Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Flying Eye Hospital

at ORBIS International

🏢 About ORBIS International

ORBIS International is a leading global eye care organization that fights avoidable blindness through innovative programs like the Flying Eye Hospital, a fully-equipped ophthalmic hospital onboard an MD-10 aircraft. Working at ORBIS means contributing to life-changing training and treatment for eye care professionals and patients in underserved communities worldwide, with a mission-driven team that values collaboration, innovation, and impact.

About This Role

As the Director of the Flying Eye Hospital, you will lead the operational execution of this unique airborne teaching hospital, overseeing clinical training projects, Goodwill Tours, and special initiatives across the globe. This role is impactful because it directly enables the delivery of hands-on training to local eye care teams, strengthening health systems and preventing blindness in low-resource settings. You will translate strategy into action, ensuring safety, efficiency, and high-quality care in every project, while managing a multidisciplinary team and coordinating with partners worldwide.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your project leads across different time zones, reviewing operational status and safety protocols for an upcoming project. You could spend time coordinating with country offices and partners on logistics, then dive into budget reviews or strategic planning with the Senior Director. Later, you might join a call with the aircraft crew to ensure readiness, or travel to a project site to oversee implementation, meeting with local medical teams and government officials.

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🎯 Who ORBIS International Is Looking For

  • Proven operational leadership in a global health, aviation, or medical setting, with experience managing complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute annual operating plans, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with international regulations and organizational policies.
  • Strong cross-cultural communication and partnership skills, comfortable working with diverse stakeholders including government officials, clinicians, and donors.
  • Willingness to travel extensively (up to 70%) and experience working in low-resource or remote settings, with a commitment to quality and safety.
  • Knowledge of ophthalmology or clinical training programs is a plus, along with strategic thinking and crisis management capabilities.

📝 Tips for Applying to ORBIS International

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of leading complex, multi-country projects, and quantify your impact (e.g., number of projects, budget size, team size).

2

Research ORBIS's current Flying Eye Hospital projects and mention them in your cover letter to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of the role's scope.

3

Emphasize your experience with aviation or medical logistics, safety compliance, and working with diverse international teams, as these are critical for this role.

4

Since the role is remote, highlight your ability to work independently and across time zones, and provide examples of how you've managed remote teams effectively.

5

Use the application portal to upload a video or portfolio if possible, showcasing your leadership style or a relevant project, to stand out from other candidates.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for ORBIS's mission and how your operational leadership skills can directly contribute to expanding eye care access globally.", "Specific examples of how you've managed similar complex, multi-stakeholder projects, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and quality outcomes.", 'Your experience with international travel and working in challenging environments, demonstrating your readiness for the travel requirement.', "Your ability to build and lead integrated teams, and how you've fostered collaboration across departments or organizations to achieve strategic goals."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review ORBIS's mission, vision, and recent annual reports to understand their global impact and current strategic priorities.
  • → Learn about the Flying Eye Hospital's history, its current aircraft (MD-10), and recent project locations to show informed interest.
  • → Explore ORBIS's partnerships with organizations like FedEx and how they contribute to the FEH operations, to understand the collaborative ecosystem.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the World Health Organization's initiatives for eye care and avoidable blindness to align your answers with broader global health goals.
Visit ORBIS International's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach developing an annual operating plan for the Flying Eye Hospital, balancing clinical training goals with operational constraints?
2 Describe a time you managed a crisis or unexpected challenge during a project in a remote or low-resource setting. What was your approach?
3 How do you ensure safety and compliance across multiple countries with varying regulations, especially in an aircraft-based medical facility?
4 Give an example of how you've built strong partnerships with government officials or local organizations to achieve project objectives.
5 How would you handle budget constraints while maintaining the high quality of clinical training and hospital operations?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid a generic cover letter that doesn't mention ORBIS or the Flying Eye Hospital specifically; this role requires a deep understanding of its unique mission.
  • Don't underestimate the travel requirement or express reluctance about frequent travel; this is a core part of the role and must be embraced.
  • Avoid focusing solely on clinical aspects; this is an operational leadership role, so highlight your management, logistics, and strategic skills over medical expertise.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: September 30, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to ORBIS International!

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