Discover Director of Operational Excellence opportunities on Ladders, where professionals can explore vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more. These senior leaders help organizations improve performance, streamline processes, and build a culture of continuous improvement. Roles span industries and may focus on enterprise transformation, quality, supply chain, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, or business operations.
A Director of Operational Excellence develops and leads initiatives that make an organization more effective, resilient, and customer-focused. Responsibilities often include identifying process gaps, setting improvement priorities, establishing performance measures, and partnering with executives and operational teams to deliver sustainable results. Depending on the employer, the role may oversee Lean, Six Sigma, change management, process design, or operational transformation programs.
Employers commonly look for strategic leadership, analytical problem-solving, change management, and the ability to influence across departments. Experience with continuous improvement methods such as Lean or Six Sigma, along with data analysis, project portfolio management, and KPI development, can be valuable. Many positions require a bachelor’s degree and substantial relevant experience; some prefer an advanced degree or professional certification.
Director of Operational Excellence roles are available in sectors where reliable, efficient processes are critical, including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, logistics, retail, and technology. The scope varies: some directors lead improvement teams at a single site, while others shape operating models and transformation efforts across multiple business units or global organizations. Career paths may lead to vice president of operations, chief operating officer, or enterprise transformation leadership.
Use Ladders to explore vetted senior-level opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare roles by industry, location, and scope, and look for positions that match your experience in operational strategy, process improvement, and executive leadership.
$80K - $95K *
Champion quality excellence by leading the Quality department to ensure compliance with food safety, quality standards, and regulatory requirements, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic food and beverage manufacturing team as you lead the Quality department, ensuring compliance with safety, food quality, and product standards while managing KPIs and continuous improvem...
Reposted 1 month ago
$90K - $215K *
Lead creative operations to optimize digital media campaigns, ensuring efficiency and quality. Foster team development, strengthen client partnerships, and implement scalable processes to enhance coll...
3 days ago
$120K - $167K *
Lead a dynamic UX team while driving strategy and hands-on design. Collaborate across functions to enhance user experiences and integrate AI capabilities, ensuring high-quality outcomes and fostering...
2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's defining and automating logistics processes, driving quality improvements, and implementing best practices to elevate operational efficiency across distribution networks...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Director, Program Management, Patient Activation
$191K - $271K *
Join a team that's shaping the Patient Activation strategy, driving enterprise-wide initiatives, and influencing cross-functional leaders to enhance patient care access and outcomes in a dynamic envir...
Today
$177K - $234K *
Lead project governance and management excellence across diverse environmental projects. Drive consistency, accountability, and performance while supporting teams with tools and insights for successfu...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing and managing specialty gas delivery systems, ensuring alignment with customer needs and market trends while driving product innovation and lifecycle strategies for the se...
2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of software development by leading a dynamic team, driving project delivery, and enhancing solutions through effective mentorship and architecture decisions while aligning technical s...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Build high-performing software teams that drive critical project success while managing technical architecture and mentorship. Collaborate with leadership to align solutions with business needs and en...
3 weeks ago
Principal Transactional Excellence Leader
$165K - $242K *
Transform enterprise transactional processes by leading improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean methodologies and AI solutions to enhance efficiency, user experience, and productivity across multiple...
2 weeks ago
Principal Transactional Excellence Leader
$165K - $242K *
Lead enterprise-level process improvement initiatives, driving excellence across transactional functions. Collaborate with stakeholders to redesign workflows, leverage AI, and establish standards that...
2 weeks ago
Principal Transactional Excellence Leader
$165K - $242K *
Drive enterprise-level process improvements and AI-enabled transformations across transactional functions. Lead initiatives to enhance efficiency, establish standards, and mentor teams, ensuring measu...
2 weeks ago
Principal Transactional Excellence Leader
$165K - $242K *
Lead enterprise-level process improvement initiatives, driving measurable results across transactional functions. Collaborate with stakeholders to redesign workflows, enhance efficiency, and establish...
2 weeks ago
Principal Transactional Excellence Leader
$165K - $242K *
Pioneer enterprise-level process improvements across transactional functions, leveraging Lean methodologies and AI. Collaborate with stakeholders to redesign workflows, enhance efficiency, and establi...
2 weeks ago
Principal Transactional Excellence Leader
$165K - $242K *
Drive enterprise-level process improvements across transactional functions, leveraging Lean methodologies and AI to enhance efficiency, user experience, and productivity. Collaborate with stakeholders...
2 weeks ago
Principal Transactional Excellence Leader
$165K - $242K *
Advance enterprise-level process excellence initiatives by identifying inefficiencies, redesigning workflows, and implementing AI-enabled solutions to enhance productivity and user experience across t...
2 weeks ago
$115K - $125K *
Drive the successful operation of multiple dining services across various communities by overseeing performance metrics, compliance, and team development, while ensuring financial health and client sa...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to operational excellence in IT service delivery. This role ensures high-quality IT services across the region, driving performance, managing escalations, and fostering co...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive operational excellence by leading a 200-member team in a union manufacturing site. Oversee safety, quality, and financial performance while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and coll...
1 week ago
$80K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to leading custom automation projects, managing schedules, budgets, and teams while ensuring alignment and communication with customers throughout the process from incepti...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Quality Engineer, CAPA & PMO
$127K - $190K *
Elevate quality standards by leading CAPA investigations and driving cross-functional collaboration. This role demands analytical rigor and effective communication to resolve complex quality issues wh...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager (BA Background)
$105K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee project management processes and collaborate closely with stakeholders. Enhance business operations by analyzing requirements and coordinating project objectives, while...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Director, Automation & Controls Engineering
$221K - $305K *
Take ownership of the automation and controls engineering team, driving the development of advanced manufacturing systems. Lead initiatives to enhance reliability, scalability, and autonomy in product...
1 week ago
Director, Business Intelligence
$150K - $200K *
Architect a global BI strategy to transform enterprise data into trusted reporting solutions. Lead cross-functional teams, establish standards, and drive innovation in analytics to enhance decision-ma...
1 week ago
What does a Director of Operational Excellence do?
A Director of Operational Excellence leads initiatives to improve organizational performance, processes, quality, and efficiency. The role often includes setting improvement strategy, tracking KPIs, guiding transformation projects, and helping teams adopt sustainable ways of working.
What qualifications are commonly required for Director of Operational Excellence jobs?
Employers often seek a bachelor’s degree, extensive experience in operations or continuous improvement, and a record of leading cross-functional change. Lean or Six Sigma expertise, data analysis skills, and an advanced degree or relevant certification may be preferred.
How much do Director of Operational Excellence jobs pay?
Compensation varies by industry, location, company size, and role scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including senior operational excellence opportunities.
Which industries hire Directors of Operational Excellence?
Manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, financial services, retail, technology, and other industries hire these leaders to improve processes, manage transformation, and strengthen operational performance.
What career paths can follow this role?
Experienced Directors of Operational Excellence may advance to vice president of operations, chief operating officer, enterprise transformation executive, or other senior leadership positions.