Executive Director, Blood Services

Vitalant; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

A major nonprofit blood services organization is seeking an Executive Director of Blood Services to oversee operations and ensure compliance within a regional blood center. This strategic leader will manage performance, inspire teams, and enhance community partnerships for successful blood drives. The role requires strong analytical skills, relevant experience, and the ability to navigate a complex environment. The position is based in Rapid City, SD, and demands a dedicated leader to support vital community health needs.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years in supervisory roles.
• Healthcare or blood service operations knowledge preferred.
• Ability to travel (30% – 50%).

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the regional blood center.
• Ensure production and budget goals are met.
• Build, coach, and evaluate high-performing teams.
• Develop strategies to optimize collections and donor satisfaction.
• Foster community partnerships to support donor recruitment.
• Collaborate across business units for continuous improvement.
• Represent the region in enterprise initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Effective communication

Coaching skills

Proficient with computer systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

Donor management systems

Job description

Overview

As the Executive Director of Blood Services, Your Impact is Vital! You will lead the full operational and regulatory functions of a regional blood center, drive production results while maintaining strict compliance and quality standards. You will serve as the key executive for your geographic area, responsible for meeting production and expense targets through effective resource management, staff leadership, and collaboration across mobile and fixed sites. This role demands a strategic leader who thrives in a complex, compliance-driven environment and who excels at deepening community engagement with partners such as schools, hospitals, businesses, and government officials.

To be considered for the position, applicants will need to reside in the Rapid City area or Billings area. This individual will work in-office three days weekly. Fully remote applicants will not be considered.

You will work closely with the Divisional Vice President and cross-functional leadership to ensure consistent, high-quality outcomes that support Vitalant’s mission to provide a safe, reliable blood supply. With travel up to 50%, this role requires a dynamic, adaptable leader able to inspire and influence diverse teams across multiple locations.

Compensation for this role will be commensurate with your years of relevant experience and geographic location in alignment with our internal compensation framework.

You Get To

• Oversee daily operations of assigned regional blood center, ensuring production targets and budget goals are met.
• Lead compliance with internal SOPs and external regulations, escalating issues as needed.
• Build, coach, and evaluate high-performing teams; resolve employee issues effectively.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize mobile and fixed site collections, donor satisfaction, and resource allocation.
• Foster strong community partnerships to support donor recruitment and mission awareness.
• Manage facility and fleet operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant environments.
• Collaborate across business units to drive continuous improvement in efficiency, quality, and customer service.
• Represent the region in enterprise initiatives and maintain professional networks to stay abreast of industry trends.

Requirements

Knowledge/Education

• Bachelor's degree required
• Knowledge of healthcare or blood service operations preferred.

Experience

• Eight years of related experience required, including at least five years in supervisory roles.
• Previous blood center or health care industry experience preferred

Skills And Abilities

• Must possess the skills and abilities to successfully perform all assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Strong analytical, statistical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to organize, prioritize, and execute a variable workload and multiple priorities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Participative leadership style with strong coaching skills and the ability to guide and motivate senior and executive-level managers.
• Proficient with computer systems and platforms.
• Ability to travel (30% – 50%).

Summary

About Us

Vitalant is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. We have a network of 115 donation centers across the U.S. and host approximately 60,000 blood drives annually. Vitalant provides blood and special services to patients in more than 900 hospitals across the U.S. where millions of people depend on blood donations from our generous donors.

Vitalant is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace built on a foundation of respect, integrity, teamwork, and excellence. We create opportunities for employees of all backgrounds to feel valued, seen and heard. We believe this mission drives creativity and innovation, as employees experience an environment conducive to personal growth and career development.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Our organization is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the employment process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] to let us know the nature of your request.

For more EEO information about applicant rights click here

Job Posting Disclaimer

Please note: Vitalant does not currently hire individuals who reside in the following states — Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont.