Director of Operations Planning​/UKHC

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,/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 Health Care’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 Health Care
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.

• 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…