University of Kentucky

Director of Operations Planning/UKHC

University of Kentucky • $95K — $185K *
Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Business, Architecture, Engineering, Operations, or related field.
  • 7+ years leadership experience in healthcare facilities planning and project management.
  • Experience in large academic medical centers or complex health systems.
  • Proven track record with major hospital construction projects from activation to operational readiness.
  • Relevant certifications in project management or healthcare administration preferred (Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, etc.).

Responsibilities

  • Lead operational planning for the Chandler Hospital expansion initiative.
  • Oversee inpatient unit projects from concept to activation and beyond.
  • Champion innovative care delivery models to improve clinical outcomes and patient efficiency.
  • Develop and execute change management strategies across project phases.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with UKHC's mission.

Benefits

  • Continuous professional development opportunities including training and seminars.
  • Fostering trust and teamwork in all interactions.
  • Engagement in innovative healthcare projects with a focus on patient care and safety.
  • Contribution to significant community health initiatives through direct hospital expansion.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Details

Job Title
Director of Operations Planning/UKHC

Requisition Number
RE55971

Working Title
Director of Operations Planning - Chandler Hospital Expansion

Department Name
H4030:Performance Services

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Grade Level
15

Salary Range
$95,056-185,848/year

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

MA

Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

7 yrs

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 HealthCare'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.

Core Requirements
• 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.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

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 responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

Masters degree with a minimum of 7 years; relevant professional certifications in project management, healthcare administration, or facilities planning are preferred-specifically, Lean, Six Sigma, Prosci, PMP, or similar credentials are desirable.

Deadline to Apply
10/05/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

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