Project Manager, Workforce Transformation

Heartland Whole Health Institute is a non-profit that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being by working with health systems, employers, and communities to redesign health care delivery. Job Description: Job Title: Project Manager, Workforce Transformation Reports to: Program Manager, Workforce Transformation  FLSA Classification: Exempt Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site) Date Reviewed: 5/17/2026 Who We Are Heartland Whole Health Institute (HWHI) is dedicated to transforming health care – beginning in our home of Northwest Arkansas and scaling to disrupt the national health crisis. We advocate, educate, and guide the implementation of an innovative system, rooted in whole health and the realignment of financial incentives. Our team members are collaborative, analytical, mission-driven, and working together to change the status quo. The Institute’s 85,000-square-foot facility is located on the campus of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art near Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. About The Position The Project Manager, Workforce Transformation is a key role responsible for driving the successful planning, organization, execution, and delivery of complex initiatives supporting the development and implementation of innovative workforce transformation programs. This role ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with the strategic objectives of the department. This position directs and coordinates resources throughout the full project lifecycle, from conceptual planning to project retrospectives and lessons learned. The Project Manager ensures projects achieve predetermined objectives related to scope, cost, time, and quality while supporting effective collaboration across internal teams and external partners. The role requires expertise in managing complex initiatives that involve coordination across health care organizations, employer partners, community organizations, and internal teams. The Project Manager works closely with leadership, subject matter experts, operational staff, and external stakeholders to develop project plans, establish timelines, track budgets, and support implementation efforts. Success in this role requires strong organizational abilities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Project Leadership - Lead all aspects of assigned workforce transformation projects from conceptual planning through project closeout, ensuring delivery within scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations while maintaining alignment with organizational priorities and long-term goals. - Translate program and operational goals into clear, actionable project strategies and advocate for effective implementation plans from concept through completion. - Direct pre-implementation efforts including operational scoping, stakeholder coordination, feasibility assessments, and project planning to establish a strong foundation for project success. - Oversee preparation and delivery of comprehensive project status reports to department leadership, highlighting progress, risks, and issues. - Lead project closeout activities, ensuring full completion of documentation, process validation, and operational readiness. - Develop and manage project budgets, execution plans, and timelines, ensuring delivery within scope, on schedule, and on budget. - Partner closely with departmental leadership to track budgets, review invoices, approve payments, and ensure financial and administrative accuracy throughout project execution. - Create and manage Request for Proposal (RFP) processes as needed, including drafting, evaluating, interviewing, and selecting vendors, consultants, and project partners. - Execute and manage appropriate contracts in collaboration with legal and finance teams to mitigate risk and align with organizational goals. - Review and approve contract or scope changes, ensuring decisions are informed by cross-functional collaboration, cost implications, and project constraints. - Ensure appropriate legal protections, including confidentiality and data protection requirements, are in place to protect sensitive project information. - Maintain oversight of vendor and consultant performance, including adherence to schedules, scope management, and budget tracking. - In coordination with departmental leadership, oversee compliance with regulatory, operational, and contractual requirements related to workforce transformation initiatives. - Provide day-to-day coordination and support to project contributors and cross-functional teams, resolving issues proactively and ensuring project momentum. - Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders to support alignment and effective collaboration throughout project delivery. Team Collaboration - Provide clear coordination across internal teams and external project partners to ensure effective execution and accountability to project milestones and key performance indicators. - Foster a collaborative and high-performing project environment by encouraging accountability, communication, and continuous improvement among project contributors. - Promote a solution-oriented mindset across project teams and support alignment with departmental priorities. - Support onboarding and knowledge transfer for project contributors to ensure alignment with best practices and project goals. - Support projects and initiatives of Heartland Whole Health Institute as assigned. - Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs. Qualifications and Requirements - Bachelor’s degree in healthcare, education, business management, or a related field required. Equivalent experience may be considered for exceptional candidates. - Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent strongly preferred. - 5–7 years of experience managing complex projects with demonstrated success delivering projects on time, within scope, and on budget. - Prior experience working in complex organizations such as healthcare systems, healthcare innovation organizations, higher education institutions, nonprofits, or multi-entity structures strongly preferred. - Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners to meet project goals and timelines while fostering a collaborative, performance-driven culture. - Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders across diverse functional areas. - Excellent decision-making and critical thinking skills in a fast-paced, innovative environment where change is constant. - Ability to manage competing priorities, orchestrate multiple activities, and coordinate cross-functional groups to achieve project objectives. - Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with attention to detail and risk awareness. - Familiarity with budgeting, scheduling, change management, and procurement processes within project environments. - Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools such as MS Project, Excel, Smartsheet, Asana, Jira, or similar platforms. - High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with discretion. - Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Physical demands: In the work environment described, this position requires utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good hand-eye coordination, bending and stretching, and the physical stamina to lift and transport a minimum of 10 pounds. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job. Work environment: Work is performed on-site (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) in a professional, climate-controlled office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. The role also requires interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some travel will be required, and a flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours. Heartland Whole Health Institute is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and a background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.