Vizient ODB Specialist - Senior Financial Analyst

University of Iowa Health Care is the state’s only comprehensive academic medical center, bringing together world-class patient care, pioneering research, and outstanding education. As a nationally recognized leader in medicine, we offer opportunities to work alongside top experts in a collaborative, innovative environment that values excellence, compassion, and discovery. Join us in shaping the future of health care—while making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities across Iowa and beyond.

UI Health Care has an opportunity for a Vizient Operational Database (ODB) Specialist to serve as an integral member of the UI Health Care Finance team and is responsible for coordinating the collection, validation, analysis, and quarterly submission of ODB data to Vizient. This role collaborates with stakeholders across Finance, Enterprise Analytics, departmental leadership, and Vizient to ensure accurate and timely reporting, while serving as the primary point of contact for ODB-related activities and benchmark reporting. The coordinator supports the use of Vizient data to identify performance trends and improvement opportunities, develop KPI reporting, and inform financial and operational decision-making in partnership with operating budget, decision support, and operational teams.

Position responsibilities:

• Coordinate UI Health Care's quarterly Operational Database (ODB) data submission to Vizient, collaborating with internal departmental stakeholders, Finance, Enterprise Analytics, and Vizient representatives.

• Manage the quarterly ODB submission process, including data collection, entry, validation, reconciliation, finalization, and submission through Vizient's Data Collection Module.

• Perform comprehensive data quality reviews and audits to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency, and appropriate interpretation of submitted data and resulting reports.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for ODB-related communications, activities, questions, and initiatives involving internal UI Health Care stakeholders and external Vizient partners.

• Coordinate data gathering requirements and collaborate with Enterprise Analytics and other data partners to support accurate, timely, and sustainable ODB reporting.

• Communicate the impact of changes in services, volumes, staffing, revenues, expenses, organizational structure, and general ledger activity on ODB reporting and benchmarking results.

• Coordinate and facilitate the annual review and completion of Vizient ODB questionnaires, surveys, and other required documentation.

• Maintain and administer Vizient ODB user access and accounts in accordance with organizational needs and established processes.

• Coordinate ODB education and training opportunities for stakeholders and collaborate with Vizient and internal partners to promote effective use and interpretation of ODB reporting.

• Develop and maintain quarterly KPI dashboards and other reporting tools to communicate organizational performance, benchmark results, trends, and material changes to leadership and key stakeholders.

• Partner with operational and financial leaders to interpret benchmark data, identify performance improvement opportunities, and support data-informed decision-making related to investments, utilization, productivity, and expense management.

• Collaborate with Operating Budget, Decision Support, and other Finance teams to identify opportunities for operational efficiency and financial improvement and monitor performance following implementation of improvement initiatives.

• Support the effective use of Vizient benchmarking and comparative data by translating complex results into meaningful insights and actionable information for stakeholders.

This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization now or in the future.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent amount of education and experience

• 3 years of accounting, auditing, and/or financial analysis experience

• Prior experience utilizing or coordinating preparation and use of benchmark data

• Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and desire to take on tough and challenging projects

• Superb time management skills and the ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment

• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to perform complex financial analyses

• Demonstrated ability to filter through ambiguity while executing on the details of tasks under tight deadlines

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in conjunction with cross-functional teams

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to think critically and creatively when working with data

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft software applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word

Desired:

• Experience in health care finance or analytics. Preference given to a background in an academic setting.

• Demonstrated ability to transform data into useful information tailored to leadership needs through storytelling and data visualization

• Experience with relational databases, structured query language (SQL), Power BI, and other data software

• Experience in identifying opportunities for operational improvement, using creative efforts to bring about solutions

• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous and complex situations

• Knowledge of University of Iowa and UI Health Care accounting principles, internal controls, and information systems

Application Process: To be considered, applicants must upload a cover letter and resume (under the submission of relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.

• Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Sharon Walther at sharon-walther@uiowa.edu.