Senior Director of Operations

Education Qualifications: Master’s degree in business, healthcare administration or related field.

Job Summary: The Operations Senior Director (OSD) provides strategic and operational leadership for the hospitalist service, encompassing the divisions of hospital medicine, emergency medicine, and critical care for adult, pediatric, and neonatal care within Essentia Health’s Duluth hospitals. This role oversees the day-to-day management and operational success of these divisions at St. Mary’s Medical Center and Essentia Health Duluth while aligning operations with the East Market’s hospitalist service framework. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Operations, the OSD serves as a trusted advisor, key operational leader, and delegate for the VP Administrator of Essentia Health Duluth (EHD). Collaborating closely with physician leaders and clinical teams, the OSD ensures seamless integration of care and alignment with organizational priorities. In addition to operational responsibilities, the OSD actively represents Essentia Health through community engagement, including board memberships, committee participation, and civic involvement. This position is pivotal in enhancing care quality and operational efficiency and strengthening the organization’s presence within the Duluth community.

Essential Functions and Accountabilities:

• Provide operational oversight and leadership for hospital medicine, emergency medicine, and critical care services within Duluth hospitals.
• Collaborate with hospitalist teams, emergency medicine staff, and critical care providers to align services, drive best practices, and ensure high-quality patient care.
• Act as a delegate for the VP Administrator of EHD, supporting decision-making processes and operational responsibilities.
• Partner with the Senior Vice President of Operations to implement strategic initiatives, operational improvements, and financial objectives.
• Foster relationships within the Duluth community by actively participating in local boards, councils, and community organizations.
• Mentor and develop staff within assigned divisions, promoting leadership growth, accountability, and collaboration.
• Champion initiatives to improve patient outcomes, regulatory compliance, and operational performance across the supported divisions.
• Monitor and manage budgets for assigned areas, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial targets.

Work Experience:

• 10 years of applicable experience.
• 5 year’s of formal leadership experience.
• Demonstrated competencies in leadership, management, operations and communications.
• Operational experience must include demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple disciplines (i.e., physician, administrative, supervisor, shared services and staff).

Required Competencies:

• Strong operational leadership skills, with a focus on hospitalist services and related divisions.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, clinical teams, and administrative leaders.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities across diverse teams.
• Financial acumen and resource management expertise, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Capacity to drive innovation and process improvement to enhance patient care and operational performance.
• Ability to represent the organization within the community through active engagement and leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams through organizational change and aligning operational goals with strategic priorities.

Preferred Competencies:

• Experience in critical access or PPS hospital administration.
• Charismatic leadership style with the ability to rally and motivate teams.
• Familiarity with faith-based healthcare systems and their unique operational requirements.