Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a senior executive leader at Sandhills Medical and a key member of the C-suite reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The COO holds enterprise-wide accountability for the strategic direction and day-to-day operational performance of Sandhills Medical as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This role is both strategic and hands-on: the COO is expected to be visibly present across sites, actively supporting clinical and administrative teams, removing barriers to effective care delivery, and modeling a culture of excellence from the front lines. The COO translates the organizations mission and strategic goals into measurable results while remaining accessible and engaged at the operational level ensuring that the work happening in every department and at every site reflects Sandhills Medicals commitment to high-quality, patient-centered, and cost-effective community healthcare.

Executive & Strategic Leadership

• Serves as the primary operational leader of Sandhills Medical, partnering with the CEO to shape and execute the organizations long-term strategic vision.

• Translates board-level and CEO directives into operational strategies, goals, and accountability structures across all departments and service lines.

• Leads annual and multi-year operational planning processes, ensuring alignment with HRSA requirements, FQHC standards, and community health needs.

• Represents the organization in the absence of the CEO and provides executive-level engagement with the Board of Directors as needed.

• Identifies emerging opportunities, risks, and trends in the community health landscape and positions Sandhills Medical to respond proactively.

Operational Leadership & Day-to-Day Presence

• Provides enterprise-wide oversight of all clinical and administrative operations across all Sandhills Medical sites and service lines, including primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy, and ancillary services.

• Maintains consistent, visible presence across all clinical sites engaging directly with staff, providers, and patients to assess operational performance, identify barriers, and ensure care delivery standards are met.

• Works alongside site teams to troubleshoot operational challenges, support workflow improvements, and model a service-oriented, solutions-focused culture.

• Directs and holds accountable senior leaders, including the VP of Operations and department directors, to ensure efficient, effective, and consistent service delivery.

• Establishes performance standards, operational benchmarks, and accountability frameworks across all business units.

• Drives operational excellence through process improvement, standardization, and the implementation of best practices organization-wide.

• Ensures facilities, resources, and infrastructure are adequately managed, maintained, and positioned for sustainable growth.

Financial Stewardship & Sustainability

• Partners with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to develop, manage, and monitor organizational budgets that balance fiscal responsibility with mission-driven community needs.

• Oversees resource allocation, cost efficiency strategies, and operational sustainability across all departments and sites.

• Provides operational oversight to support grant management, funding opportunities, and HRSA compliance reporting requirements.

• Drives revenue cycle optimization and financial performance by aligning operational metrics with financial goals.

• Identifies and pursues opportunities for service expansion, new revenue streams, and strategic partnerships that advance the organizations mission.

Emergency Preparedness & Organizational Resilience

• Provides executive leadership for organizational safety, security, and disaster preparedness planning and response.

• Oversees the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of business continuity plans to ensure operational resilience during emergencies.

• Ensures cross-departmental coordination and readiness for public health emergencies and other unplanned disruptions.

Leadership & Workforce Development

• Provides direct leadership, mentorship, and professional development to senior leaders including the VP of Operations and department directors.

• Is regularly visible and accessible to managers, frontline staff, and providers fostering trust, open communication, and a strong organizational culture at every level.

• Builds a high-performance organizational culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement.

• Promotes staff engagement, succession planning, and a sustainable talent pipeline to ensure long-term organizational stability.

• Champions diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring, development, and organizational practices.

• Models and instills Sandhills Medicals mission and values across all levels of the organization.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represents Sandhills Medical with external partners, regulatory agencies, community organizations, and the public, serving as a trusted ambassador of the organizations mission.

• Builds and sustains productive relationships with patients, employees, the Board of Directors, HRSA, and community stakeholders.

• Leads cross-sector partnership development to expand access to care, enhance community health outcomes, and advance the organizations strategic priorities.

• Collaborates with the CEO on advocacy efforts, legislative engagement, and health policy matters that impact FQHC operations and community health.

Requirements:

• Education: Masters degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or related field required; Doctoral-level preparation (e.g., DHA, MBA, MPH with executive experience) is a plus.

• Experience: Minimum of 1015 years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare operations, with at least 7 years in a C-suite, VP, or equivalent senior executive role. FQHC or community health center experience is strongly preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Visionary executive leadership with demonstrated ability to set direction, align teams, and drive organizational transformation.

• Proven capacity to operate effectively at both a strategic and operational level equally comfortable in the boardroom and on the clinic floor.

• Comprehensive knowledge of FQHC operations, HRSA requirements, UDS reporting, and value-based care models.

• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, and complex problem-solving skills.

• Proven financial acumen, including operational budget management, revenue cycle oversight, and resource optimization.

• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills with the ability to engage effectively across diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate high-performing multi-disciplinary senior leadership teams.

• Strong change management and organizational development expertise.

• Proficiency in MS Office suite, EHR systems, and data analytics platforms.

• Ability to work with autonomy, exercise sound executive judgment, and maintain a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.

• Deep commitment to health equity, cultural humility, and the mission of serving underserved and vulnerable populations.

Other Duties: Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions)

• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk.

• Frequent travel between all Sandhills Medical sites is required as part of the day-to-day responsibilities of this role.

• Normal business hours with flexibility for evenings and weekends, as needed.