Strategic Operations Director

Location: New York, NY
Compensation: $170,000 - $190,000 base salary + annual bonus
Travel: 25%

In 2017, Shields established the Strategic Operations team to partner directly with the Executive Leadership Team in executing the company’s highest-priority initiatives. These efforts span corporate strategy, operational transformation, performance improvement, growth execution, business development, and new business innovation. Team members gain exposure to all aspects of the organization, combining executive-level engagement with hands-on responsibility for translating strategy into measurable results. The team has served as a pathway to leadership, with alumni advancing into senior roles across Strategy, Operations, Finance, and Executive Leadership. This role offers the opportunity to build on that legacy while helping shape Shields’ next phase of growth and innovation.

The Director of Strategic Operations serves as a senior leader responsible for driving strategic initiatives, operational excellence, and growth across Shields’ portfolio of health system specialty pharmacy partnerships. This role is ideal for individuals with experience as a Healthcare Consulting Engagement Manager, Healthcare Strategy Leader, Strategic Operations Leader, Transformation Leader, Management Consultant, or operations executive within a private equity-backed healthcare services organization seeking an opportunity to influence enterprise-level decision-making and organizational performance.

Leading a team of high-performing professionals, the Director will oversee complex cross-functional initiatives, deliver executive-level analyses and recommendations, and partner directly with senior leaders to drive exceptional clinical, operational, and financial outcomes. Functioning as an internal strategy and operations leader, this individual will identify growth opportunities, solve complex business challenges, and translate strategic priorities into measurable results across the organization.

This role is particularly well suited for professionals coming from healthcare consulting, management consulting, healthcare strategy, portfolio operations, business transformation, performance improvement, or private equity-backed healthcare organizations who are looking for the opportunity to move beyond recommendations and directly own execution. Success requires strong strategic thinking, structured problem solving, financial and operational acumen, executive presence, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a fast-paced, high-growth healthcare environment.

The ideal candidate is a highly analytical and resourceful leader who thrives in entrepreneurial settings, excels at managing ambiguity, and has a demonstrated track record of leading strategic initiatives that drive growth, value creation, operational excellence, and performance improvement.

• Serve as a key leader within the Strategic Operations team, driving growth, strategic execution, and organizational performance through both direct leadership and individual contributions.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of high-performing professionals responsible for supporting critical business initiatives across the organization.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of strategic and operational initiatives aligned with Shields' highest-priority objectives.
• Synthesize complex operational, financial, and market insights into clear, actionable recommendations for executive leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development.

Strategy, Operations & Performance Improvement

• Partner directly with Senior Vice Presidents and Regional Vice Presidents of Operations to drive strong financial, operational, and clinical outcomes across Shields' health system partnerships.
• Collaborate with operational leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute strategic objectives while ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Lead day-to-day strategy and operational execution for a portfolio of health system partnerships.
• Develop business cases, financial models, forecasts, and performance analyses to support executive decision-making.
• Drive high-impact initiatives focused on operational excellence, growth strategy, performance improvement, transformation, and value creation.
• Conduct analyses to identify opportunities for revenue growth, cost optimization, process improvement, and partnership expansion.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior operational leaders, providing strategic guidance and analytical support.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across Operations, Finance, Business Development, Clinical, Technology, Human Resources, and Executive Leadership teams.

Partnership & Stakeholder Management

• Own and cultivate relationships with senior health system executives and key external stakeholders.
• Act as a strategic liaison between Shields leadership and health system partners to ensure alignment on priorities and objectives.
• Support executive presentations, partnership reviews, business planning sessions, and strategic steering committees.
• Translate complex analyses into compelling executive-level presentations and recommendations.

Growth & Innovation

• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new business opportunities, ancillary services, operational enhancements, and growth initiatives that increase partnership value.
• Support strategic planning, business development, market expansion, and innovation efforts across the organization.
• Evaluate market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging healthcare opportunities to inform strategic decision-making.

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA, MHA, MPH, or other advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of professional experience with a demonstrated track record of strategic and operational leadership within healthcare.
• Experience in one or more of the following environments strongly preferred:
  • Healthcare Consulting Firms (Engagement Manager, Manager, Project Leader, Senior Manager, Principal, or equivalent roles)
  • Private Equity-Backed Healthcare Services Organizations
  • Corporate Strategy, Strategic Operations, Transformation, Portfolio Operations, or Performance Improvement Functions
  • Health Systems, Specialty Pharmacy, Provider Services, Population Health, Revenue Cycle, or Healthcare Services Organizations
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy development through implementation and performance measurement.
• Proven ability to drive operational excellence, business transformation, growth strategy, and performance improvement initiatives in complex healthcare environments.
• Experience developing and presenting strategic recommendations, performance updates, and business insights to executive leadership teams and Board-level audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, including financial modeling, scenario analysis, business case development, forecasting, and executive-level presentations.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to solve complex business problems using data-driven approaches.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and leading through influence in highly matrixed organizations.
• Proven self-starter with the ability to operate independently, manage ambiguity, and deliver results in fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives and workstreams simultaneously.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Healthcare industry experience strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% to engage with health system executives, operational leaders, pharmacists, clinicians, and partnership stakeholders.

• Partner directly with Executive Leadership on the company's most important strategic priorities.
• Lead high-impact initiatives that drive growth, operational excellence, and transformative outcomes across a national network of health system partnerships.
• Gain broad exposure to corporate strategy, healthcare operations, business development, and executive decision-making.
• Join a proven leadership pipeline that has developed future leaders across Strategy, Operations, Finance, and Executive Leadership.
• Help shape the future of healthcare through innovative specialty pharmacy solutions that improve patient outcomes and strengthen health system partnerships.