Implementation Specialist-I&S (Full-time Remote, North Carolina Based)

The Implementation Specialist - Innovation and Strategy supports the planning, coordination, and implementation of strategic initiatives within the Innovation and Strategy Division. This position is primarily responsible but not limited to supporting the Rural Health Transformation Project through stakeholder coordination, implementation planning, operational readiness activities, project tracking, and execution support. The Implementation Specialist leads assigned implementation efforts and project workstreams while partnering with project managers, operational leaders, providers, and other stakeholders to ensure project objectives are achieved. This is a grant-funded or time-limited position established for a one-year period with no guarantee of extension, renewal, or continued employment beyond the approved funding period. This position is fulltime remote. Selected candidate must reside in North Carolina. Some travel for onsite meetings to the Home office (Morrisville, NC) may be required. Responsibilities & Duties Implementation Planning and Execution

• Coordinate implementation activities for assigned projects and initiatives
• Develop and maintain implementation plans, milestones, action logs, and project documentation
• Track deliverables and follow up with stakeholders to ensure timely completion of assigned tasks
• Support project launches, transitions, pilots, and operational deployments Project Support
• Serve as a key implementation resource and become subject matter expert for the Rural Health Transformation initiative
• Coordinate project activities, stakeholder meetings, workgroups, and implementation workstreams
• Assist in tracking project outcomes, deliverables, and reporting requirements
• Support collaboration with community partners, providers, state agencies, and internal departments
• Effectively communicate feedback and provide ongoing coaching and mentoring to staff and support a learning environment to advance team skills and professional development
• Cultivate and encourage efforts to expand cross-team collaboration and partnership Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
• Coordinate communications among project teams, subject matter experts, providers, and external partners. Prepare meeting materials, status updates, presentations, and implementation reports
• Facilitate meetings and document action items, decisions, and follow-up activities Operational Readiness and Change Support
• Coordinate readiness activities including training schedules, communication plans, workflow development, and implementation checklists
• Assist operational teams in preparing for new processes, services, programs, and system changes
• Track and document lessons learned and implementation outcomes Project Monitoring and Reporting
• Maintain project schedules, action logs, risk trackers, and implementation dashboards
• Monitor progress toward milestones and escalate concerns, barriers, or risks to project leadership
• Assist with data collection, reporting, and performance monitoring activities Collaboration
• Maintain collaborative relationships across departments and stakeholders
• Support special projects and other duties as assigned related to implementation and organizational priorities

Minimum Requirements Education & Experience Required:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public health, healthcare administration, business administration, human services, organizational development, information systems, project management, or a related field and three (3) years of experience coordinating, implementing, or leading projects, programs, operational initiatives, or organizational improvement efforts.

Additional Experience Required:

• Project coordination and implementation activities
• Leading workgroups, meetings, or project workstreams
• Managing project schedules, action plans, or deliverables
• Stakeholder communication and coordination

Preferred:

• Experience implementing healthcare, behavioral health, Medicaid, public health, or rural health programs.
• Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience using Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or similar project management tools.
• Experience working with providers, community-based organizations, or healthcare delivery systems.
• Project management certification. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Project coordination and implementation planning
• Ability to lead project workstreams and implementation activities
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills
• Ability to coordinate multiple priorities simultaneously
• Experience utilizing project management software and reporting tools
• Knowledge of healthcare, Medicaid, behavioral health, or rural health systems
• Change management and operational readiness principles Salary Range $69,592 - $88,729/Annually Exact compensation will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, external market data and consideration of internal equity. An excellent fringe benefit package accompanies the salary, which includes:
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long Term Disability
• Generous retirement savings plan
• Flexible work schedules including hybrid/remote options
• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, holiday, management leave
• Dress flexibility