Director, Operational Excellence

MDK is seeking a Director of Operational Excellence to lead our firm-wide efforts to enhance operational efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness. This leadership role will work cross-functionally with business units to foster a culture of continuous improvement. You will apply process improvement tools and methods to identify inefficiencies, remove waste, and implement sustainable changes that drive long-term value. If you are passionate about leading strategic initiatives and empowering teams to create measurable impact, this is an exciting opportunity to drive meaningful change within the firm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategy Deployment and Governance

  • Design and implement an overarching Operational Excellence strategy that aligns with company goals.

  • Establish governance structures, best practices, and escalation procedures for continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Collaborate with executive leadership to identify key focus areas and drive cross-functional alignment.

  • Lead steering committees to monitor progress, remove obstacles, and ensure successful execution of initiatives.

  • Manage resource allocation and project prioritization to drive operational excellence.

• Process Improvement Leadership

  • Lead and mentor teams through process improvement projects, focusing on efficiency, cost reduction, and quality enhancement.

  • Apply Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other methodologies to streamline workflows and eliminate waste.

  • Provide expertise to ensure solutions are scalable, measurable, and sustainable.

• Capability Building and Enablement

  • Develop and deliver training programs, tools, and playbooks to embed Operational Excellence across all levels of the organization.

  • Mentor teams and individuals through structured problem-solving and improvement cycles.

  • Foster internal champions for process improvement, building confidence in OE tools and methodologies.

  • Promote the adoption of continuous improvement practices firm-wide, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Performance Management and Organizational Support

  • Work with leaders to identify root causes of inefficiencies and implement customized solutions.

  • Support change management efforts to ensure smooth adoption and sustainment of new processes.

  • Lead a team of Operational Excellence practitioners, focusing on performance, development, and resource management.

  • Continuously evaluate and adapt the OE function to meet evolving business needs.

Requirements:

Must-Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, operations management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 10+ years of experience in operations, process improvement, business transformation, or related fields.

• Proven experience in designing and scaling improvement programs across multiple business units or departments.

• Demonstrated ability to build and lead a new function, securing buy-in and delivering impactful results.

• Expertise in process improvement methodologies and tools (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, value stream mapping).

• Strong facilitation and coaching skills, with experience in adult learning and training development.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, particularly with executive teams.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with a focus on structured decision-making.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and achieve measurable outcomes.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Visio) and experience with Power BI or other reporting tools preferred.

Nice-to-Have:

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.

• Experience in statistics, data analysis, and data-driven performance management tools.

Schedule & Benefits:

Our team works Monday through Friday, general business hours. After a successful orientation period, we offer a hybrid schedule, which allows our employees flexibility to work from home and in the office. MDK provides a comprehensive benefit package, which includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) plan, with an employer contribution.
• Paid time off.

Additional perks:

• Paid time to volunteer in the community.
• Paid holidays.
• Casual dress code.
• The opportunity for career development and advancement.

Join MDK: Pioneering Uncommon Paths to Success

At MDK, we blend legal expertise with innovative technology to provide comprehensive legal and professional services. Since our inception in 2002, we've expanded our services to include residential mortgage, timeshare default services, a national bankruptcy practice, and title and closing services, reaching clients nationwide.

Our culture emphasizes support, well-being, and continuous growth. Through initiatives like our Culture Council and career development programs, we foster an environment where curiosity and collaboration thrive. We prioritize work-life balance with flexible hybrid work arrangements and a robust Volunteer Time Off program.

MDK has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by Columbus Business First magazine and honored with the Best Law Firm designation by US News and World Report. Join us to explore your potential and contribute to our mission of creating uncommon paths to success.

Thank you for considering MDK as your next career destination. 

Learn more about MDK by visiting Attorneys & Professional Services | MDK (mdklegal.com) or visit us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

The Manley Law Firm LLC d/b/a MDK and affiliates are Equal Opportunity Employers. We have a no tolerance policy for discrimination at our workplace. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to all applicants. We respect everyone from fair wages to equal opportunities for growth and movement here at MDK.