Senior Vice President (SVP) of Cardiac Surgical Services

About the Role

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). 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• MD or DO from an accredited medical school.
• Board certification in Cardiothoracic Surgery.
• Active medical licensure in the State of New Jersey or eligibility to obtain it.
• At least 15 years of active clinical experience in cardiac surgery.
• 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.
• Experience navigating complex, matrixed organizations while influencing diverse stakeholders and driving enterprise-wide transformation.
• MBA, MHA, or other advanced degree in healthcare management is desirable but not required.

Skills

• Practicing cardiac surgeon with demonstrated clinical excellence and a commitment to leading by example.
• Passion for building and leading a world-class, integrated cardiac surgery program.
• Ability to bring together diverse physician, hospital, and executive leaders to create alignment and drive results.
• Proficiency in using data, innovation, and evidence-based practices to improve quality, expand access, and optimize performance.
• Balanced approach to clinical practice and executive leadership, guiding growth, financial stewardship, and service line transformation.
• Dedication to mentoring the next generation of cardiac surgeons and advancing academic medicine.

About RWJBarnabas Health

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 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 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.

Contact a Physician Recruiter for more information.