Director, Clinical Operations

Position Summary

At STERIS, we are dedicated to creating a healthier and safer world through innovative healthcare and life science solutions. As industry experts in sterile processing, our teams process over 150 million instruments annually for our customers.
As the Director, Clinical Operations, you will oversee multiple onsite Customer engagements, driving performance, quality, and compliance across diverse healthcare environments. You’ll lead with vision and precision—ensuring production goals are met, contractual obligations are fulfilled, and every team member operates in alignment with the highest regulatory and industry standards, including those set by the Department of Health, TJC, DNV, OSHA, CDC, AAMI, and AORN. With a strong focus on operational integrity, training, and team development, you’ll provide hands-on support and strategic direction to sterile processing department leaders and staff—ensuring every instrument, every process, and every outcome supports safe, efficient, and exceptional patient care.
This is an onsite role based in Chicago, IL. 

What you'll do as a Director Clinical Operations:

•    Lead and inspire a high-performing leadership team across multiple healthcare sites, ensuring exceptional day-to-day service and delivery of all contracted outcomes and company initiatives.
•    Collaborate closely with the Business Development team to define, communicate, and align Customer and STERIS expectations, resetting and reinforcing them as needed throughout the engagement.
•    Strategically assess and allocate resources across multiple departments and sites, ensuring staffing aligns with fluctuating demand and operational goals.
•    Cultivate a culture of employee engagement, safety, and retention through motivational leadership, consistent communication, and ongoing development.
•    Build strong, influential relationships with senior decision-makers within Customer organizations, including OR Managers, Directors, and VPs.
•    Conduct regular business reviews with Customers to evaluate KPIs, contractual performance, and service satisfaction.
•    Resolve Customer concerns efficiently by identifying root causes, developing measurable action plans, and mobilizing additional support when necessary.
•    Maintain a deep understanding of contract terms and ensure all services are delivered in alignment with scope and quality expectations.
•    Identify opportunities to expand services by nurturing strong Customer relationships and consistently exceeding deliverables.
•    Implement and manage Instrument Processing Division processes across multiple sites, with a focus on training, compliance, and continuous improvement.
•    Drive operational excellence by introducing new policies, procedures, services, and product conversions in collaboration with STERIS and Customer leadership.
•    Manage a large-scale P&L with precision, consistently identifying opportunities to reduce costs through staff development and process optimization.
•    Leverage non-conformance documentation to pinpoint deficiencies and lead the development of corrective action plans for sustained improvement.
•    Translate strategic business goals into actionable plans and ensure successful execution across all operational levels.

The Experience, Skills, and Abilities Needed:

•    12+ years of healthcare experience with 8+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or related industry; or 8+ years of healthcare experience with 6+ years of leadership experience and a bachelor’s degree.
•    CRCST or CBSPD Certification. If not certified at point of hire, certification must be obtained within 12 months of hire.
•    Must be able to be compliant with hospital/customer credentialing requirements