Director of Operations Planning/UKHC

University of Kentucky; Lexington, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky leads the Chandler Hospital Expansion as a Director of Operations Planning. This role drives strategic facilities planning and execution, ensuring patient-centered, efficient, and high-quality outcomes from concept to activation.

You will oversee inpatient unit projects, align processes with UKHC’s mission, and drive governance, change readiness, and innovation across service lines while reporting to executive leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of leadership in facilities planning or healthcare operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, activation, and transition of the new 900-bed hospital.
• Champion innovative care delivery models to improve patient flow and outcomes.
• Own governance, standards, and change-readiness across project phases.
• Support professional development and alignment with UK HealthCare values.

Skills

Leadership experience

Facilities planning

Project management

Healthcare operations

Change management

Operational readiness

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Business, Architecture, Engineering, Operations, or related field

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

Tools

Lean

Six Sigma

Prosci

PMP

Job description

Working Title Director of Operations Planning - Chandler Hospital Expansion

Department Name

Department Name H4030:Performance Services

Work Location

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 15

Salary Range

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

Type of Position

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education

MA

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.

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

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

Deadline to Apply 10/13/2026

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.