Director of Operations Planning/UKHC

U K Healthcare Ltd; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky HealthCare seeks a Director of Operations Planning for the Chandler Hospital Expansion. You will lead strategic facilities planning, activation, and transition for a 900-bed expansion, aligning processes with UKHC’s mission and delivering high-quality, patient-centered outcomes.

You will oversee governance, change management, and future-state operating models across service lines while fostering collaboration with executives and stakeholders to drive safety, efficiency,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in facilities planning, project management, or healthcare operations.
• Experience with major hospital construction/replacement projects including activation and operational readiness.
• Professional certifications in project management or healthcare administration are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, activation, and transition for a new 900-bed hospital focused on efficiency, quality, safety, and patient-centered care.
• Develop future-state operating models for service lines and optimize patient flow and staff efficiency.
• Own governance pathways, manage change requests, and drive standardization across project phases.
• Promote professional development and model UK HealthCare’s values in all interactions.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Patient-centered care

Safety & quality

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (MBA/MHA/MSN, etc.)

Job description

Posting Details

Job Title Director of Operations Planning/UKHC

Requisition Number RE55971

Working Title Director of Operations Planning - Chandler Hospital Expansion

Department Name H4030:Performance Services

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 15

Salary Range $95,056-185,848/year

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education MA

Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience 7 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification None

Physical Requirements The physical requirements for this position include regularly sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time with repetitive motion (such as typing); occasionally pushing, pulling, and/or lifting objects up to 50lbs; and occasionally traveling for work related-purposes.

Shift Monday-Friday; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; As an exempt level position, evenings, nights, and weekends will be required to meet departmental needs.

Job Summary As a leader in the Chandler Expansion initiative, you will drive strategic facilities operational planning and execution, ensuring patient-centered, efficient, and high-quality outcomes. Your role involves overseeing inpatient unit projects from concept to activation, collaborating with stakeholders to align processes and outcomes with UKHC’s mission. Additionally, you will have opportunities to innovate care delivery models, enhance patient safety, and provide project updates to executive leadership.

• Facilities Planning & Execution: Lead strategic and operational oversight for the planning, activation, and transition of a new 900-bed hospital focused on efficiency, quality, safety, patient-centeredness, and financial success.
• Operational Transformation: Champion innovative care delivery models to improve clinical outcomes, patient flow, and staff efficiency; develop future-state operating models for all service lines (e.g., perioperative, pharmacy, EVS , transport) aligned with long-term strategic goals.
• Governance, Standards, & Change Readiness: Own building/operational standards, manage deviation requests and design exceptions, and establish governance pathways; develop and execute change-management strategies to drive alignment and adoption across all project phases.
• Professional Development: Continuously expand professional knowledge through training and seminars, while modeling UK HealthCare’s values and fostering trust in all interactions.

Albert B. Chandler Hospital

The University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, a 569-bed acute care hospital, has Central and Eastern Kentucky’s only Level I trauma center, and handles the most severe traumas. It has the only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit in the area to treat the sickest infants. The hospital also offers 100 intensive care beds, a post-anesthesia care unit, 17 operating rooms,14-bed labor and delivery, and 26 mother-baby rooms. The hospital draws upon the resources of six UK colleges: Medicine, Nursing, Health Sciences, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Public Health.

Lead the Way in Facilities Innovation with UK HealthCare

At the University of Kentucky, we are dedicated to advancing healthcare through exceptional patient care, innovative solutions, and community impact. Join our team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our facilities while contributing to a culture that values leadership, collaboration, and excellence.

Core Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Business, Architecture, Engineering, Operations, or a related field; advanced degree ( MBA , MHA , MSN , etc.) required.
• Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in facilities planning, project management, or healthcare operations, ideally within a large academic medical center or complex health system. Significant experience with major hospital construction/replacement projects, including direct involvement in activation, transition, commissioning, and operational readiness. Proven track record of leading organizational change across multiple departments, as well as developing standardized operating models, workflows, and future-state care delivery processes.
• Relevant professional certifications in project management, healthcare administration, or facilities planning are preferred—specifically, Lean, Six Sigma, Prosci, PMP , or similar credentials are desirable.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities A proven ability to lead large-scale initiatives with a focus on safety, quality, and patient-centered outcomes. Strong collaborative skills to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders within the organization.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience Masters degree with a minimum of 7 years; relevant professional certifications in project management, healthcare administration, or facilities planning are preferred—specifically, Lean, Six Sigma, Prosci, PMP , or similar credentials are desirable.

Deadline to Apply 10/05/2026

Our University Community We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.