Business Process Optimization Engineer

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals.

The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders.

Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The Business Process Optimization Engineer (BPOE) is responsible for developing and implementing academic business processes optimized to support the growth, service level, and cost performance needs of the individual colleges and functional practices of WGU.

This position works very closely with the business analyst in the Education Technology team and the process owners within the Academic Operations teams to drive detailed redesign and re-engineering of the current processes and to lead the establishment of brand new, breakthrough processes to ensure WGU's fulfillment of our Student Obsession mission and goals.

The Business Process Optimization Engineer (BPOE) brings a deep working knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma tools to analyze and design optimized processes and value streams as a working member of our project teams.

This position works to optimize both the fine process details of very focused workflows and the groups of processes (systems) that drive value streams across multiple colleges or functions.

Business Process Optimization Engineers work to model capacity, service levels, outcomes, and cost over time in conjunction with Finance and Operations teams to predict and prevent supply and demand imbalances leading to sub-optimized process performance.

The BPOE role is a high visibility position and requires both technical process design / analysis / modeling skills as well as advanced team leadership and communication skills.

The position will be directly involved in the largest and most important transformation projects at WGU.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities :

• Responsible for being the Lean and Six Sigma tools and methodologies expert on project teams and process redesign teams.
• Performs detailed process analysis using Lean and Six Sigma tools to drive the design and implementation of optimized business processes for academic operations practices, functions, and colleges.
• Coaches, trains, and assists other team members and WGU employees in using process optimization methodologies and Lean / Six Sigma tools.
• Uses Project Management methodologies to plan workflows and work assignments to ensure the on-time completion of process design and redesign projects.
• Creates and maintains a detailed business process architecture mapping of the Practice's process.
• Develop measurement plans with high-level and low-level KPIs to identify efficiencies and prevent waste in the organization.
• Directs day-to-day process improvement work teams and project teams in using process optimization tools and data to ensure the best use of the team members' time.

This includes leading, mentoring, demonstrating, and executing the tools and methodologies as needed to ensure the on-time success of the team.

• Designs and implements operational and data-driven decision support systems to establish and maintain a culture of execution and continuous process improvement (CPI).
• Supports process and cultural transformation by guiding stakeholders through change management efforts.
• Constructs and communicates project status reports at all levels in the organization.
• Collaborates with other professionals inside and outside the university to promote a positive, student-obsessed atmosphere.
• Consistently exhibits WGU's Leadership Principles
• Responds with urgency to organization needs and exhibits excellent judgment to deliver results.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities :

• Knowledge of Lean & Six Sigma tools and concepts
• Solid understanding of quality Improvement methodologies
• Working knowledge / proficiency in Project Management Processes & Principles
• Fundamental understanding of Business Process Architecture Mapping
• Problem-solving skills : Investigate appropriate resources and involve partners when applicable. Future-oriented. Assesses what will help or hinder achieving goals.

Focuses on what is essential.

Interpersonal skills : Deals with others in a considerate, respectful, and unbiased manner. Approaches conflict proactively.

Solicits and shares feedback openly. Listens with empathy and maintains composure.

• Accuracy : Draws on facts collected from a broad knowledge of WGU's goals and processes.
• Adaptability : Corrects behaviors and communication style to meet the needs of a wide range of situations. Tackles obstacles appropriately.

Comfortable with ambiguity.

Reliability : Accountable to others; does what it takes to get the job done. Actions are consistent with words. Follows through on commitments.

Exhibits exceptional integrity.

Attitude : Displays commitment to the organization and to personal growth. Is self-motivated and able to motivate and inspire others.

Asserts self appropriately to champion ideas. Tells the truth in a direct and constructive manner.

• Initiative : Self-directs with a strong tendency for action. Leads the way to improve performance or processes. Displays keen interest in students and organization.
• Working with others : Serves student or employees in a considerate, respectful and unbiased manner, approaches conflict proactively, solicits and shares feedback openly, listens with empathy and maintains composure.

Competencies :

Organizational Impact :

• Works to achieveoperational targetswithin job areasimpactingdepartment,function, oroffice results.
• Work is performedindependently onmoderately complexprojects and assignmentswith some guidancerequired for directionand complex tasks.

Setsobjectives for oneself to meet the goalsof projects orassignments.

Problem Solving & Decision Making :

• Responsible foremploying adjustmentsor recommendedenhancements tosystems and processes tosolve problems orimprovethejob area'seffectivenesswhile leveraginga systems-thinkingapproach.
• Problems faced mayrequireanunderstanding ofa broader set of issuesand job areas.

Communication & Influence :

Collaborates with contacts typically within the job area to obtain or provide information requiring some explanation or interpretation.

Leadership & Talent Management

• May provide guidanceand assistance to entry-level professionalsandor supportemployees.
• Demonstratesthe WGUleadership principles inall aspects of service tostudents, employees,andpartners of WGU.

Job Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications :

0 to 2 years of related experience

Department Specific Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor's or Master's degree. Degree(s) must be in Industrial Engineering, Service Systems Engineering , Operations Research, Supply Chain Management, Actuarial Science, MBA (Master of Business Administration) or other relevant engineering / business / technical discipline .

Education must be from an accredited institution. Education is verified.

• Minimum of 0-2 years of professional experience in a technical / engineering background.
• Minimum of 0-2 years of experience working with Lean & 6 Sigma methodologies & tools in optimizing business processes.
• Light travel required, at maximum, 10% to 15% of time.
• This role is located in WGU's Salt Lake City office.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Green Belt or Black Belt or Master Black Best certification (or the ability to achieve in 2 to 3 years)
• Lean Silver or Gold certification (or the ability to achieve in 2 to 3 years)

Physical Requirements :

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets;

experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

A reasonable estimate of the current range is :

Pay Range : $77,200.00 - $115,700.00

WGU will accept applications for this position until 12 : 00 AM ET, 09 / 09 / 2024

How to apply : apply online

Full-time Regular Positions (FT classification, standard working hours 40)

• This is a full-time, regular position that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare;
• health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages;

legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition ; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual , 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

The University is an equal opportunity employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.