System Director of Clinical Operating Program

The System Director of Clinical Operating Program is responsible for implementing and advancing Deaconess Health System's enterprise Clinical Operating System across hospitals, ambulatory care, and corporate services. This highly collaborative role partners with clinical, operational, quality, technology, and executive leaders to standardize processes, improve operational performance, and drive meaningful improvements in patient care, safety, quality, and team engagement.

Serving as the central leader for the Clinical Operating Program, the System Director oversees implementation, governance, change management, and ongoing adoption of standardized workflows. This position ensures initiatives remain on schedule, stakeholders stay aligned, and performance outcomes are achieved while fostering a culture of continuous improvement throughout the health system. As the Clinical Operating Program evolves, this role provides strategic direction to ensure long-term sustainability and alignment with organizational priorities.

The ideal candidate is an experienced healthcare leader with a strong background in project and program management who excels in complex environments, communicates effectively with executives and frontline caregivers alike, and is passionate about improving operational excellence through collaboration, innovation, and sustainable change.

Essential Functions

• Provide strategic leadership for the implementation and ongoing advancement of the Clinical Operating Program across the health system.
• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives by managing project plans, timelines, governance, risks, and cross-functional workstreams.
• Partner with clinical, operational, quality, IT, HR, finance, and executive leaders to ensure organizational alignment and successful program adoption.
• Drive change management initiatives, leader engagement, communication strategies, and training programs that support long-term success.
• Monitor program performance through data, dashboards, and key performance indicators to identify opportunities for operational improvement.
• Develop executive presentations, governance updates, implementation materials, and progress reports for senior leadership.
• Champion continuous improvement by identifying workflow gaps, standardizing best practices, and promoting operational excellence.
• Advocate for practical, frontline-focused solutions that improve caregiver workflows, enhance patient outcomes, and support a culture of accountability.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Clinical Discipline, Project Management, Operations, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in healthcare operations, project management, performance improvement, change management, or leadership.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in a healthcare environment.
• Strong project management, facilitation, organizational, and executive communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and build collaborative relationships without direct authority.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Nursing, Public Health, or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean, Six Sigma, Change Management, or other continuous improvement certification.
• Experience with daily management systems, leader standard work, quality improvement, patient safety, patient experience, or clinical operations.
• Experience implementing technology-enabled workflows within a multi-hospital or integrated health system.