1

Surgery Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Partner with the Surgical Director in a co-management model to lead transplant selection and align medical/surgical quality and practice initiatives in the heart replacement therapy space. * Academic ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Surgery Director information

See salary details

$57.5K

$123.5K

$308.5K

How much do surgery director jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for surgery director in the United States is $123,515.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,500.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Surgery Director, you need comprehensive surgical and medical knowledge, proven leadership experience, and an advanced degree (MD or DO), often with board certification in a surgical specialty. Familiarity with hospital management software, electronic health records (EHRs), and compliance systems such as Joint Commission standards is essential. Outstanding organizational, decision-making, and communication skills set top performers apart in managing surgical teams and coordinating patient care. These skills and qualifications ensure efficient surgical operations, high-quality patient outcomes, and regulatory compliance in a complex healthcare environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a Surgery Director in managing surgical teams?

A Surgery Director often encounters challenges such as balancing administrative duties with clinical oversight, ensuring effective communication among multidisciplinary team members, and maintaining high standards of patient safety and care. Coordinating schedules, managing resources, and addressing conflicts within the team are also frequent hurdles. Successful Surgery Directors use strong leadership and organizational skills to foster collaboration and continuously improve surgical outcomes, while adapting to regulatory changes and technological advancements.

What are Surgery Directors?

Surgery Directors are senior medical professionals responsible for overseeing the administrative and clinical operations of surgical departments within hospitals or healthcare organizations. They manage surgical staff, coordinate patient care processes, ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, and help develop departmental policies. Surgery Directors also play a role in budgeting, resource allocation, and strategic planning to improve surgical services. They often collaborate with other medical leaders to advance patient outcomes and maintain accreditation standards.

What is the difference between Surgery Director vs Surgical Program Manager?

AspectSurgery DirectorSurgical Program Manager
CredentialsMedical degree, surgical residency, leadership experienceBachelor's or master's in healthcare administration or related field, experience in surgical settings
Work EnvironmentHospital or surgical center executive leadershipOperational management within surgical departments or programs
Employer & IndustryHospitals, health systems, surgical centersHospitals, clinics, healthcare organizations
Primary FocusStrategic leadership, policy development, overall surgical program oversightProgram coordination, staff management, process improvement

The Surgery Director typically holds a medical degree and leads surgical departments at an executive level, focusing on strategy and policy. In contrast, the Surgical Program Manager manages daily operations and staff within surgical programs, often with a healthcare administration background. Both roles are vital in surgical settings but differ in scope and responsibilities.

More about Surgery Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Surgery Director jobs? Cities with the most Surgery Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Surgery jobs? The most popular types of Surgery jobs are:
What states have the most Surgery Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Surgery Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Surgery Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,515 per year, or $59.4 per hour.
Surgery-Surgical Director-Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support

Surgery-Surgical Director-Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support

Lewis Katz School of Medicine

Philadelphia, PA โ€ข On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Summary of Position

Temple Health is seeking an accomplished and visionary cardiac surgeon to serve as Surgical Director of Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support. This is a unique opportunity to lead and further build a high-impact, mission-driven program within a dynamic academic health system serving one of the most diverse patient populations in the region.

The Surgical Director will play a central role in shaping the future of cardiac surgical care at Temple Health, building upon a strong platform to grow heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and complex cardiac surgery. The program is well-positioned for expansion, offering the incoming leader the ability to drive strategy, enhance clinical capacity, and elevate regional and national prominence.

As a quaternary medical center and destination cardiac program, Temple is committed to excellence in advanced heart failure therapies, supported by certification from The Joint Commission and CMS. The program is among the oldest in Philadelphia, with more than 1,000 heart transplants performed, over 120 thoracic transplants annually, and more than 80 mechanical circulatory support devices implanted each year. Candidates will join a high-performing team of eight cardiac surgeons, including six transplant surgeons, and will perform and oversee heart transplantation, including donation after circulatory death protocols, durable and temporary VAD implantation, and complex cardiac surgical procedures within a robust clinical and research environment.

Working in close collaboration with the Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery and Chair of Surgery, this individual will lead a multidisciplinary team committed to clinical excellence, innovation, and equitable care delivery. The role offers the opportunity to develop top-tier surgical talent, expand referral networks, and implement forward-thinking clinical and operational initiatives.

Temple Health is a progressive and innovative organization that consistently receives national and regional accolades for excellence in healthcare. Temple Health offers a highly collaborative environment with strong institutional support for programmatic growth, clinical research, and academic advancement. The Surgical Director will have the resources and infrastructure to advance cutting-edge therapies, participate in translational research, and contribute meaningfully to the education and mentorship of trainees.

Ideal candidates will bring a track record of clinical excellence in cardiac surgery and heart transplantation, experience building or growing programs, and a passion for leadership in an academic setting. This is an exceptional opportunity for a driven leader to make a lasting impact on a rapidly evolving program while advancing Temple Health's mission of providing accessible, high-quality care to the communities it serves.

Candidate Minimum Qualifications

  • MD or DO degree from an accredited institution
  • Board Certified in Thoracic Surgery (or equivalent) with eligibility for unrestricted medical licensure in Pennsylvania
  • Demonstrated expertise in adult cardiac surgery, including complex cardiac procedures
  • Significant experience in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support (e.g., LVAD, ECMO)
  • Eligibility for appointment at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University at the Associate Professor or Professor level
  • Proven track record of strong clinical outcomes and commitment to quality and patient safety
  • Experience working within a multidisciplinary, team-based care model (cardiology, heart failure, critical care, anesthesia)
  • Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic medical center or high-volume cardiac surgery program
  • Experience with program development, growth initiatives, or service line expansion
  • Commitment to teaching, mentorship, and academic advancement
  • Participation in clinical research, quality improvement, or innovation initiatives
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders

Faculty Appointment, Benefits/Compensation

Annual compensation shall be determined based on the selected individual's experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, there is a comprehensive suite of benefits-including a generous 403b retirement match, 457b, health, dental, vision, life, malpractice, tuition remission, and CME, among others.

We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff. We believe that diversity (of experiences, thought, etc.) enriches our learning environment and strengthens our academic community. We encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives will enhance our commitment to these values.

About Temple Health: Temple Health is a major Philadelphia-based academic health system that is driving medical advances through clinical innovation, pioneering research and world-class education. The health system's 1,550+ physicians and scientists share a common mission of bringing tomorrow's treatments to the bedside today, helping them achieve outcomes once thought impossible.

Temple Health is an educational partner with theย Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, providing medical education to the next generation of physicians and biomedical scientists.

About Philadelphia: Located in the heart of Philadelphia, TUHS provides access to a diverse and culturally rich city with thriving neighborhoods, arts, and cuisine.

"Philadelphia is a city of firsts: first hospital, first library, first medical school. It's a place where big ideas come to life."ย - Alexander Hamilton

ย 

Procedure for Candidacy:

To be considered for this position, you must complete an online application.

Application materials should include:ย a curriculum vitae, a personal statement stating your qualifications, professional goals and research/teaching interests, and a statement describing working effectively in an urban environment is strongly encouraged.

Please address your application to:ย  Yoshiya Toyoda, MD, PhD, William Maul Measey Professor of Surgery, Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, C/O Michael R. Lester, Assistant Dean, Physician/Faculty Recruitment & Retention, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Email: michael.lester@tuhs.temple.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity StatementTemple University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.

Employment Type: OTHER