presentations for initiatives and activities.

• Supports meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss cross-department initiatives and supports the discussion of potential solutions for areas of inefficiency, bottlenecks, or waste.

• Assists in the coordination of CI team assignments, initiatives, progress, status, and work.

• Processes updates and ongoing maintenance of DAI Operations Manuals.

• Works with DAI teams to ensure the content of DAI Operations Manuals are being implemented and supported through training.

Corporate Initiatives

• Participates in cross-group or corporate initiatives that aim at improving corporate competitiveness, service quality, and cost savings.

• Supports knowledge management of corporate initiatives and best practices and works in conjunction with project management to facilitate training on best practice initiatives.

Business Analysis

• Supports CI team to conduct periodic analysis of business data as directed by the Sr. Director, Continuous Improvement, or designee.

• Provides input and assistance in the development of departmental priorities.

Quality Assurance

• Supports assigned quality control and assurance functions both within the team and throughout the business unit as assigned.

• Assists with reporting and ensuring compliance on specific functions identified by the Sr. Director, Continuous Improvement. Supports CI's maintenance of the company's Schedule of Authorities.

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience and a college degree in a related area. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

• Strong ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

• Experience coordinating and documenting meetings, working groups, or large groups of people with varying opinions.

• Excellent organizational and administrative skills with keen attention to detail and timeliness.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in process improvement, quality assurance, and/or an environment that implements ISO, lean concepts, or similar continuous improvement methodology.

• Knowledge of or experience in change management methodology.

• Knowledge of or experience with USAID regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Experience providing administrative or project management support to international donor-funded projects.

• Experience with operations manuals, policies, or procedures.

• Proficiency in a second language.

Supervisory Requirements: None

Compensation & Benefits

For employees working the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary range for this position is expected to be between $63,704 to $69,325. Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S. based employees will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, and parental leave, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Back (~~~)