Senior Director, Moran Eye Center

Overview

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

Responsibilities

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.