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Director, Organ Utilization

Job Details

Job Location

Bellevue HQ - Bellevue, WA

Position Type

Full Time

Salary Range

$140000.00 - $210000.00 Salary

Job Posting Date(s)

Start Date

11/19/2025

Description and Qualifications

The Director, Organ Utilization (Director), is responsible for overseeing the processes and teams that manage organ allocation, placement, and transportation to maximize organ use and increase the number of transplants facilitated by LifeCenter Northwest (LifeCenter). This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and a comprehensive understanding of organ donation systems, allocation practices, and regulatory compliance.

The Director develops and executes strategies to improve organ allocation strategy and organ utilization, collaborates closely with transplant programs and the surgical recovery team and ensures that allocation and placement processes are timely, compliant, and efficient. This position partners with internal leaders to align operational practices, data analysis, and communication strategies that support the organization’s mission and performance goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Leadership Responsibilities

+ Oversees daily operations of the organ utilization team, including allocation processes for both transplantation and research. Manages staff to ensure efficient workflows, timely communication, and compliance with organizational policies and regulatory standards.

+ Provides leadership for the organ utilization team, ensuring performance standards align with LifeCenter Northwest’s mission and key performance indicators (KPIs).

+ Develops and implements strategies to improve organ acceptance rates, reduce non-use, and streamline placement workflows.

+ Collaborates with the Organ Utilization team to align performance initiatives, data accuracy, training, and communication strategies that advance utilization outcomes.

+ Partners with transplant centers, surgical recovery teams, and internal clinical staff to enhance placement coordination and optimize allocation outcomes.

+ Works with Quality and Regulatory Affairs (QRA) and Business Intelligence (BI) teams to evaluate utilization trends, monitor performance metrics, and identify opportunities for system improvement.

+ Supports the development and implementation of the Organ Utilization strategic plan, ensuring initiatives are aligned with organizational goals.

+ Serves as a thought leader in emerging practices related to allocation policy and utilization improvement.

+ Participates in the annual budget process, providing administrative and fiscal oversight of departmental budgets.

+ Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organ utilization function.

+ Mentors and develops the manager(s) and lead staff, ensuring effective delegation, alignment, and performance management.

+ Collaborate with extended senior leadership to develop and execute initiatives aimed at enhancing organ utilization efficiency and transplant outcomes.

+ Oversee the development and implementation of protocols and best practices to maximize the utilization of organs for transplantation.

+ Collaborate with transplant teams and other stakeholders to ensure timely and appropriate allocation of organs, adhering to regulatory standards and ethical guidelines.

+ Serves as a subject matter expert and collaborative partner to the Organ Utilization team and transplant centers, supporting communication, alignment, and process improvement initiatives that enhance organ placement and utilization outcomes.

+ Act as a point of contact for all communications, complaints, and inquiries from transplant centers and organ preservation partners regarding organ. Take proactive measures to address and resolve issues promptly and optimize utilization outcomes.

+ Collaborates with ODS Directors to develop and implement the clinical operations strategic plan and ensure that initiatives are carried out to achieve KPIs and donation and transplant rate goals.

+ Works in concert with the Manager(s), Surgical Recovery, Surgical Organ Recovery Specialists and Recovery Surgeons to increase organ utilization.

+ Ensures strict adherence to regulatory standards and guidelines governing organ allocation

+ Implements quality assurance measures to maintain high standards of quality and safety in all aspects of organ utilization and surgical organ recovery and perfusion.

Employee Development and Coaching

+ Provides comprehensive coaching and mentoring to staff members to enhance their professional development and performance, fostering a supportive and motivating work environment.

+ Engages with staff to identify their strengths, areas for growth, and career aspirations, and develop individualized plans to support their growth and advancement within the organization.

+ Creates opportunities for skill-building, training, and learning experiences to empower staff members to reach their full potential and contribute effectively to LifeCenter Northwest's mission.

+ Fosters a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and mutual respect among staff members, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

+ Leads by example, demonstrating a commitment to excellence, integrity, and professional growth, and inspiring staff members to uphold these values in their work.

+ Encourages open communication and transparency, actively listening to staff feedback and addressing any concerns or challenges in a timely and constructive manner.

+ Recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of staff members, reinforcing a culture of appreciation and recognition within the organization.

