Sr. Director, Mission Control Operations
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
The Senior Director, Mission Control Operations is a highly visible enterprise leadership role responsible for shaping and advancing the health system’s next-generation approach to patient flow, capacity management, and command center strategy. Reporting at the senior leadership level, this leader serves as the operational architect and strategic leader for Mission Control (MC), driving system-wide coordination across multiple hospitals and the entire care continuum within a complex academic health system environment. This role offers a unique opportunity for an experienced academic medical center leader to design and further refine an enterprise-wide model that directly influences access, quality, workforce sustainability, financial performance, and patient experience. The Senior Director will lead the continued evolution of Mission Control into a high-reliability operational hub that integrates real-time operational intelligence, predictive analytics, and multidisciplinary decision-making to optimize care delivery across the organization. Serving as the central operational integrator, the Senior Director partners closely with executive leadership, physician and nursing leaders, clinical operations, digital health, information technology, analytics, and performance improvement teams to ensure seamless coordination of patient movement, capacity utilization, and operational readiness. The role carries significant enterprise influence and accountability for advancing strategic initiatives that improve throughput, strengthen system resilience during periods of surge or disruption, and support organizational growth across the continuum of care. This position is ideally suited for a collaborative, data-driven healthcare operations executive who thrives in fast-paced, matrixed environments and brings deep experience leading large-scale operational transformation initiatives within sophisticated health systems or academic medical centers. The successful candidate will be energized by the opportunity to influence enterprise strategy, partner directly with executive stakeholders, and help define the future state of coordinated care operations. Key Responsibilities: Enterprise Leadership & Strategy • Develop and execute a comprehensive Mission Control strategy aligned with organizational priorities, growth initiatives, financial stewardship, and long-term operational transformation goals. • Serve as the operational leader for enterprise throughput and capacity management initiatives, ensuring alignment across inpatient, procedural, perioperative, emergency, and ambulatory operations. • Partner with executive leadership and Mission Control clinical leaders to establish strategic priorities and operational objectives that optimize patient access, flow, and system performance in both the immediate and long-term horizon. • Lead strategic planning efforts to scale Mission Control capabilities, including integration of predictive analytics, operational technologies, and advanced command center workflows. Operational Command & Performance Optimization • Provide oversight of daily Mission Control operations, ensuring efficient workflows, operational reliability, and effective use of real-time data to support enterprise decision-making. • Translate operational and clinical priorities into scalable workflows, technical requirements, and operational tools that enhance frontline decision support and situational awareness. • Lead enterprise escalation and surge management processes, providing operational coordination and executive-level visibility during periods of high census, constrained capacity, or operational disruption. • Establish and monitor operational, financial, and quality performance metrics to drive accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across the system. Process Improvement, Standardization & Change Leadership • Identify and lead large-scale operational improvement initiatives that enhance care coordination, reduce bottlenecks, improve throughput, and optimize resource utilization across the health system. • Drive standardization of key patient flow and capacity management processes while balancing the operational needs of individual campuses, service lines, and clinical programs. • Partner with clinical and service line leadership to develop data-informed strategies that optimize placement, transfers, and utilization across the enterprise. • Lead cross-functional change management efforts associated with new workflows, technologies, and operational redesign initiatives impacting Mission Control and related operational teams. People Leadership & Organizational Development • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of operational experts and professional staff within a complex, matrixed environment. • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning that supports both operational excellence and workforce engagement. • Oversee staffing models, operational policies, workforce planning, and professional development initiatives to support organizational growth and operational sustainability. Financial & Administrative Oversight • Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for Mission Control operations, ensuring alignment with organizational financial objectives and stewardship expectations. • Provide operational and financial analysis to support strategic investments, technology implementation, and business planning efforts. • Coordinate space planning, infrastructure, and operational resource allocation to support evolving Mission Control capabilities and enterprise operational priorities. Compliance, Governance & Executive Collaboration • Ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, quality, and organizational standards relevant to Mission Control and enterprise operations. • Represent Mission Control on executive and interdisciplinary committees as well as enterprise operational governance structures. • Build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to advance organizational priorities, support operational integration, and strengthen system-wide collaboration.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related area and eight or more years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of experience, education and training. Significant management experience in a complex healthcare organization. Thorough knowledge of health care delivery models, business and strategic planning, financial management, and organizational development. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with medical center leaders and external agencies. Ability to establish and utilize metrics to support operational and process improvement. Thorough knowledge of budget development, financial analysis, and reporting techniques. Advanced verbal and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and influence others. Ability to build and maintain a climate of trust and collaboration.