Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Executive & Strategic Leadership

• Serves as the primary operational leader of Sandhills Medical, partnering with the CEO to shape and execute the organization’s 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 organization’s 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 Medical’s 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 organization’s 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 organization’s strategic priorities.

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

Requirements:

• Education: Master’s 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 10–15 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.