Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) for CommUnityCare (CUC) is a visionary and execution-focused leader responsible for the strategic and operational performance of all CommUnityCare Health Centers and additional Central Health ambulatory care sites and services as assigned. This executive drives innovation, operational excellence, integration and equitable access across a diverse portfolio of services, ensuring alignment with health center goals and Central Health’s overarching public healthcare system mission and service delivery strategies to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

The COO leads the transformation of care delivery models, infrastructure modernization, and digital integration efforts that support value-based care and population health. With accountability for performance, experience, and financial sustainability, the COO cultivates a culture of collaboration, data-driven improvement, and people-first leadership. The COO will serve a pivotal role in the planning, execution and change management associated with the coordination and integration of a growing portfolio of FQHC health centers and Central Health system ambulatory sites, service and teams. This role ensures that ambulatory operations remain patient-centered, compliant with regulatory standards, and responsive to future-state healthcare delivery. Reports directly to the CUC CEO with indirect reporting to the Central Health COO for system-wide alignment and closely collaborates with system-wide colleagues in a highly-matrixed organizational structure.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Strategy, Transformation & Infrastructure

• Serve as an executive with expertise in FQHC and broader ambulatory operational strategy, business model transformation, and infrastructure modernization.
• Design and implement scalable, high-performing operational platforms to enable digital integration, innovation, and population health capabilities.
• Partner with capital planning, IT, and facilities to support clinical growth through optimized space planning, technology platforms, and access infrastructure.
• Lead transformation efforts aligned with regulatory shifts and emerging care delivery models such as value-based care, team-based approaches, and integrated specialty services.
• Champion the adoption of automation, AI-powered operational intelligence, and digital tools to optimize patient flow, resource allocation, and workforce deployment.

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Direct daily operations of all FQHC and broader ambulatory care locations, ensuring operational excellence, clinical integration, and financial sustainability.
• Translate organizational strategy into an ambulatory operating plan with clear priorities, performance goals, and execution timelines.
• Partner with clinical leaders to implement programs that are cost-effective, digitally enabled, and integrated across care settings.
• Promote a culture of high reliability, collaboration, mission-driven service, and excellence across all operational areas.

Patient Access & Experience

• Oversee access including scheduling, front office, eligibility, and call center functions.
• Optimize the patient journey from pre-visit engagement to post-visit follow-up through standardized, patient-centered, and efficient workflows.
• Implement initiatives to reduce wait times, improve appointment availability, and enhance access equity across communities served.
• Embed experience design principles aligned with FQHC values and community engagement strategies.
  

Performance & Process Improvement

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement using real-time dashboards, predictive analytics, and AI-based decision support.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to reduce variation, streamline workflows, and improve clinical-operational integration.
• Align improvement efforts with system priorities for quality, safety, efficiency, and patient satisfaction.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent methodologies to support data-driven operational excellence.

People & Culture

• Lead recruitment, engagement, and performance management of operational leaders and team members.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, equity, transparency, and psychological safety across all teams.
• Support leadership development, succession planning, and team resilience initiatives.
• Champion a people-first approach that values empathy, shared accountability, and collaborative decision-making.

Compliance & Accreditation

• Strive always for compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including HRSA, Joint Commission, and CMS standards.
• Develop and monitor policies and standard operating procedures to ensure regulatory readiness and operational integrity.
• Lead preparation for audits, site visits, and external assessments relevant to ambulatory and FQHC operations.

Financial Oversight

• Partner with Finance and Strategy to develop, monitor, and optimize operating and capital budgets.
• Manage financial performance and take corrective action to meet cost, productivity, and margin targets.
• Support business development, service line expansion, and access growth aligned with community needs and market trends.
• Advance financial transformation strategies including value-based payment models, care team optimization, and risk-based contracting.

Regulatory Stewardship & FQHC Compliance

• Work to ensure CUC operational compliance with HRSA Health Center Program requirements—spanning service scope, sites, eligibility, sliding-fee, billing, procurement, and fiscal controls.
• Be prepared for all external reviews, including HRSA Operational Site Visits, Joint Commission/CMS surveys, and financial or safety audits; drive timely corrective-action plans and continuous “survey-ready” operations, working with compliance and legal as necessary.
• Manage scope-of-project and site/service change processes, securing Board approvals and submitting HRSA notifications or change-in-scope applications in collaboration with compliance, clinical and finance leaders.

Additional Responsibilities

Models, promotes, and performs all duties in an ethical manner consistent with the overall mission and values of CommUnityCare and the system. Performs any other duties as needed to drive the vision, fulfill the mission, and abide by the values of the system.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or related field required.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in ambulatory or outpatient care operations, preferably within a federally qualified health center (FQHC), multi-site, or integrated healthcare delivery system. Other suitable operational experience may be substituted.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven ability to lead operational teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

• Expertise in ambulatory care delivery models, including Patient-Centered Medical Homes and integrated care.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare regulatory requirements and accreditation processes.
• Demonstrated experience in using data analytics to drive operational and clinical improvements.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and change management skills.
• Ability to lead through influence, build strategic partnerships, and foster high-functioning teams.

• Strong track record in leading large-scale operational transformation and infrastructure strategy in complex healthcare settings.
• Deep understanding of the Federally Qualified Health Center model and its integration within broader healthcare systems.
• Experience leveraging digital health, AI, and technology platforms to improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes.
• Exemplifies strong patient-centeredness, ensuring that strategic decisions, culture, and operations consistently reflect a deep commitment to the needs, dignity, and outcomes of those served.
• Exemplifies a transparent leadership style that prioritizes people, leading with curiosity, kindness, and humility to foster a supportive, safe, and inclusive environment where every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute and thrive.