Director, Implementation and Operations

Director, Implementation and Operations 

at Zócalo Health

Location: Within comfortable commuting distance of Baltimore County, Maryland (Montgomery County, Prince George’s County or Baltimore City)

Work From Home

Compensation: $140,000-$150,000  

About Us 

Zócalo Health is the first tech-driven provider built specifically for Latinos, by Latinos. We are developing a new approach to care that is designed around our very own shared and lived experiences and brings care to our gente. Founded in 2021 on the idea that our communities deserve more than just safety nets, we are backed by leading healthcare and social impact investors in the country to bring our vision to life.

Our mission is to improve the lives of our communities—communities that have dealt with generations of poor experiences. These experiences include waiting hours in waiting rooms, spending mere minutes with doctors who don’t speak their language, and depending on their youngest kids to help them navigate our complex healthcare system. At Zócalo Health, we meet our members where they are, bringing care into their homes and neighborhoods through our team of community-based care providers and virtual care offerings.

We partner with community-based organizations, local healthcare providers, and health plans that recognize the value of culturally aligned care, which are not limited to brief interactions in an exam room. Together, we are building a new experience that revolves around the use of modern technology, culturally competent primary care, behavioral health, and social services to provide a radically better experience of care for every member, their family, and the communities we serve.

We are committed to expanding our reach to serve more members and their communities. We are looking for passionate individuals who share our belief that healthcare should be accessible, personalized, and rooted in the community. Join us in our mission to ensure that no one has to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system alone and that everyone receives the local, culturally competent care they deserve.

Role Description

Zócalo Health is seeking a Director, Implementation and Operations to lead the successful execution of new contracts, ensuring a seamless transition from contracting to operational execution. This role will serve as the single-threaded owner for the implementation and operational oversight of new contracts. This role requires strategic execution, deep collaboration across teams, and strong problem-solving skills to ensure all new initiatives are effectively integrated within existing systems and structures.

The Director, Implementation and Operations will work closely with Clinical Operations leadership to ensure all new programs align with Zócalo Health’s infrastructure, care model, and workflows. They will also act as the key liaison between the Clinical Operations and Business Development teams, ensuring a seamless handoff from contract execution to operational rollout.

Additionally, this role will support community engagement strategy as part of implementation efforts, ensuring Zócalo Health has a strong local presence in new markets. This individual must be located in Maryland (Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, or Baltimore City) and be available to travel for on-the-ground engagement as needed.

About the Role

Implementation Leadership & Program Launch

• Own end-to-end implementation of new contracts, ensuring all aspects of operational execution align with Zócalo Health’s model.
• Lead cross-functional planning and execution, ensuring alignment between contracting, clinical operations, and technology teams.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for implementation timelines, milestones, and successful program delivery.
• Identify and mitigate potential roadblocks, proactively problem-solving to ensure a smooth and timely rollout.
• Support the initial development of a community engagement strategy as part of the implementation process.
• Build relationships with local partners, healthcare providers, and community organizations to strengthen program visibility and uptake, as part of the initial phase of implementation. 
• Attend and participate in local events, coalition meetings, and community roundtables to enhance Zócalo Health’s presence in new markets, as part of the initial phase of implementation. 

Operational Integration & Execution

• Work closely with Clinical Operations leaders to ensure seamless integration of new contracts into existing workflows, teams, and systems.
• Ensure alignment with Zócalo Health’s operational infrastructure, including EHR, data sharing, care coordination processes, and compliance requirements.
• Partner with Business Development and Payer Contracting teams to define operational feasibility and set realistic launch expectations during the contracting phase.
• Develop repeatable, scalable implementation frameworks to standardize best practices across multiple contracts and markets.

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Develop key performance indicators and success metrics for each new implementation.
• Establish regular reporting cadences to monitor program performance and escalate issues as needed.
• Provide structured feedback to leadership on opportunities for process improvements and efficiency gains.

Requirements for the Role

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, project management, or a related field; Master’s degree (MPH, MPP, MBA), preferred.
• Equivalent years of additional work experience may substitute for the degree requirements. 

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in healthcare operations, implementation, or program management.
• Proven track record of leading end-to-end implementations for new contracts, programs, or service lines.
• Experience working in value-based care, managed care organizations (MCOs), or health plan partnerships.
• Ability to translate business objectives into operational processes and ensure seamless execution.

Skills:

• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to drive execution across multiple teams.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Proficiency in project management software and EHR systems, particularly Athena.
• Willingness to participate in community engagement, partnership-building, or public health initiatives.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) to support community engagement activities, preferred but not required.

Benefits & Perks

• Ground floor opportunity; shape the direction of a fast-growing, high impact healthcare company
• Comprehensive benefits (medical/dental/vision)
• Generous home office stipend 
• Competitive compensation 
• Generous PTO policy including 6 paid holidays.

You must be authorized to work in the United States. We are open to remote work anywhere in the locations outlined in this job description.

At Zócalo Health Inc., we see diversity and inclusion as a source of strength in transforming healthcare. We believe building trust and innovation are best achieved through diverse perspectives. To us, acceptance and respect are rooted in an understanding that people do not experience things in the same way, including our healthcare system. Individuals seeking employment at Zócalo Health are considered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 

Those seeking employment at Zócalo Health are considered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.