Interim Director of Operating Room (OR) Services

Interim Director, Operating Room (OR) Services

Temporary Assignment (9–12 Months)

Location: Gillette Children's – St. Paul Hospital

Reports To: VP, Clinic & Hospital Operations and Chief Nurse Executive

Position Summary

Gillette Children's is seeking an accomplished and transformational Interim Director of Operating Room (OR) Services to lead a strategic 9–12 month engagement focused on stabilizing, evaluating, and optimizing perioperative services. This highly visible leadership role will provide objective assessment, operational direction, and change leadership to improve performance, strengthen accountability, enhance culture, and establish a sustainable future-state operating model for OR services.

The successful candidate will bring extensive perioperative leadership experience, a proven record of operational turnaround, and the ability to drive meaningful change through collaboration with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing leaders, and executive stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Assessment and Performance Improvement

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of perioperative operations, including throughput, scheduling practices, block utilization, staffing models, resource allocation, and financial performance.
• Identify operational gaps and implement rapid-cycle improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, utilization, and patient flow.
• Evaluate and strengthen block governance, policies, procedures, and accountability measures.
• Establish performance monitoring systems and operational standards aligned with organizational goals.
  
  

Culture, Engagement, and Leadership Effectiveness

• Assess team dynamics, engagement, communication, and accountability across surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing teams, and operational leaders.
• Identify and address cultural barriers impacting collaboration, performance, and patient care.
• Provide leadership coaching and real-time feedback to strengthen leadership effectiveness and accountability.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, teamwork, transparency, and continuous improvement.
  
  

Performance Management and Accountability

• Evaluate current performance management practices and organizational effectiveness.
• Partner with leaders to clarify expectations, address performance concerns, and reinforce accountability.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and clinical leadership to address behavioral, professionalism, and performance-related issues.
• Establish consistent approaches for performance evaluation and corrective action processes.
  
  

Standardization and Governance

• Develop and implement clear expectations and standards for:
• Staff roles and responsibilities
• Leadership accountability and behaviors
• Operational workflows and decision-making processes
• Partner with physician and anesthesia leadership to establish expectations for participation in operational improvement initiatives.
• Align governance structures and operating practices with industry best practices and organizational priorities.
  
  

Future-State Planning and Organizational Design

• Evaluate the current perioperative leadership structure and organizational model.
• Develop recommendations for:
• Leadership roles and reporting relationships
• Staffing models and workforce planning
• Governance and decision-making frameworks
• Create a sustainable roadmap to support long-term operational excellence beyond the interim assignment.
  
  

Key Deliverables

At the conclusion of the engagement, the Interim Director will provide:

Comprehensive Assessment Report

• Operational, cultural, financial, and organizational findings
• Key risks, opportunities, and recommendations
  
  

Standardized Expectations Framework

• Clearly defined expectations and accountability standards for staff and leaders
  
  

Performance Improvement Outcomes

• Documented improvements and implemented initiatives with measurable results
  
  

Future-State Organizational Recommendations

• Leadership structure, governance model, staffing recommendations, and strategic priorities
  
  

Leadership Transition Plan

• Recommendations to ensure continuity, sustainability, and successful transition to permanent leadership
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Progressive leadership experience in perioperative or operating room services within a complex healthcare system.
• Demonstrated success leading operational improvement, organizational transformation, and performance turnaround initiatives.
• Strong experience partnering with physicians and interdisciplinary clinical teams.
• Proven ability to manage change, coach leaders, resolve conflict, and drive accountability.
• Excellent analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to rapidly build credibility, trust, and influence across all levels of an organization.
  
  

Preferred

• Licensed patient care professional (RN, CRNA, or equivalent clinical background).
• Minimum of five years of relevant clinical experience.
• Experience in pediatric healthcare environments.
• Experience supporting individuals with disabilities and specialized patient populations.
  
  

Success Measures

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Improved OR efficiency, utilization, throughput, and operational performance metrics.
• Adoption of clear and sustainable standards for staff and leadership accountability.
• Measurable progress in addressing cultural and performance challenges.
• Delivery of a practical, actionable future-state organizational plan.
• Successful transition and sustainment strategy for long-term operational excellence.
  
  

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, visible leader who combines objective assessment with practical execution. They possess the courage to address difficult issues, the expertise to drive meaningful operational improvements, and the ability to build strong partnerships with clinical, operational, and executive stakeholders to achieve lasting results.