Associate Director, Acute Care Services

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care. The Associate Director, Acute Care Services provides strategic and operational leadership for a hospital-based specialty service within St. Luke's Physician Group. This role is accountable for driving clinical and financial performance, ensuring operational excellence, and advancing service line growth across multiple hospital sites. Key responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, optimizing workflows, managing budgets, and fostering provider engagement to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. The Associate Director collaborates closely with physicians, clinical leaders, hospital administration, and multidisciplinary teams to align initiatives with organizational goals, enhance patient experience, and maintain regulatory compliance. Serving as the primary liaison for hospital-based provider teams, this leader champions innovation, workforce optimization, and continuous improvement to achieve superior outcomes, operational efficiency, and exceptional service delivery.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide oversight and leadership for hospital-based specialty provider services, ensuring streamlined workflows, exceptional quality of care, and full alignment with organizational objectives and performance standards Direct and oversee the daily operations of hospital-based specialty provider group, ensuring seamless coordination, operational efficiency, and adherence to organizational standards Collaborate closely with physician leaders, medical directors, and hospital executives to optimize clinical operations, refine staffing strategies, and drive service line performance in alignment with organizational goals. Manage provider staffing and scheduling to ensure optimal coverage, operational efficiency, and timely responsiveness to fluctuating patient volumes and acuity levels Lead, coach, and empower operational teams to foster accountability, engagement, and consistent execution across hospital-based specialty provider group(s). Lead personnel administration in partnership with Human Resources, including talent acquisition, onboarding, contract management, payroll oversight, and resolution of employee relations matters. Develop and implement strategies to enhance provider satisfaction, engagement, and retention within hospital-based specialty services. Drive improvements in operational efficiency, care quality, and patient experience through data-driven decision-making, process optimization, and continuous performance monitoring. Develop and present operational and financial reports to senior leadership, using data insights to guide strategic decisions. Collaborate with IT and clinical teams to optimize EMR workflows, reporting tools, and technology solutions that support operational efficiency and compliance. Monitor and analyze quality scorecards and benchmark data to identify performance gaps and implement targeted improvement strategies. Manage financial performance by contributing to budget development, monitoring expenditures, approving invoices and purchases, and implementing cost-effective strategies to ensure fiscal accountability and operational sustainability Monitor and optimize provider productivity by analyzing performance metrics, implementing workflow improvements, and ensuring alignment with organizational benchmarks. Coordinate professional billing, coding education, and revenue cycle operations to maximize reimbursement accuracy, ensure compliance with documentation standards, and maintain adherence to payer requirements Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and organizational policies through proactive monitoring, provider education, and implementation of best practices.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's in healthcare administration, business, or related field (Master's preferred).

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Three to five years of progressive leadership experience with direct accountability for team management, operational performance, and/or service line oversight. Proven ability to build strong partnerships with physicians and clinical leaders to drive strategic and operational initiatives. Strong knowledge of clinical workflows, healthcare regulations, and financial management. Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address. Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer. Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable. It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application. Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!! St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Founded in 1872, St. Luke's University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network's service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke's hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke's Children's Hospital. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare's five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World's Best Hospital. The Network's flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING

HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY.

In 2021, St. Luke's was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. St. Luke's is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row. Also, for the third straight year, St. Luke's has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award. In 2025, St. Luke's was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024. Lastly, in 2025, St. Luke's was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row. Learn More Here.