Executive Director, Neuroscience Institute Greater Santa Ana, CA Area

This is a high-impact executive leadership role at the forefront of shaping the future of neuroscience care across the organization. In close partnership with and under the strategic advisement of the Chief Clinical Institutes Officer, the Executive Director will drive transformative outcomes in clinical quality, patient access, service line growth, and financial performance while advancing a bold vision for innovation and excellence. This leader will play a pivotal role in building upon and elevating a best-in-class Neurosciences Institute and recognized for superior clinical outcomes, forward-thinking care models, and an unparalleled patient experience.

The Executive Director, Operations for the Neurosciences Institute provides strategic, operational, and financial leadership for one of the organization’s most critical and high-impact service lines. This role is responsible for driving growth, advancing clinical excellence, and optimizing operational performance across a comprehensive portfolio of neuroscience programs.

As a key member of the Neurosciences Leadership Team, the Executive Director reports directly in the Chief Clinical Institutes Officer and partners closely with physician leadership, clinical leadership, and executive stakeholders to shape the future of neurosciences care enhancing patient outcomes, expanding access, and strengthening regional and national reputation.

The Executive Director oversees all operational aspects of the Neurosciences Institute and including Epilepsy Program, Memory and Cognitive Disorders and associated Orange County Vital Aging Program, Traumatic Brain Injury Program, Psychology Externship Training, Neurodiagnostic Lab, and Intraoperative Neurophysiology Monitoring.

This leader plays a critical role in aligning service line strategy with organizational priorities, ensuring sustainable growth, financial performance, and exceptional patient care delivery.

Under the direction of the Chief Clinical Institutes Officer, the Executive Director develops and executes strategic initiatives that enhance quality, improve efficiency, and position the institute for continued innovation and market leadership.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Support the strategic planning, development, and expansion of the Neurosciences service line
• Identify and execute opportunities for program growth, new services, and physician recruitment
• Drive market positioning and referral network development to expand regional reach and influence
• Align service line goals with broader organizational strategy and long-term vision

Operational Excellence

• Oversee day-to-day operations across inpatient, outpatient, procedural, and diagnostic services
• Ensure high performance in quality, patient experience, access, and throughput
• Develop and lead high-performing, multidisciplinary teams across the service line
• Standardizations and optimizations of workflows to enhance efficiency and care delivery

Financial & Business Performance

• Maintain accountability for the overall fiscal performance of the service line, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation
• Analyze key metrics including volumes, productivity, cost structure, and market trends to inform decision-making
• Lead capital planning, facility development, and major program investments
• Develop, interpret, and implement fiscal policies and procedures that support operational and financial goals

Clinical & Physician Partnership

• Collaborate with physicians and clinical leaders to advance innovation and program development
• Support physician alignment, engagement, and recruitment strategies

People & Culture Leadership

• Provide executive oversight for talent management, including staff development, performance management, and succession planning
• Ensure effective education, competency validation, licensure, and onboarding programs
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Master's degree in healthcare administration, Business Administration is highly preferred.
• 5–10+ years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, with increasing scope and responsibility.
• Proven business acumen demonstrated through successfully developing and launching new programs, building data-driven and compelling business cases, and executing strategic plans with measurable impact through hands-on leadership.
• Prior experience leading complex programs, service lines, or procedural departments, neurosciences experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in driving service line growth, physician engagement, and operational excellence.
• Highly skilled leader in navigating complex matrix structures to achieve clinical and business goals is required.

• Requires visible and engaged leadership beyond traditional business hours, including meetings, rounding, and timely responsiveness during evenings, nights, and/or weekends to support operational priorities, team needs, and patient care expectations.

• Experience writing detailed policies and procedures compliant with DNV, and CDPH, and government standards or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of Incidental Medical Services/MAT policies and procedures to effectively communicate with Health Care Provider/Physician and Nurse of any observations or issues reported regarding client’s care.
• Identify and respond to medical/psychiatric emergencies and recognize signs and symptoms of intoxication from different substances preferred.

License Preferred

• LMFT (Licensed Married and Family Therapist)
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
• Licensed or Psychologist (PsyD or PhD)

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian is a nonprofit regional health care delivery network in Orange County, California, consisting of three acute-care hospitals with sixteen urgent care centers, eleven health centers and a network of more than1,800 physicians, 100 allied health members, 8,000 employees, and 2,000 volunteers. More than 30,000 inpatients and 550,000 outpatients choose Hoag each year.

For over 70 years, Hoag has delivered a level of personalized care that is unsurpassed among Orange County’s health care providers. Since 1952, Hoag has served the local communities and continues its mission to provide the highest quality health care services through the core strategies of quality and service, people, physician partnerships, strategic growth, financial stewardship, community benefit and philanthropy.

Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services including six institutes providing specialized care in the areas of cancer, heart and vascular, neurosciences, women's health, orthopedics, and digestive health through our institutes.

Hoag was the highest ranked hospital in Orange County in the 2024-2025 U.S. News &World Report, the only Orange County hospital ranked in the top 10 for California. The organization was ranked the #5 hospital in the Los Angeles Metro Area and the #10 hospital in California.

To learn more about Hoag’s awards and accreditations, visit:

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Hoag is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Hoag is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Hoag hires a diverse group of people in a manner that allows them to reach their full potential in the pursuit of organizational objectives.