Assistant Director of Clinical and Laboratory Operations - Dental School

Overview

We are looking for a hands‑on operational leader who can support the clinical and educational work at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. The right candidate can organize multi‑step workflows, manage competing priorities across teams, and stay steady in a fast‑paced environment. This role requires strong communication skills, a systems‑focused way of thinking, and reliable follow‑through to keep daily operations running smoothly.

If you have experience in operations, logistics, workflow coordination, or clinical administration and enjoy working in a service‑driven, collaborative setting, we encourage you to apply.

• Supervise the Manager of Clinical Support Services and four Laboratory Coordinators, indirectly overseeing about 50 staff.
• Build leadership capacity among managers through mentoring in scheduling, resource allocation, performance management, and compliance.
• Advise on workforce planning, succession management, and workload distribution across shifts as deputy to the Senior Director, ensuring operational continuity and a strong culture of accountability.
• Provide high‑level oversight of pre‑doctoral, postgraduate, orthodontic, and production laboratories.
• Ensure efficient case intake, quality assurance, and best practices for laboratory workflows.
• Collaborate with faculty to align lab support with academic programs and represent the school in cross‑departmental planning where lab operations intersect with clinical or procurement functions.
• Partner with the Manager of Clinical Support Services to align staffing strategies with patient care and academic needs.
• Oversee coverage across shifts, monitor productivity, and implement best practices for clinical support services.
• Serve as the escalation point for operational issues and represent the Senior Director in meetings with delegated authority.
• Maintain advisory involvement with Central Sterilization, Materials Management, Procurement, and Preclinical Operations to ensure coordinated strategies.
• Oversee compliance with OSHA, BORID, DPH, and infection control standards, reinforcing training and preparing for audits.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and improve student and patient experiences.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned, including leading pilot projects, supporting new initiatives, and representing the Senior Director when needed.
• Adapt duties based on evolving institutional priorities.

• Basic Requirements:
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in healthcare, higher education, or clinical operations, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Demonstrated success in managing large, diverse teams across multiple service areas, including laboratory staff, clinical support services, and supervisory personnel.
• Strong knowledge of clinical operations, academic support, and laboratory workflows, including coordination between pre‑doctoral and postgraduate programs.
• Experience with compliance‑critical functions, including infection control, OSHA, BORID, and DPH requirements.
• Excellent skills in organizational planning, workforce management, and cross‑departmental coordination.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence faculty, staff, and students across academic and clinical environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to learn institution‑specific scheduling, inventory, and compliance systems.
• Ability to complete all required background checks at the time of hire, promotion, or transfer.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, science, or a related field required;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in an academic dental or healthcare setting, with an understanding of the intersection of education, compliance, and patient care.
• Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated success in quality improvement initiatives that enhance compliance, efficiency, or service delivery.
• Experience with digital technologies in clinical or educational settings (e.g., intraoral scanners, CAD/CAM, VR…