Position Purpose

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the Lions World Vision Institute (LWVI) executive leadership team, responsible for driving operational excellence, managing cross-functional initiatives, and overseeing day-to-day internal operations of the organization. The COO ensures strategic alignment across departments and plays a pivotal role in implementing the organization's long-term vision. A critical function of this role includes direct supervision and support of the Vice Presidents of Operations to ensure smooth and scalable delivery of services to meet the LWVI mission.

The COO gives general direction and oversight to ensure optimal outcomes are achieved, goals are set and met and to ensure compliance with all LWVI Policies and Procedures, American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) Medical Standards and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Good Tissue Practices (GTP’s)

Essentials Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the Mission, Vision, and Values of LWVI and exhibits a commitment to organ, tissue, and eye donation.
• Lead and manage the organization’s internal operations, ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with strategic goals.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable operational plans, KPIs, and execution timelines.
• Collaborate with the CEO and VPs of Operations to drive growth, innovation, and impact.
• Optimize resource utilization, partner and vendor relationships, and supply chain performance.
• Foster a performance-oriented culture grounded in accountability, transparency, and results.
• Maintains the quality of the eye bank and tissue recovery processes including compliance with regulatory agencies such as the FDA, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, EBAA, AATB and any other organization with regulatory authority over the department.
• Identify and mitigate organizational risks, ensuring compliance with nonprofit regulations and donor expectations.
• Facilitates relations with partner tissue and organ recovery agencies in our service areas.
• Develops and maintains annual operational budget with CFO.
• Maintains contractual relationships with partner eye and tissue banks.
• Manages effective staffing and execution of all aspects of LWVI operations.
• Represents LWVI in Eye Bank Association of America, Vision Share, American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and other professional organizations through committee or other vital participation.
• Routinely attends and represents LWVI at professional conferences.
• Interacts with local, national, and international surgeons’ clients of LWVI.
• Develops leadership and management skills of key LWVI Operations staff.
• Stay informed of industry standards and regulations as related to donor or tissue-related issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Schedule and Travel

• Regular office hours of Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., including weekends and late weeknights based on business needs.
• Intermittent travel to satellite offices. Travel to industry may be conferences required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of aseptic technique, applicable state and federal regulations, American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), Eye Bank Association of America Medical Standards, and LWVI standard operating procedures.
• Leadership and management experience; knowledge of behaviors conforming to all appropriate state and federal labor laws and in a style consistent with leadership philosophies around employee engagement.
• Demonstrate a strong background in health care management, which includes strategic planning and change management, budgeting, operational streamlining, coaching and performance improvement.
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures used in budget preparation, justification, monitoring, and reporting.
• Strong interpretive/analytical skills.
• Strong time-management/planning/organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively (in both oral and written forms) across all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of medical and ophthalmic terminology.
• Must read and write English.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Work experience may substitute for education requirements.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit management, logistics, or operations, with at least 5 years at the executive level.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in the Medical industry Organ/Tissue or Eye donation required.
• Proven experience overseeing and developing senior leadership roles, including VPs or Directors.
• Exceptional strategic planning, project management, and organizational development skills.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit operations, compliance, and donor stewardship.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative leadership style.
• Data-driven decision-maker with a passion for mission impact and community service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite of Products; i.e., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project, etc.
• Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS) or Certified Eye Bank Specialist (CEBT) preferred within 24 months of employment.

About Lions World Vision Institute

Lions World Vision Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to honoring vision as a basic human right. Our work extends around the globe and includes donor family and recipient support, advanced tissue preparation for transplant cases, innovative research and technology development, eye bank and surgeon training programs, pediatric vision services, and community-based education in local and international communities for those who are visually impaired. With our worldwide ecosystem of eye banks, surgeons, and research leaders, we work tirelessly to honor a donor’s gift by protecting and supporting sight restoration for hundreds of thousands of people—transforming lives around the world…. So the world can see.

Connections working at Lions World Vision Institute