Continuous Improvement Director

Continuous Improvement Director

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Typically requires 10+ years of experience in operations, project management, internal controls, or technology implementation
• Typically requires 10+ years of functional experience in business or operations
• Typically requires 5+ years of leadership experience within a collaborative, fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated experience leading large, cross-functional initiatives in financial services or a similar regulated industry

Responsibilities

• Lead Strategic Transformation: Drive the planning, execution, and delivery of enterprise-wide continuous improvement programs that support BECU’s strategic direction.
• Champion Operational Excellence: Actively shape and evolve the Operational Excellence strategy, ensuring consistency, effectiveness, and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Set the Standards: Implement clear standards, policies, and procedures to measure performance, track success, and continuously refine operations.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with internal teams and external vendors to deliver innovative solutions that serve both employee and member needs.
• Be a Change Leader: Serve as a change agent across departments, helping teams navigate and embrace transformation in support of impactful outcomes.
• Elevate the Member and Employee Voice: Analyze survey data and other feedback tools to uncover needs and turn insights into meaningful improvements.
• Coach and Mentor for Success: Provide strategic coaching and mentorship to key leaders and staff, helping build internal capabilities for process improvement.
• Develop the Business Case: Use data and insights to build compelling cases for investments that align with BECU’s strategy and member priorities.
• Oversee Risk and Compliance: Ensure that improvement initiatives align with federal and state regulations and coordinate cross-functional efforts to maintain compliance.
• Manage Vendor Partnerships: Lead vendor contract oversight to ensure cost-effective, high-quality services that directly benefit BECU members.
• Foster Communication and Collaboration: Maintain open communication channels across BECU, ensuring alignment and shared progress toward our goals.
• Deliver Accurate Reporting: Maintain essential audit, reporting, and performance metrics to ensure transparency and accountability across the business.
• Adapt and Contribute: Jump in to support broader departmental initiatives as needed—because your flexibility and problem-solving matter.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or certification in project management, operational excellence, or business process improvement
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other improvement methodologies
• Experience partnering with external vendors and managing high-impact contracts
• Prior involvement with regulatory or audit processes
• Public speaking or industry advocacy experience
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels
• Experience with reporting, metrics, and performance tracking
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with sound judgment and discretion