The Senior Director, John A. Moran Eye Center (JMEC) provides strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for one of the nation’s premier eye care, research, and education programs within the University of Utah Health system.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Ambulatory Services, this role is responsible for translating organizational priorities into actionable strategies, advancing service line performance, and ensuring operational excellence across clinical, research, and academic programs.

The Senior Director provides leadership and direction not only to JMEC operations but also in support of the Department of Ophthalmology within the School of Medicine, working closely with the Chair of Ophthalmology and faculty leadership to align operational goals with the department’s academic, clinical, and research missions.

This position oversees operations across multiple locations, including the main campus and satellite clinics, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and operational excellence. It is responsible for significant budgetary oversight, including strategic resource allocation, financial forecasting, and overall performance management, while influencing strategic decisions that directly impact the service line’s growth, patient care delivery, research initiatives, and academic mission.

In close partnership with the Executive Director, the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, and other executive leaders, the Senior Director drives initiatives that optimize patient care delivery, financial sustainability, quality outcomes, and patient experience.The incumbent evaluates current and emerging industry trends, operational systems, and business opportunities, providing insight and recommendations that shape service line strategy and strengthen the center’s reputation as a national and global leader in ophthalmic and optometric care. Serving as a strategic advisor and catalyst for innovation, the Senior Director partners with departmental leadership, faculty, and system executives to advance the mission and vision of JMEC and the Department of Ophthalmology while aligning with broader institutional goals for growth, quality, and patient-centered care.

Qualified candidates must have completed:

• Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in healthcare operations, preferably within an academic medical center or specialty care environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, operational leadership, business development, and performance improvement.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in ophthalmology, optometry, or specialty service line operations.
• Familiarity with academic health system structures, faculty practice plans, and clinical research environments.
• Practice management experience in a health care setting. Operational experience in a health care facility.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Partner with the Executive Director of Ambulatory Services, the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, and other executive leaders to develop and implement strategic initiatives that advance JMEC’s mission, the department’s academic and clinical goals, and the broader strategic objectives of University of Utah Health.
• Lead the creation and execution of long-range strategic plans that integrate clinical care delivery, research advancement, academic priorities, and operational excellence.
• Provide executive-level insight on market trends, emerging technologies, expansion opportunities, and evolving patient care models that influence ophthalmic and optometric services.

Operational & Business Performance

• Direct operational planning and performance improvement initiatives across JMEC and its satellite locations, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives and departmental priorities.
• Monitor and evaluate key operational, clinical, academic, and financial metrics; identify opportunities for enhanced efficiency, quality, and growth.
• Oversee budget development, strategic resource allocation, and financial performance, ensuring the sustainability of both clinical operations and departmental initiatives.
• Recommend and implement enhancements to systems, processes, and structures to support operational scalability, research innovation, and academic excellence.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and institutional policies. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director of Ambulatory Services, senior leadership, and School of Medicine department chairs.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration to achieve shared objectives.
• Present business reviews, performance updates, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and governance bodies.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a trusted partner and strategic advisor to the Chair of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine faculty, executive leadership, and hospital leadership to align operations with departmental and institutional missions.
• Collaborate closely with faculty leaders on initiatives that integrate clinical operations with research priorities, residency and fellowship programs, and faculty practice needs.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration that drives quality, innovation, and programmatic growth.
• Present business reviews, strategic recommendations, and performance updates to system executives, department leadership, and governance bodies to inform decision-making and advance shared objectives.

People & Organization Leadership

• Champion a culture of excellence, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across all JMEC operations and departmental initiatives.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and support to management teams and staff, ensuring alignment with organizational values, departmental goals, and strategic priorities.
• Partner with faculty leadership to support workforce planning, faculty engagement, and academic program development.
• Lead initiatives that enhance patient experience, improve quality outcomes, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration between clinical, academic, and research teams.

Talent Management

• Hiring, training, developing, and communicating with staff.

Financial Management

• Develop and execute long-range financial strategies in alignment with U of U Health.
• Serve as the financial advocate and steward for assigned area.
• Support cross-mission decision-making with data-driven financial insight.
• Responsible for developing, monitoring, and achieving budget goals.
• Manages labor and non-labor expenses to budget or flex budget.
• Manages revenue to budget to maximize potential revenue.

EPE/Service

• Responsible for patient satisfaction scores within assigned area(s).
• Responsible for upholding PROMISE standards of direct reports and team members.

Quality

• Responsible to achieve quality goals for assigned area(s).
• Manages and promotes continuous process improvements in assigned area(s).

Performance Management

• Responsible to provide staff feedback on performance, including on-time appraisals and coaching.
• Responsible to deal with conflicts in a proactive manner and to reach resolution in a timely manner.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Proven ability to develop and execute long-term strategies that align clinical operations, academic missions, and research initiatives with institutional goals.

• Academic Health System Expertise: Deep understanding of the structure, priorities, and dynamics of academic medical centers, including experience partnering with physician leaders, department chairs, and faculty to advance shared objectives.

• Collaborative Partnership: Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with executive leaders, faculty, clinical staff, and research teams to drive operational excellence and strategic growth.

• Business & Financial Acumen: Advanced skills in budget development, financial forecasting, and strategic resource allocation, with the ability to balance fiscal responsibility with mission-driven initiatives.

• Change Leadership: Expertise in leading large-scale organizational initiatives, implementing process improvements, and driving cultural and operational transformation in complex, matrixed environments.

• Operational Excellence: Strong knowledge of healthcare operations, quality improvement, and performance metrics, with the ability to translate data into actionable strategies that enhance patient care and organizational performance.

• Communication & Influence: Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively influence decision-making across various stakeholder groups — from faculty governance bodies to executive leadership teams.

• Patient-Centered Focus: Commitment to advancing high-quality, patient-centered care while integrating academic and research priorities to improve outcomes and advance the field of ophthalmology.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in healthcare operations, preferably within an academic medical center or specialty care environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, operational leadership, business development, and performance improvement.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred

• Experience in ophthalmology, optometry, or specialty service line operations.
• Familiarity with academic health system structures, faculty practice plans, and clinical research environments.
• Practice management experience in a health care setting. Operational experience in a health care facility.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This is a sedentary position in an office setting that may exert up to 10 pounds and may lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position involves sitting most of the time and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions