Fast Facts

Ascend Learning seeks a Process Optimization Specialist to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes within ILAS, collaborating across departments to drive efficiency and standardization.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include identifying process improvement opportunities, developing process documentation, collaborating with stakeholders, implementing best practices, establishing metrics, analyzing performance data, and preparing reports.

Skills: Applicants should have experience in process improvement methodologies, proficiency with process mapping software, and strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications: A high school diploma is required, with a bachelor's degree preferred and at least 3 years of relevant experience in educational publishing or learning solutions.

Location: This position is hybrid with the option to work remotely, based at the Leawood, Kansas location.

Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $75,000 - $100,000.

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture 

Ascend Learning is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. 

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. 

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more. 

Ascend Learning leads the way in innovation and solution creation to improve outcomes and deliver results for students, educators, and healthcare workers in the ever-changing field of healthcare. We offer advanced resources that drive nursing success, empower front-line certified allied health workers, help physicians pass boards and stay current, and provide education management tools for medical education programs. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO  

As a Process Optimization Specialist, you will focus on enhancing operational efficiency and streamlining processes primarily within ILAS. You will also collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless handoffs of inputs and outputs that are critical to ILAS operations. Leveraging your extensive experience in process improvement, you will drive efficiency and standardize key processes. Additionally, you will establish metrics and monitoring systems to evaluate the effectiveness of these processes. 

WHERE YOU’LL WORK  

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Leawood, KS office location. Remote candidates will be considered. 

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME 

• Use data insights and industry trends to identify opportunities for process improvements and validate workflow enhancements. 
• Develop clear and concise process documentation to support process improvements and standardizations. 
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to gather feedback and ensure policies and processes are practical and effective to streamline the content development lifecycle from ideation to launch. 
• Implement best practices to simplify and standardize key processes, making them more efficient and user-friendly. 
• Establish metrics and monitoring systems to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and processes of the content development workflow. 
• Regularly review and analyze performance data and identify trends and opportunities for improvement. 
• Adjust processes as necessary based on monitoring results and feedback from stakeholders. 
• Prepare detailed reports on process performance and improvement initiatives for leadership to review. 
• Champions, and may lead, the implementation of process efficiencies for quality assurance. 
• Ensures integrity and quality of data delivered through application of appropriate in-house tools/external resources. 

WHAT YOU'LL NEED 

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent Required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. 
• 3+ years of process improvement experience in educational publishing/learning solutions environment. 
• Professional certification (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) preferred.  
• Experience with process mapping software, for example Visio, strongly preferred.   
• Ability to establish, adopt, and implement new processes, procedures, and standards in an environment of continuous improvement and innovation. 
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies strongly preferred. 
• Understanding data analytics and the ability to use data to drive decision-making and process improvements. 
• Ability to use formal project management software and/or techniques. Experience with Smartsheet and Jira Align/Jira preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a team environment and influencing peers to achieve desired project outcomes. 
• Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to appropriately tailor communication for various audiences and settings. 
• Work collaboratively and provide feedback in a constructive manner. 
• Demonstrate proven problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; able to predict, identify, and independently resolve issues in a timely and effective manner. 

BENEFITS 

• Flexible and generous paid time off  
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance  
• 401(k) employer matching program 
• Parental leave 
• Wellness resources 
• Charitable matching program 
• Hybrid work  
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington) 
• Community outreach groups 
• Tuition reimbursement 

Fostering A Sense of Belonging 

We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued and be their authentic selves. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.  

About Ascend Learning 

As a tech-enabled services company, Ascend Learning is a national leader in developing and delivering data-driven online educational content, software, assessments, analytics, and simulations serving institutions, students and employers across healthcare, fitness and wellness, public and workplace safety, skilled trades, insurance, financial services, cybersecurity, and higher education. We're committed to accelerating the learning pathways that can move people into careers where they have the knowledge and skills to have an impact and help change lives in the communities they serve. Headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2023 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity. 

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. 

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