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Director Of Operational Excellence Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MHI

Director, Operational Excellence

Lake Mary, FL · On-site

Director of Operational Excellence Company Overview At Mitsubishi Power, we're not just building better clean energy technologies; we're architecting a better future. Our team is boldly redefining ...

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VP of Operational Excellence

Reston, VA

The VP of Operational Excellence will integrate and implement (across all business lines) Program ... direct responsibility for the execution and performance of programs and program portfolios * 7+ ...

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Director Of Operational Excellence information

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$34K

$107.7K

$179.5K

How much do director of operational excellence jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of operational excellence in the United States is $107,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Of Operational Excellence vs Operations Manager?

AspectDirector Of Operational ExcellenceOperations Manager
Primary FocusProcess improvement, strategic initiatives, organizational efficiencyDay-to-day operations, team management, project execution
Required CredentialsTypically bachelor's degree, certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvementUsually bachelor's degree, experience in operations, management certifications beneficial
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-departmental collaboration, executive-level meetingsSupervising teams, managing operational tasks, ensuring productivity

The Director Of Operational Excellence focuses on strategic process improvements and organizational efficiency, often working across departments and with executive leadership. In contrast, the Operations Manager handles daily operational activities, manages teams, and ensures smooth execution of projects. Both roles require related certifications and experience but differ mainly in scope and level of strategic involvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Of Operational Excellence, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Operational Excellence, you need expertise in process improvement methodologies (such as Lean, Six Sigma), business management, and a proven track record of leading transformation initiatives, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or engineering. Familiarity with process mapping tools, performance metrics systems, and certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt are commonly required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and communicate across all organizational levels are crucial soft skills. These capabilities are essential for driving sustainable operational improvements, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and achieving organizational goals.

How does a Director of Operational Excellence typically collaborate with other departments to drive process improvements?

A Director of Operational Excellence works closely with cross-functional teams such as IT, HR, finance, and production to identify inefficiencies and implement best practices. Regular meetings, workshops, and data-driven analysis sessions are common, allowing the Director to facilitate alignment and encourage a culture of continuous improvement. Effective collaboration often involves leading change management initiatives and ensuring all stakeholders are engaged and informed throughout the improvement process.

What does a Director of Operational Excellence do?

A Director of Operational Excellence is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives within an organization to enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality. They develop strategies, implement best practices, and lead cross-functional teams to optimize processes and reduce costs. Their role often includes overseeing performance metrics, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring alignment with business goals. By leveraging methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile, they help organizations achieve sustainable growth and operational success.
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What cities are hiring for Director Of Operational Excellence jobs? Cities with the most Director Of Operational Excellence job openings:
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Director Of Operational Excellence jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Operational Excellence job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,680 per year, or $51.8 per hour.
Director of Operational Excellence

Director of Operational Excellence

San Francisco SPCA

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$137K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
The Director of Operational Excellence leads Lean and process improvement initiatives across the organization, independently manages complex and strategically important operational projects from initiation through completion, and serves as a coach and resource for program leaders building efficiency and quality within their teams. This role proactively identifies operational risks and barriers, intervenes independently to keep work on track, and drives initiatives to measurable outcomes. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this role also maintains active oversight of the COO's full portfolio of strategic initiatives, monitors progress across departments, ensures accountability and follow-through, and anticipates where projects may stall or go off course before problems escalate. This role carries out and advances the priorities established by the Senior Executive Team, translating high-level direction into organized, measurable, and sustained operational progress.
Essential Duties and Functions:
Continuous Improvement & Lean Leadership
  • Lead and facilitate Lean and process improvement initiatives across departments, from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainability.
  • Independently manage large-scale improvement projects with high strategic, financial, or operational significance, ensuring timely delivery and measurable outcomes.
  • Serve as an accessible and proactive coach for program leaders, building knowledge, confidence, and capability in continuous improvement principles and practices.
  • Assess operational workflows across departments to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and improvement opportunities, and develop actionable recommendations.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement organization-wide by modeling best practices, sharing results, and creating repeatable frameworks and tools that teams can use independently.

Project Management & Execution
  • Plan, coordinate, and independently manage complex, cross-departmental operational projects, maintaining clear timelines, milestones, and accountability structures throughout.
  • Proactively identify project risks, dependencies, and potential points of failure before they escalate, and intervene independently to keep initiatives on track.
  • Develop and maintain project management tools, templates, and frameworks that improve execution consistency and visibility across the COO's portfolio.
  • Monitor active projects across departments, provide regular status updates to the COO, and escalate issues with recommended courses of action.
  • Partner with program leaders to define project scope, resource needs, and success metrics, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities from the outset.

COO Portfolio Oversight & Accountability
  • Maintain active visibility into the COO's full portfolio of strategic initiatives, tracking progress, dependencies, and outcomes across multiple departments and programs simultaneously.
  • Anticipate where initiatives may stall, lose momentum, or go off course, and proactively engage with program leaders to address barriers before they require COO escalation.
  • Assist in preparing materials for leadership meetings, board updates, and internal planning sessions, ensuring the COO is well-prepared and that relevant information is accurate and current.
  • Support goal-setting and progress monitoring against strategic plans, annual priorities, and department-level objectives and key results, maintaining tracking systems that provide reliable and actionable visibility.
  • Translate COO and Senior Executive Team priorities into organized, time-bound, and measurable work plans that operational teams can execute against.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships across departments, serving as a consistent and trusted resource for program leaders navigating operational challenges.
  • Act as a bridge between departments to surface misalignments, promote shared accountability, and ensure that cross-functional work is coordinated and progressing.
  • Represent the COO's priorities and expectations in working groups, project teams, and cross-departmental meetings, ensuring continuity and follow-through.
  • Communicate progress, risks, and recommendations clearly and concisely to audiences ranging from frontline managers to senior leadership.
  • Model collaborative, improvement-oriented behaviors that reinforce a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous learning across the organization.

Requirements
  • A Bachelor's degree in business, operations management, or a related field required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated business acumen will be considered.
  • 5+ years of experience in operations management, project management, or a related field, with demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
  • Formal training or certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or a comparable continuous improvement methodology strongly preferred; demonstrated hands-on experience applying these principles in an operational setting will be considered in lieu of formal certification.
  • Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the SF SPCA.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies, with a track record of applying them in operational settings.
  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to independently lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from initiation through completion.
  • Exceptional ability to identify operational risks and barriers proactively, and to intervene effectively without waiting for direction.
  • Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess workflows, interpret operational data, and develop actionable recommendations.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach, influence, and collaborate across all levels of the organization without direct supervisory authority.
  • High degree of organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Comfortable operating with autonomy while maintaining appropriate transparency and communication with senior leadership.
  • This is an onsite position that requires 5 days per week in person at our San Francisco Mission Campus.

Salary & Benefits
The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected range is $137,000 - $152,000.
Regular, full-time positions are eligible for a benefits package including:
  • Paid Time Off and Holiday pay
  • Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Long-term Disability Insurance
  • 401k Retirement Plan and contribution matching
  • Student debt relief program
  • Pre-tax Commuter Benefits
  • Generous Lifestyle Spending Account
  • Mental health and wellbeing support with Talkspace
  • Discounts on retail and pet supplies
  • Discounts on veterinary care at our SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital and Clinic

The SF SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The San Francisco SPCA is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.
Salary Description
$137,000 - $152,000

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