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Director Operational Excellence Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Executive Director-Pharmacy

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$125K - $166K/yr

Reporting to the System Executive Director of Pharmacy, this highly visible role serves as the ... Drive operational excellence through process improvement, quality initiatives, automation, and ...

The Portfolio Director will directly manage Associate Directors and Coordinators, providing ... Operational Excellence and Governance: * Own and manage the delivery organization for the portfolio ...

This position provides enterprise-level leadership with direct influence on operational excellence, innovation, and long-term growth. EPI Power, LLC ("EPI") is a licensed electrical contractor and ...

Your keen focus on safety, teambuilding, and operational excellence will help us succeed, open ... Direct and oversee operations related to production, distribution and foodservice. * Maintain a ...

Your keen focus on safety, teambuilding, and operational excellence will help us succeed, open ... Direct and oversee operations related to production, distribution and foodservice. * Maintain a ...

Your keen focus on safety, teambuilding, and operational excellence will help us succeed, open ... Direct and oversee operations related to production, distribution and foodservice. * Maintain a ...

Showing results 41-60

Director Operational Excellence information

See Iowa salary details

$31.9K

$101.1K

$168.6K

How much do director operational excellence jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for director operational excellence in Iowa is $101,140.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,900.00 and $127,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a director operational excellence?

A Director of Operational Excellence is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across an organization to enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality. They develop strategies, implement best practices, and foster a culture of operational excellence using methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and process optimization. Their role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, analyzing performance metrics, and identifying opportunities for improvement. By streamlining workflows and eliminating inefficiencies, they help the organization achieve cost savings and sustainable growth.

What are the main challenges a director operational excellence typically faces in the role?

Directors of Operational Excellence often encounter challenges such as breaking down organizational silos, managing resistance to change, and standardizing processes across diverse departments or regions. They must navigate complex stakeholder dynamics while implementing process improvements that may disrupt established habits and workflows. Success in this role requires balancing strategic vision with practical execution, ensuring improvements are sustainable and aligned with business goals. Strong leadership and the ability to influence at all levels of the organization are essential for overcoming these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the director operational excellence position, and why are they important?

To excel as a Director Operational Excellence, you need a strong background in process improvement, project management, and strategic leadership, often supported by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, along with certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, is highly valued. Exceptional communication, change management, and analytical thinking skills help professionals drive transformation and gain buy-in from cross-functional teams. These qualifications are critical for successfully leading operational initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, and business performance.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operational Excellence jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Operational Excellence jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Operational Excellence jobs in Iowa?

For Director Operational Excellence jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Operational Excellence jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Operational Excellence jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Director Operational Excellence jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Director Operational Excellence job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Operational Excellence job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,140 per year, or $48.6 per hour.

Executive Director-Pharmacy

UnityPoint Health

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$125K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


UnityPoint Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 361 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

270th of 891 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview
UnityPoint Health is seeking an experienced executive leader to serve as Executive Director, Pharmacy for the Des Moines and Fort Dodge markets. This leader will provide strategic and operational oversight for inpatient, outpatient, retail, outreach, and clinical pharmacy services across multiple locations, partnering closely with physicians, nursing leadership, and executive teams to advance pharmacy practice, operational excellence, financial stewardship, and patient care.
Reporting to the System Executive Director of Pharmacy, this highly visible role serves as the connection between enterprise pharmacy strategy and market operations, leading a diverse team while driving innovation, regulatory compliance, and collaboration across the Des Moines and Fort Dodge markets. The Executive Director will play a key role in creating an integrated "One Pharmacy" approach while supporting system-wide pharmacy initiatives.
Why UnityPoint Health?
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We're proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you're in. Here are just a few:
  • Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
  • Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
  • Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities
  • Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for pharmacy operations across the Des Moines and Fort Dodge markets, including inpatient, outpatient, retail, outreach, clinical pharmacy, and automation services.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop pharmacy leaders while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Partner with physicians, nursing leaders, and executive leadership to advance pharmacy practice, improve patient outcomes, and support organizational priorities.
  • Drive operational excellence through process improvement, quality initiatives, automation, and standardization across multiple pharmacy locations.
  • Oversee departmental financial performance, including budgeting, productivity, inventory management, and resource utilization.
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional practice standards.
  • Support implementation of enterprise pharmacy initiatives while balancing local operational priorities.
  • Build strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams to align pharmacy services with organizational strategic goals.
  • Champion innovation and identify opportunities to improve access, efficiency, and the patient experience.
  • Serve as a key contributor to strategic planning and the continued growth of pharmacy services across both markets.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy (B.S. Pharmacy) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) required.
  • Current pharmacist licensure (or eligibility for licensure) in Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin, as applicable.
  • Five years of management positions in hospital, outpatient or clinical environments
  • Demonstrated success leading complex pharmacy operations, including operational, clinical, and financial oversight.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience with strategic planning, process improvement, regulatory compliance, and change management.
  • Ability to lead large, complex projects while balancing operational priorities.
  • Knowledge of hospital pharmacy operations, regulatory requirements, and quality standards.
  • Master's degree (MBA or Business Administration), teaching/precepting experience, and 340B program experience are preferred.

What UnityPoint Health employees say

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About UnityPoint Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At UnityPoint Health, we provide care in nine regions throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. As the nation's fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, UnityPoint Health keeps people at the center of all we do. We are looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team. You'll find opportunities for every sized dream.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1995