Director, Flying Eye Hospital

JOB SUMMARY 

The Director, Flying Eye Hospital is responsible for the operational leadership and management of the Flying Eye Hospital, ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of all Flying Eye Hospital clinical training projects, Goodwill Tours, and special initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Director, Flying Eye Hospital Strategy & Partnerships, the Director translates the Board-approved Flying Eye Hospital Strategy into annual operating plans and leads the execution of all Flying Eye Hospital activities through an integrated, multidisciplinary leadership team.

The Director provides oversight of the Flying Eye Hospital's clinical, program management, and operational functions. The position is accountable for operational excellence across all Flying Eye Hospital activities, including project implementation, aircraft and hospital readiness, resource management, financial stewardship, and organizational performance. Working in close partnership with Aircraft Operations, Clinical Services, Global Programs, Development, Communications, Finance, P&C, and Orbis Country Offices, the Director ensures that each Flying Eye Hospital project is delivered in alignment with Orbis policies, clinical standards and host-country requirements.

The Director serves as the senior operational representative for the Flying Eye Hospital during project implementation and supports the Senior Director in achieving the strategic objectives and impact of the Flying Eye Hospital projects.

This position requires extensive international travel of up to 70% of the time.

REPORTING & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Director, Flying Eye Hospital reports directly to the Senior Director, Flying Eye Hospital Strategy & Partnerships.

The Director provides direct leadership and performance management for:

• Associate Director, Clinical Services
• Associate Director, Nursing
• Senior Program Manager, Flying Eye Hospital
• Senior Operations Manager, Flying Eye Hospital

The Director leads the Flying Eye Hospital Management Team, ensuring effective coordination and integration across clinical services, program delivery, logistics, finance, communications, and aircraft operations to achieve the Flying Eye Hospital's operational objectives.

The Director works in close collaboration with the Vice President, Clinical Services & Technologies; Director of Aircraft Operations; Director Clinical Training; VP Cybersight; Country Directors; and colleagues across Development, Global Programs, Communications & Marketing, Finance, P&C, and other Orbis departments. The Director also maintains productive working relationships with partner hospitals, ministries of health, civil aviation authorities, volunteer faculty, academic institutions, donors, and other external stakeholders to support the successful delivery of Flying Eye Hospital activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Operational Leadership & Organizational Performance

• Provide executive leadership for the operational delivery of the Flying Eye Hospital, ensuring all clinical training projects, Goodwill Tours and special initiatives are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved plans.
• Translate the Board-approved Flying Eye Hospital Strategy into annual operating plan that supports organizational goals.
• Lead the Flying Eye Hospital Management Team, fostering collaboration, and accountability.
• Establish and monitor operational performance indicators, ensuring timely reporting of organizational performance, operational risks, and implementation progress to the Senior Director.
• Ensure effective coordination between Flying Eye Hospital leadership, Aircraft Operations, Clinical Services, Global Programs, Development, Communications, Finance, P&C, and Country Offices.
• Provide executive decision-making during project implementation, resolving operational issues and balancing competing priorities to ensure successful project delivery.
• Promote a culture of operational excellence, accountability, innovation, and service consistent with Orbis's mission and values.

Program Delivery & Operational Integration

• Direct the implementation of the annual Flying Eye Hospital operating schedule, ensuring all projects, Goodwill Tours and special initiatives are executed in accordance with approved objectives, timelines, and budgets.
• Oversee organizational readiness for each Flying Eye Hospital deployment, ensuring personnel, equipment, supplies, and operational processes are fully prepared.
• Ensure effective coordination with partner institutions, ministries of health, airport authorities, and other stakeholders to support successful implementation.
• Monitor implementation progress across the Flying Eye Hospital portfolio and intervene where necessary to maintain quality, timelines, and organizational priorities.
• Ensure lessons learned from project implementation are incorporated into future operational planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

Clinical & Hospital Operations Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of Flying Eye Hospital clinical operations, ensuring that operational systems effectively support the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care and clinical education.
• Promote compliance with Quad A accreditation requirements, infection prevention standards and patient safety requirements.
• Ensure organizational systems are in place to support quality improvement, operational audits, incident management, and continuous monitoring of operational performance.
• Support a culture of patient safety, learning, and accountability.

Financial Stewardship & Resource Management

• Manage implementation of the annual Flying Eye Hospital operating budget.
• Monitor operational expenditures and financial performance, working closely with Finance and the Senior Director to ensure compliance with organizational policies.
• Ensure appropriate management of Flying Eye Hospital assets, medical equipment, inventory, and operational infrastructure.
• Ensure operational compliance with donor requirements, procurement policies, gifts-in-kind (GIK) procedures, and financial controls.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management to the Flying Eye Hospital senior leadership team, fostering a high-performing organizational culture.
• Establish clear objectives, accountability measures, and professional development plans for direct reports.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams operating in diverse international environments.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, recruitment, and talent development in partnership with the Senior Director and P&C.
• Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position as assigned by the Senior Director, Flying Eye Hospital Strategy & Partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Healthcare Management, Public Health, International Development, or related field or relevant experience.
• Minimum of 7years’ leadership experience in global health, international program management, or healthcare systems strengthening.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary international teams.
• Strong diplomacy, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization at high-level external engagements.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent communicator with strong English written and oral communications skills.
• In spiring leader who fosters collaboration and professional growth.
• Skilled diplomat capable of engaging with high-level partners and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to details and the ability to manage a range of tasks simultaneously.
• Cultural sophistication with ability to inspire international colleagues.

ORBIS VALUES & COMPETENCIES

At Orbis, our values and competencies are central to how we work and grow, both as individuals and as a global organization. These expectations apply to all employees and help ensure that we are aligned in our mission and impact.

Our Values in Action: We are guided by five values: Accountability, Commitment, Innovation, Integrity, and Equity. These values reflect how we engage with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. We expect everyone at Orbis to model these values in daily decisions and behaviors.

Our Competencies in Action: These describe the key skills and behaviors needed to succeed at Orbis. They are used in performance discussions and to support career development across roles.

Competencies

Application

Core

All Employees

People Managers

All roles supervising at least one Orbis employee

Leaders

All roles Grade 24 of higher