Director, Surgical Systems Strategy

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits Eligible

Job summary

The Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago is seeking a Director of Surgical System Strategy. This leadership role involves aligning faculty recruitment across perioperative departments, managing surgical deployment planning, and utilizing data analytics to improve operational efficiency and patient care quality.

The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in healthcare administration and at least 10 years of experience in healthcare operations, specifically surgical services. This is a full-time position offering a salary range of $150,000 to $200,000 with eligible benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field.
• 10 years of experience in healthcare operations, specifically surgical services strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Support site‑level and health system surgical deployment planning.
• Help coordinate faculty deployment across perioperative departments.
• Monitor operational performance and key metrics.

Skills

Leadership

Healthcare operations

Data analysis

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Master's degree in healthcare administration or related field

College or university degree in related field

Job description

Job Summary

The Director of Surgical System Strategy is responsible for working with the Senior Executive Director for Surgery System Operations and Health System Vice President for Perioperative, Procedural, and Imaging Services to support the strategic plan of the health system by aligning faculty recruitment and deployment across all perioperative departments and service lines within the health system. This leadership role involves understanding regionalization and operationalizing surgical systems across capacity, access, and margins by location to ensure efficient allocation of resources, optimal patient care, and adherence to regulatory standards. The role will utilize data analytics to provide findings to Senior Executive Director for Surgery System Operations to better monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to operational efficiency, financial outcomes, and patient care quality, leveraging insights to drive improvements in surgical services. In collaboration with department heads, service line leaders, location‑specific system leaders, and strategy teams, this role develops comprehensive deployment plans, aligns financial and operational objectives, and fosters innovation in surgical services while advancing the overall health system strategy.

Responsibilities

• Support site‑level and health system surgical deployment planning in partnership with department, service line, strategy, and operational leaders.
• Assist in evaluating market needs, growth opportunities, recruitment priorities, and potential partnerships to inform surgical services planning.
• Help coordinate faculty deployment across perioperative departments and service lines, considering OR capacity, clinic access, resource needs, and financial goals.
• Monitor program growth, operational performance, and key metrics such as access, capacity, utilization, length of stay, and quality outcomes.
• Partner with operational and ambulatory leaders to support scheduling, staffing, space planning, patient routing, and resource coordination.
• Support budget tracking, reporting, compliance, quality improvement, and performance follow‑up to help ensure strategic and operational goals are met.
• Provide leadership to managers and professional staff within a department to support teaching, medical research and clinical care. Facilitate research initiatives of the faculty and staff.
• Establish department priorities, allocate resources and execute strategic plans.
• Manage non‑medical activities of the department(s). Advise policy development and implementation in various departmental areas.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field strongly preferred.
• 10 years of experience in healthcare operations, specifically surgical services strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in a leadership role with a successful track record in team management and project execution.
• Ability to manage in an efficient, dynamic, and growth‑oriented manner by fostering a continuous learning mentality that is applied to the overall department in alignment with the organizational commitment to excellence.
• Demonstrates developing leadership skills and sound judgment in supporting strategic initiatives.
• Applies strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills to manage priorities and support decision‑making.
• Uses data, reporting tools, and healthcare information systems to monitor performance and identify opportunities.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with leaders, faculty, staff, and cross‑functional partners.
• Builds effective working relationships and supports collaboration across departments, service lines, and locations.
• Shows initiative, adaptability, and attention to detail in advancing operational and strategic goals.

Working Conditions

• Office Environment.

Other Job Details

• Job Family: Administration & Management.
• Role Impact: People Manager.
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40.
• Drug Test Required: No.
• Health Screen Required: No.
• Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required: No.
• Pay Rate Type: Salary.
• FLSA Status: Exempt.
• Pay Range: $150,000.00 – $200,000.00.
• Benefits Eligible: Yes.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.