Director of Tissue Operations

Benefits

• Bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance

INNOVED INSTITUTE

780 Arthur Ave, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Director of Tissue Operations

Location: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Employment Type: Full-time, exempt

Work Arrangement: On-site

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

Position Overview

The Director of Tissue Operations leads the departments responsible for donor recovery, specimen processing, specimen imaging, specimen allocation, and specimen management. This role oversees the complete specimen life cycle and establishes the policies, procedures, staffing plans, and performance standards needed to deliver consistent quality and reliable service.

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Director manages three direct reports, two of whom lead larger teams. The Director provides guidance, develops leadership capabilities, and establishes accountability across these departments.

The ideal candidate brings extensive operational leadership experience within an anatomically based medical education services organization, strong communication and delegation skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments. The Director uses data to guide decisions and advances operational efficiency while meeting Innoved Institute’s standards and client expectations.

Key Objectives

• Provide leadership and accountability across all stages of the specimen life cycle.
• Develop a resource strategy that aligns staffing, capacity, and specimen availability with business needs.
• Establish and maintain high standards for quality, productivity, and service.
• Design and implement consistent training and development programs.
• Manage direct reports and coach emerging leaders.
• Use operational data to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and measure improvement.

Core Responsibilities

Operational Leadership and Strategy

• Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures that support consistent operations and best practices.
• Establish and execute an operational roadmap that supports program growth, service quality, and efficiency.
• Oversee departmental workloads, assignments, and daily and weekly workflows to meet key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Align staffing and resources with current demand and anticipated business needs.
• Identify and resolve process inefficiencies, workflow delays, and performance gaps.
• Lead regular team meetings to review priorities, performance, challenges, and upcoming needs.
• Communicate operational trends, issues, corrective actions, and improvement opportunities to senior management and relevant departments.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Conduct routine audits and quality reviews across the specimen life cycle.
• Ensure teams consistently meet established quality standards and Innoved Institute’s and clients’ expectations.
• Analyze audit findings and operational data to establish performance baselines, set expectations, and track improvements.
• Implement corrective actions to reduce errors, improve productivity, and prevent recurring issues.
• Engage team members in identifying problems and developing practical solutions.
• Use quality reviews and audit findings to guide training, coaching, and process improvements.

Team Management and Development

• Lead three direct reports and support the management of teams reporting through them.
• Manage personnel responsibilities for direct reports in coordination with human resources and senior management.
• Set clear expectations, delegate responsibilities, and hold team members accountable for results.
• Coach supervisors and emerging leaders to strengthen management capabilities.
• Develop and oversee training programs for new hires and existing employees.
• Ensure training is practical, engaging, and aligned with job responsibilities, quality standards, and KPI achievement.
• Monitor individual and team performance and address ongoing training and coaching needs.

Client and Partner Relationships

• Build and maintain productive relationships with clients and operational partners.
• Regularly assess and clarify client and partner needs, coordinating with internal teams to meet expectations.
• Support consistent service delivery through timely communication and effective issue resolution.

Financial and Administrative Oversight

• Review and verify the accuracy of invoices associated with departmental activities, including cremation services and tissue acquisition.
• Track outstanding credits and coordinate their appropriate application.
• Maintain accurate operational records and reporting to support planning, accountability, and decision-making.

Additional Responsibilities

This description outlines the primary responsibilities of the position. Senior management may assign additional duties based on business needs.