Supervision

+ This position is accountable for the direction and strategy for assigned department(s) and responsible for the direct oversight of the leadership for that team. As a result of responsibilities and expertise, will provide direction to various individuals within the department. This position is a member of the extended senior leadership team of LifeCenter Northwest and has influence interdepartmentally as well as cross functionally.

Other Responsibilities

+ Actively participates in Clinical Advisory Committee meetings.

+ Leads review and analysis of OPTN policy proposals and advises extended senior leadership on transplant center impact.

+ Collaborates with Finance department to develop and maintain a responsible financial strategy for utilization department.

+ Engages in activities and initiatives with donation and transplantation professional associations such as AOPO, OPTN, etc.

+ Maintains current knowledge of the donation and transplantation industry.

+ Participates in professional development activities to keep current with trends and practices in donation, transplantation and heath care.

+ Performs other related duties as required by the needs of the company and the senior leadership team.

+ Leads and actively participates in employee committees and events.

+ Complies with applicable laws, regulations, and LifeCenter policies and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

+ In-depth understanding of organ allocation, utilization processes, and transplant system coordination.

+ Proficiency in data interpretation, performance improvement, and outcome tracking.

+ Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to influence and collaborate across disciplines.

+ Proven ability to lead teams through change and build cross-functional alignment.

+ Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving ability in a clinical or operational environment.

BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee in this position must uphold the core values of LifeCenter; these include:

+ Integrity : We are trustworthy, reliable, respectful, and accountable.

+ Collaboration : We work in partnership with others, seeking to understand and be understood, and finding common ground and shared goals to build upon together.

+ Courage : We take personal responsibility and face challenges head-on.

+ Service : Through professionalism and dedication, we honor our commitment to serve others and our obligation to be good stewards of the gift of life.

Physical Activities/Requirements

+ This position requires on-call responsibilities and the availability to travel within and outside the LifeCenter donor service area.

+ This position requires the ability to effectively operate phones, computers, and other office equipment.

+ The individual must have the ability to communicate clearly using the English language to accurately convey information and be able to hear at normal speaking levels both in person and over the phone.

+ Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

+ Generally, working conditions do not require exposure to hazardous materials nor extremes in health and safety hazards. Work is normally performed in an office or hospital setting as well as other business environments.

+ This position is required to follow hospital immunization, health screening, and background check requirements. Immunizations and tests will be provided by LifeCenter as required.

+ The employee is required to move up to 25 pounds with or without assistance.

ANTICIPATED TIME COMMITMENT

+ This position requires on-call availability, night, weekend work, holidays, and may have to work extended shifts. Some duties are required to be completed outside of call schedule.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & JOB REQUIREMENTS

+ Background in nursing, clinical operations, OPO or transplant program leadership, or other advanced healthcare practitioner roles strongly preferred.

+ Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree strongly preferred.

+ Eight years of relevant experience in organ donation, preferably with a focus on organ allocation, including at least five years of leadership experience.

+ Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or applicable medical or religious exemption will be required as a condition of employment upon offer.

Benefits and Compensation

LifeCenter Northwest offers medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, long-term disability insurance, and travel accident insurance. Employees have the option of enrolling in the following supplemental or voluntary plans: life insurance, short-term disability, accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness coverage and pet insurance. Employees enrolled in our 403(b) program will receive an employer match of up to 7% after one year, employees are auto enrolled at 3% and may change their enrollment at any time. LifeCenter encourages all employees to find balance and well-being and provides all employees access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and provides a quarterly Wellness Reimbursement. Employees enjoy paid holidays throughout the calendar year and earn 119 hours of PTO annually (to start) as well as Health Time Off hours that is earned 1 hour per 30 worked, paid living donor leave, two weeks paid jury duty leave after 6 months of service, and three weeks of paid parental leave after one year of service is complete. A comprehensive review of benefits can be found at https://lcnw.org/about/employment-opportunities/.

The pay range for this role is provided above. Where a candidate’s compensation falls within this range is based on several bona fide factors such as experience, tenure, and other specialized knowledge. LifeCenter Northwest is committed to providing its employees equitable and competitive compensation.

This position is eligible for additional compensation to the base pay rate in the form of the Management Incentive Compensation Program.

LifeCenter Northwest is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.