Director of Quality, Safety, and Performance Improvement

The Director of Quality, Safety, and Performance Improvement provides strategic and operational leadership for the Quality and Safety Division within System Clinical Care Services (SCCS) at UC Davis Health (UCDH). Reporting to the Chief Quality Officer (CQO) and serving as a strategic partner, the Director co-leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of enterprise-wide quality, patient safety, and performance improvement initiatives that advance organizational excellence and support UC Davis Health's mission.

The Director is responsible for establishing and sustaining a comprehensive quality management infrastructure that promotes safe, effective, equitable, timely, efficient, and patient-centered care across the health system. This position provides collaborative executive partnership for quality and patient safety programs, regulatory reporting, performance measurement, continuous improvement initiatives, and organizational readiness for accreditation and regulatory compliance.

Working collaboratively with executive leadership, physicians, nursing, operational leaders, Risk Management, Information Technology, Medical Staff Administration, Regulatory and Credentialing, and multidisciplinary teams, the Director develops system-wide strategies that improve clinical outcomes, strengthen patient safety, enhance data integrity, and optimize organizational performance. The Director also serves as a key advisor to senior leadership on emerging quality, safety, regulatory, and performance improvement priorities.

Department Specific Job Scope

The Director provides enterprise-wide leadership for quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, performance improvement, and quality analytics across UC Davis Health. The position directs or collaborates on multiple organizational initiatives, oversees quality infrastructure, and collaborates extensively with executive leadership, medical staff, clinical departments, and external agencies to advance organizational priorities.

The Director is responsible, in conjunction with the CQO, for developing strategic priorities, allocating resources, establishing governance structures, monitoring organizational performance, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Department Overview

The Quality and Safety Division provides leadership for enterprise-wide quality, patient safety, regulatory performance improvement, and High Reliability initiatives across UC Davis Health. The department partners with clinical, operational, and administrative leaders to improve patient outcomes, reduce variation in care, strengthen organizational performance, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation standards.

Apply By October 16, 2026 at 11:59pm

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality Certification (CPHQ).
• Master's degree in nursing, Organizational Development, Public Health, Health Administration or related field and/or equivalent experience, training, and education.
• Minimum of 10 years in a large academic organization or healthcare background.
• Extensive knowledge of quality improvement tools and methodologies such as PDCA, Lean, Six Sigma, statistical process control analysis.
• Proven history of achieving goals and driving institutional improvement strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert level understanding of the art and science of quality improvement and patient safety.
• Extensive experience managing quality and safety grants and initiatives.
• Innovation and leadership experience in quality and safety project management.
• Documented history of implementing and accomplishing quality and safety improvements in a complex health care organization or system.
• Experience with effective display and presentation of data, statistics, metrics, including dashboard development and maintenance.
• Ability and skills to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with all levels and functions.
• Collaborate with UCDMC leadership, UCOP leadership, and other UC sites to achieve goals exceeding national benchmarks.
• Implement creative strategies for staff engagement and integration to improve culture of safety.
• Exceptional level of professionalism, discretion, and the ability to manage extremely sensitive and confidential issues.
• Outstanding listening, interpersonal relationship building, and critical thinking skills.
• Proven supervision, management, budgeting, strategic planning experience.

Key Responsibilities

• 30% - Strategic Leadership and Quality Improvement
• 30% - Regulatory Compliance, Quality Reporting, and Analytics
• 20% - Patient Safety and High Reliability
• 10% - Collaboration and Organizational Leadership
• 10% - People Leadership

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $146500.00 - $302100.00
• Salary Frequency: Monthly
• Salary Grade: Grade 28
• UC Job Title: QLTY IMPV HC MGR 2
• UC Job Code: 006521
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100
• Shift (Work Schedule): 8-5
• Location: North Addition Office Building (HSP002)
• Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
• This position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy, and employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures and training requirements

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks