Clinical Partnership Operations Director–Transplant Services

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Director will be an NM employee working at a clinical partnership institution’s location with responsibility for the operational leadership, program development, and strategic growth of the partner’s transplant program. Combining NM expertise and partner resources, the Director will advance academic-level, patient-centered organ transplant care providing patients local access to leading treatments and clinical research. The Director will have a dual reporting relationship with both the NM and clinical partnership institution’s transplant service line leadership with a dotted line to NM Clinical Partnerships leadership.

The Director will serve as the administrative dyad to the clinical partner’s Medical Director of Transplant working to establish trusting, productive relationships with clinical partner physician leaders, hospital administrators, and key stakeholders to elevate care capabilities, expand market reach, and drive continuous innovation in transplant care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Program & Playbook Development:

• Lead the design, implementation, and growth of a comprehensive organ transplant program.
• Develop program assessments and implementation playbooks for use with clinical partners.
• Develop and execute strategic plans for service line growth in alignment with clinical partner goals.
• Implement innovative care models enabling multidisciplinary care across the patient journey.
• Oversee accreditation and compliance efforts, e.g., OPTN

Operational Leadership & Performance Management:

• Provide oversight of daily operations across transplant services, ensuring efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate with physician leaders to enhance clinical workflows and care coordination.
• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and utilize data analytics to monitor the program.
• Formulate and implement transplant program policies and procedures.
• Lead efforts to implement new technologies and precision medicine.

Financial & Business Development:

• Manage the transplant team budget, aligning financial performance and organizational goals.
• Secure funding sources, including philanthropy and grants, for program expansion.
• Drive profitability through strategic growth initiatives and revenue cycle optimization strategies.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends and differentiation opportunities.

Physician & Staff Engagement:

• Lead efforts to recruit, retain, and mentor top transplant talent including physicians, mid-level providers and transplant administrative and clinical staff.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional development.
• Develop physician alignment strategies, clinical integration, and research collaboration.
• Support physician engagement and wellness to enhance team performance and retention.

Quality & Patient-Centered Care:

• Ensure high-quality transplant care using NM clinical standards and evidence-based guidelines.
• Develop navigation programs and ancillary services.
• Promote multidisciplinary case reviews and quality improvement efforts.
• Partner with NM and clinical partner research teams to increase access to clinical trials..

Other

• Travel to NM’s Chicago health system locations will be required for initial onboarding and then for occasional visits throughout the year (<10%)&#xa0;

Required

• Master’s degree required; Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Health Administration (MHA) preferred.
• Five (5) or more years health care experience.
• Experience working within a clinical environment.
• Outpatient setting experience.
• Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading transplant operations in an Academic Medical Center or health system.
• Experience with transplant clinical trials and novel technologies
• Understand value-based care models and complex care reimbursement

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.&#xa0; Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.&#xa0;

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our&#xa0;Benefits&#xa0;section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):&#xa0;Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.&#xa0;