The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the executive team, responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and day-to-day operations of all programs and services within the organization. Reporting to the CEO and serving as a legal officer, the COO ensures operational excellence through effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies, systems, and processes. This role provides executive leadership to operations, program directors, and support departments, driving alignment with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and a mission-centered approach.

The COO partners closely with the CEO, Executive Team, and Board to shape strategy, manage operational aspects of the annual budget, and lead cross-functional initiatives that support growth and impact. This role fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, ensuring the organization remains financially strong and mission-aligned. The COO also represents the organization externally, cultivating strong relationships with funders, partners, and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS (minimum requirements):

Education and/or years of experience required:

• Master's degree in healthcare, business management/administration or related field
• Five to ten years of proven leadership experience in a senior executive role within the healthcare sector.  
• Five years of experience developing and implementing a programmatic and operational approach to a multifaceted healthcare organization.
• Five years of experience leading strategic planning efforts and shaping both short- and long-term organizational goals.
• Effective skills in organization, supervision, management, leadership, and communication, both oral and written.
• Effective interpersonal skills with tactful, courteous, and diplomatic communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Ten years of experience in senior healthcare leadership.
• Prior experience as a COO in a high-acuity healthcare organization, including IDD, long-term acute care, skilled nursing, etc.
• Knowledge and experience in educational, therapeutic, community-based, and residential programs, regulations, and systems management.

Supervision of others/decision-making aptitude (if applicable): This position supervises the following leaders and/or functions:

• Regional Vice Presidents (3) / Programs and Services
• Medical Director/Medical services
• Direction of Technology / Information Technology & Assistive Technology Department
• Director of Health Information Management / Health Information Management Department

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Demonstrates the ability to oversee operations and all related functions on a day-to-day basis with 24/7 oversight
• Demonstrates the ability to shape, articulate, and translate the organization's strategic vision into operational reality by co-developing a comprehensive operational strategic plan with the Executive Team
• Demonstrates the ability to lead the alignment of departmental objectives with organization-wide strategic goals, ensuring alignment and cohesion across operations/functional areas of the organization.
• Demonstrates ability to develop, implement, and review operating policies and procedures, along with members of the Executive Team and Operations management, ensuring regulatory and other relevant compliance
• Demonstrates the ability to efficiently and effectively utilize human, financial, and organizational resources to achieve organization objectives with continual monitoring for need and availability of resources, operating cost-effectively without sacrificing quality
• Demonstrates the ability to support the integration of clinical and non-clinical operations and ensures effective systems exist to meet the operational plan
• Champions innovation and leads organizational change initiatives to adapt to evolving needs in disability services and healthcare
• Demonstrates exceptional financial acumen by providing strategic oversight of the financial performance of operations in close partnership with the CFO; continuously monitors and analyzes financial metrics to drive informed decision-making; leads comprehensive budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning initiatives to ensure fiscal sustainability and operational efficiency
• Demonstrates ability to partner with the Chief Human Resources Officer to lead strong workforce development through recruitment and retention, employee satisfaction/engagement, maximizing employee growth/development, and succession planning
• Establishes clear work standards and expectations, monitors performance, motivates employees, utilizes coaching and correction action when necessary, and conducts performance appraisals annually
• Demonstrates the ability to efficiently delegate tasks, monitor progress, and take actions toward goal accomplishment
• Promotes a culture of inclusion, engagement, and service above self, aligned with staff and people served.
• Creates a person-centered environment with a focus on establishing systems that meet individualized client goals and acts as an advocate for individuals served
• Demonstrates the ability to facilitate the vision for family-centered behavioral care, healthcare, and educational services through the philosophy, mission, goals, and objectives of the organization
• Demonstrates the ability to assure quality services through maintenance of the organization's Quality Enhancement Program and reports quarterly to the Board of Directors
• Maintains compliance with CQL accreditation standards regarding Shared Values, Basic Assurances, and Personal Outcomes and Cognia standards for school accreditation
• Maintains all licensure standards (i.e., Title XIX, HCBS, Life Safety, Dept. of Health, or any other required licensure surveys)
• Demonstrates the ability to ensure activities comply with organizational requirements for quality management, risk management, legal stipulations, and general duty of care
• Demonstrates the ability to follow all organizational policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates transparent and timely communication across departments to align teams with organizational goals, reinforce culture, and drive accountability
• Demonstrates the ability to weigh alternative actions and make reasonable and appropriate decisions that reflect the facts of the situation in order to have the best possible outcome for all served
• Demonstrates the ability to develop consensus regarding decisions or courses of action from individuals with real or perceived conflicting interests
• Demonstrates the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with advisory boards, policymakers, referral sources, and community partners
• Demonstrates the ability to serve as a subject matter expert for donors, partners, and stakeholders, strengthening the organization's reputation and influence
• Serves as a key strategic partner to the CEO and may assume leadership responsibilities in the CEO's absence, ensuring continuity of executive functions

About Versique:

Versique: /ver-seek/ adj. being both versatile and unique; n. a high-performance recruiting firm specializing in executive leadership search, direct hire, and interim hiring solutions. 

Versique Executive, Professional, & Interim Recruiting is a locally owned and operated hiring and placement firm based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. With specialized practice areas across our three divisions, Versique delivers tailored expertise to a wide range of industries. What sets us apart is our team of recruiters—seasoned professionals who have worked in the very fields they now hire for, providing unmatched industry insight and connections.

We believe people are more than just resumes—they are transformative, unlocking the potential for organizational growth and success.

Versique is proud to be award-winning, earning recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 list for 2023. We are also consistently recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace and were named a Best Place to Work in 2022 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Let's find your people, together.

Versique is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

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