Senior Vice President (SVP) of Cardiac Surgical Services

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Cardiac Surgical Services is a system-level physician executive responsible for the strategic, clinical, operational, and financial leadership of all cardiac surgery programs across RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH). The SVP will lead the design and execution of a high-performing, integrated cardiac surgical network, spanning tertiary and quaternary centers, community hospitals, ambulatory settings, and partnerships. The role requires collaborative leadership across a highly matrixed organization, aligning hospital leadership, employed and independent physicians, Rutgers faculty, and administrative teams toward common enterprise goals. This leader will drive clinical excellence, equitable access, sustainable growth, and academic advancement, while ensuring RWJBH remains a regional and national leader in cardiac surgical outcomes, innovation, and value-based care. 

This role reports directly to the Chief Clinical Officer, RWJBH Heart & Vascular Service line, and serves as a key member of the enterprise clinical leadership team. 

As Senior Vice President (SVP) of Cardiac Surgical Services, a typical day might include the following:

• Lead enterprise-wide cardiac surgery strategy by collaborating with RWJBH hospital and physician leaders, and multidisciplinary clinical teams to standardize care, drive innovation, and advance exceptional patient outcomes across every hospital in the system
• Partner with cardiology, heart failure, vascular, transplant, and academic leaders to expand access to highly specialized cardiac surgical services, strengthen referral networks, and grow nationally recognized centers of excellence
• Review clinical, operational, and financial performance data to identify opportunities for improvement, implement evidence-based best practices, and achieve top-tier quality outcomes, including STS performance metrics, patient safety, and value-based care objectives
• Mentor, recruit, and develop the next generation of cardiac surgeons and physician leaders while fostering a collaborative culture centered on accountability, transparency, continuous learning, and clinical excellence
• Optimize the performance of the cardiac surgery service line by improving operating room efficiency, patient throughput, workforce planning, resource utilization, and financial stewardship across a complex, matrixed academic health system
• Champion the future of cardiac surgery by advancing clinical research, expanding innovative surgical technologies and minimally invasive programs, and partnering with academic faculty to strengthen education, training, and the health system’s national reputation for cardiovascular care

This role might be for you if you:

• Are a practicing cardiac surgeon with demonstrated clinical excellence who believes in leading-by-example
• Are passionate about building and leading a world-class, integrated cardiac surgery program that delivers exceptional clinical outcomes while shaping the future of cardiovascular care across a large academic health system
• Excel at bringing together diverse physician, hospital, and executive leaders to create alignment, influence change, and drive enterprise-wide results in a highly matrixed environment
• Thrive on using data, innovation, and evidence-based best practices to improve quality, expand patient access, optimize operational performance, and achieve nationally recognized cardiac surgery outcomes
• Enjoy balancing the art of clinical practice with the strategy of executive leadership, guiding growth initiatives, financial stewardship, workforce development, and long-term service line transformation
• Are committed to mentoring the next generation of cardiac surgeons, advancing academic medicine, and fostering a culture of collaboration, research, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Want to make a lasting impact by positioning one of the nation’s largest academic health systems as the destination for advanced cardiac surgical care, pioneering therapies, and exceptional patient experiences

To be considered for this opportunity, you must possess an MD or DO from an accredited medical school, be board certified in Cardiothoracic Surgery, and hold—or be eligible to obtain—medical licensure in the State of New Jersey. The ideal candidate will bring at least 15 years of active clinical experience in cardiac surgery, including a minimum of 10 years in progressive physician leadership roles within cardiac surgery, cardiovascular service lines, or an academic health system. Demonstrated success leading an integrated cardiac surgical program, improving clinical quality, operational performance, financial results, patient access, and academic initiatives is essential. Experience navigating complex, matrixed organizations while influencing diverse stakeholders and driving enterprise-wide transformation is strongly preferred. An MBA, MHA, or other advanced degree in healthcare management is desirable but not required.

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest integrated health care delivery system, providing treatment and services to more than three million patients each year. With 12 acute care hospitals, 3 children's hospitals, a growing number of our outpatient facilities and physician practices, our healthcare system is committed to providing the highest quality of patient care and health education to the community and region.

Our dedication to serving the people of New Jersey extends far beyond the care we provide within our hospital walls. We support programs that promote health and wellness in our communities and provide access to services that would otherwise be unavailable. We are committed to the ongoing improvement of the health, quality of life, and vitality of our communities. We strive to bring the best healthcare to meet the evolving needs of residents in New Jersey — whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

Our partnership with Rutgers University creates the state’s largest academic healthcare system dedicated to providing high-quality patient care, leading-edge research, and world-class health and medical education, further advancing our mission of providing high-quality healthcare in New Jersey.

The new collaboration also aligns RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research, and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.