Leads enterprise high-reliability and patient-safety strategies across clinical and operational settings. Directs HRO framework deployment, safety culture initiatives, leadership coaching, simulation-based training, incident reporting, risk analysis, governance, KPI development, and executive reporting. Supervises safety, reliability, and analytics teams while aligning practices with regulatory standards such as Joint Commission requirements.
Job Summary
The Sr Director of High Reliability leads organization-wide strategies to eliminate preventable errors, foster a robust safety culture, and embed high-reliability organization (HRO) principles across complex operational and clinical settings. This role directs the design, execution, and continuous improvement of the organization’s high-reliability framework. Collaborating closely with executive, clinical, and operational leaders, the Director deploys safety behaviors, analyzes operational risk, and drives a transparent culture of continuous learning toward a target of zero preventable harm.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Strategy & Framework Deployment
- Lead the development, execution, and continuous alignment of a system-wide high-reliability and safety strategy.
- Embed core high-reliability principles (preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify, sensitivity to operations, commitment to resilience, and deference to expertise) into daily operational routines, huddles, and leadership rounding.
- Ensure alignment between HRO strategies, clinical operations, and regulatory oversight (e.g., Joint Commission standards).
Culture of Safety & Leadership Coaching
- Champion a transparent, non-punitive culture of safety and Just Culture that encourages open incident reporting and psychological safety.
- Design simulation-based training programs and coach frontline managers, physician leaders, and executive leadership on human factors science, high-reliability behaviors, and reliable error-prevention tools.
- Drive executive and management engagement in structured safety behaviors (e.g., tiered huddles, visual management boards, "Stop the Line" protocols).
- Develop all educational material related to HRO principals and operationalizing HRO across the enterprise.
Team Leadership & Governance
- Directly supervise, mentor, and build high-performing teams of safety specialists, HRO practice coaches, and clinical/operational data analysts.
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and report reliable progress metrics to executive leadership, clinical councils, and the Board of Directors.
Position Requirements & Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration (MHA), Business Administration (MBA), or a related technical/engineering field required.
- 5 to 7 years of progressive leadership experience in patient safety, quality improvement, or operational reliability. Demonstrated experience leading direct teams as well as matrixed multidisciplinary projects.
- Deep knowledge of high-reliability principles, human factors engineering, statistical process control, and regulatory compliance (e.g., Joint Commission standards).
- Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS), Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), or Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt preferred
Core Competencies
- High-Reliability Science: Advanced knowledge of human factors engineering, error proofing, and error-prevention techniques.
- Influential Leadership: Ability to inspire culture change and build consensus across multidisciplinary executive and clinical teams.
- Data Analysis & Synthesis: Proficiency in translating complex safety data into actionable improvement plans and executive dashboard reporting.
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