JOB SUMMARY
The Director, Flying Eye Hospital (FEH) is responsible for the operational leadership and management of the FEH, ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of all FEH clinical training projects, Goodwill Tours, and special initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Director, FEH Strategy & Partnerships, the Director translates the Board-approved FEH Strategy into annual operating plans and leads the execution of all FEH activities through an integrated, multidisciplinary leadership team.
The Director provides oversight of the FEH’s clinical, program management, and operational functions. The position is accountable for operational excellence across all FEH 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 FEH 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 FEH projects.
This position requires extensive international travel of up to 70% of the time.
LOCATION
Remote: anywhere in the world with authorization to work
COMPENSATION
Salary will be scaled based on location
ABOUT ORBIS
Orbis is an international nonprofit delivering sight-saving programs in over 200 countries and territories worldwide so that individuals, families, and communities can thrive. Currently, around 1 billion people across the globe live with completely avoidable blindness and vision loss. For over four decades, Orbis has been tackling this challenge by building strong and sustainable eye care systems that leave a lasting legacy of vision. Orbis runs dedicated country programs in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America; develops and implements innovative training and technology, including an award-winning telemedicine and e-learning platform, Cybersight; and operates the world’s first and only Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft.
REPORTING & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The Director, FEH reports directly to the Senior Director, FEH 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 FEH Management Team, ensuring effective coordination and integration across clinical services, program delivery, logistics, finance, communications, and aircraft operations to achieve the FEH’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 FEH activities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Operational Leadership & Organizational Performance
- Provide executive leadership for the operational delivery of the FEH, ensuring all clinical training projects, Goodwill Tours and special initiatives are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved plans.
- Translate the Board-approved FEH Strategy into annual operating plan that supports organizational goals.
- Lead the FEH 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 FEH 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 FEH 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 FEH 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 FEH 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 FEH 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 FEH 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 FEH 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 FEH 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 7 years’ 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.
- Inspiring 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.
Click here for a quick overview of our values and competencies
To learn more about Orbis, visit out About Us page https://www.orbis.org/en/about-us
How to apply
If you are interested in being considered, please apply through our website here:Â https://www.orbis.org/en/jobs/directorfye