Manager, Surgical Services

Manager, Surgical Services

Join LifeLink — Join a Life Saving Team!

About LifeLink More than four decades ago, a visionary group of innovators, led by renowned nephrologist Dr. Dana Shires, made a life-changing commitment—to save lives through organ and tissue donation. From that bold beginning, LifeLink Foundation was established – founded with heart, purpose, and a mission that still guides us today.

What started as a nonprofit with big dreams has grown into a vision-driven organization of more than 700 dedicated professionals across west-central Florida, Georgia, parts of South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

At LifeLink, we are united by our mission: To honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.

Our vision remains clear: To maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients.

We are grounded in the values that shape our work and culture—Compassion. Excellence. Legacy. People. Quality.

If you're inspired by purpose, driven by impact, and ready to help save and heal lives, LifeLink is the place for you.

What You'll Do

As a Manager, Surgical Services, you will directly contribute to LifeLink's life-saving mission. The Manager of Surgical Services ("Manager") supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of LifeLink Foundation, Inc. ("LifeLink") by providing leadership, operational oversight, and strategic direction for the organization's surgical services program, including organ recovery, preservation, perfusion, packaging, and logistics. The Manager is a skilled clinical professional responsible for fostering a culture of technical excellence, high reliability, continuous learning, and professional growth by ensuring surgical staff maintain the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to maximize donation and transplant outcomes. The Manager provides oversight of LifeLink's surgical initiatives, ensuring that all functions align with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and performance standards; ensuring that donated organs and tissues are recovered in a manner that maximizes their potential for transplantation, therapy, research, or education. This role establishes and maintains surgical standards, workflows, documentation expectations, and competency systems across all surgical recovery activities. Additionally, the Manager of Surgical Services collaborates with division leadership and cross-functional partners to ensure consistent readiness for audits and surveys, ongoing compliance, and continuous improvement through QAPI-aligned practices. This position is also responsible for overseeing the maintenance of inventory and equipment.

Key Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional excellence aligned with LifeLink's mission, vision, and values; model high standards of professional conduct and leadership presence in high-acuity surgical environments.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the surgical services program; establish program priorities, standards, and operating systems to achieve consistent recovery performance, preservation practices, and logistical excellence in alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the surgical program internally and externally; communicate initiatives, performance, and progress on delegated priorities; support organizational initiatives, research opportunities, and strategic planning related to surgical services.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable regulatory and accrediting standards; partner with Quality and division leadership to maintain audit readiness, documentation standards, and corrective action planning.
• Establish and maintain documentation and reporting standards to ensure accuracy, timeliness, traceability, and compliance, including chain-of-custody requirements.
• Lead clinical quality and performance improvement through QAPI participation, metric monitoring, and case debriefs; identify trends, drive sustained improvements, and report program outcomes to leadership on a defined cadence.
• Investigate adverse events, deviations, and complications related to surgical recovery and preservation/perfusion activities; lead or support root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Establish and standardize surgical standards and workflows (sterile technique, instrumentation, infection prevention, preservation methods, equipment use, perfusion-related support, and recovery logistics) and integrate best practices through training and competency validation.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance during organ recovery via direct observation as appropriate; provide real-time coaching and structured post-case feedback to reinforce standards and continuous improvement.
• Design and oversee the surgical training and competency system, including needs assessment, onboarding, annual competencies, continuing education, and role-appropriate certification expectations.
• Oversee the preceptor program and staff development activities; develop and maintain education content and deliver presentations/workshops as appropriate for internal and external audiences.
• Lead talent management for the surgical team in collaboration with leadership (recruitment, orientation, training, competency assessment, coaching, performance evaluation, and corrective feedback); maintain availability to support escalated operational issues.
• Develop staffing schedules, on-call coverage, and resource allocation plans to meet operational requirements and service-level expectations.
• Maintain inventory and storage controls for surgical supplies, preservation solutions/media, additives, and equipment; ensure appropriate handling and environmental conditions.
• Ensure readiness and maintenance of surgical and machine perfusion equipment (as applicable); evaluate upgrade needs and provide recommendations for capital planning and procurement.
• Manage external resources and vendors to ensure performance, compliance, and fiscal responsibility; manage delegated budget and resources and provide input into staffing models and operational planning.
• Serve as liaison with hospital OR teams, transplant programs, medical examiners, and other partners to support coordinated, efficient recovery operations; provide stakeholder education on recovery processes, preservation, and perfusion-related technologies as applicable.
• Fulfill additional individual and departmental directives, obligations, and responsibilities as assigned.

Who You Are

• Passionate about helping others and making a difference
• Aligned with LifeLink's core values of Compassion, Excellence, Legacy, People, and Quality
• Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP) with at least five (5) years of progressive experience in surgical services, organ recovery, transplant support services, or closely related perioperative clinical operations.
• Associate degree in a clinical discipline or equivalent combination of education and directly related experience. Preferred, bachelor's degree in nursing, Surgical Technology, Allied Health, Health Administration, or a related field.
• Four years of experience as a Surgery center, hospital operating or ICU management or experience in material management or other positions with similar responsibilities preferred. Required previous supervisory experience and proven leadership skills.
• Advanced technical, organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Current valid state driver license with a good driving record.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; May require lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling supplies and equipment consistent with operational needs (reasonable accommodations as applicable).

Working Conditions

High levels of stress due to the emotional and physical demands of the position. Work independently and manage multiple competing priorities in a dynamic, time-sensitive environment. Prolonged periods of sitting and standing required; frequent walking within clinical and office environments. May be required to enter operating rooms and clinical settings, including exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other occupational hazards; must adhere to PPE and infection prevention requirements. Travel by automobile and, on occasion, by air to fulfill training, supervisory, vendor, or organizational responsibilities, as needed. Works business hours with flexibility to extend work outside of regular hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability as operational demands require. Work in a team-oriented and interactive environment requiring collaboration across departments and with external partners.

OSHA Risk Classification: High

Why LifeLink?

• Be part of an organization with a legacy of saving lives and giving hope
• Join a passionate and supportive team across Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico
• COMPANY PAID Medical, Dental, Disability & Life Insurance
• Generous COMPANY PAID Pension Plan for your Retirement
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days & Holidays
• Growth opportunities in a mission-driven, high-impact nonprofit
• Work with purpose, knowing your efforts directly touch lives

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion LifeLink is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.

Ready to Help Change Lives? Your next career move could be the most meaningful one yet.