Associate Chief Operating Officer (ACOO) Main ART/IOP

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

30d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Chief Operating Officer (ACOO) for MUSC Health Charleston Division provides executive oversight of facility operations, regulatory readiness, strategic project execution, and drives high-performance in-patient experience across University Medical Center (UMC), Ashley River Tower (ART), and Institute of Psychiatry (IOP). This role leads efforts to sustain survey readiness, proactively identifying and resolving environment of care risks, life safety concerns, and operational deficiencies. The ACOO serves as the central executive authority for building-related issues, ensuring rapid resolution and minimizing disruption to patient care. The position also oversees emergency management planning and response, in collaboration with the Charleston Division COO, ensuring organizational readiness for internal and external events, coordinating incident command structures, and maintaining compliance with emergency preparedness requirements. Additionally, the ACOO provides executive oversight for a portfolio of major and minor capital and operational projects, including renovations, infrastructure upgrades, and new construction initiatives, governing project prioritization, feasibility studies, resource alignment, and execution. The role ensures that project management and facilities-related initiatives are centrally led and coordinated. The ACOO is also responsible for driving high-performance in-patient experience metrics related to the care environment, including Press Ganey scores, ensuring cleanliness, responsiveness, safety, and overall environment of care contribute positively to patient perception and satisfaction. This leader partners with clinical and administrative stakeholders to support operations while clearly delineating accountability for facilities management, regulatory compliance, emergency preparedness, and project execution within the ACOO portfolio. The role emphasizes disciplined operational oversight, proactive risk mitigation, and a culture of accountability to ensure that all facilities consistently meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and readiness.

Requirements

Master’s degree in healthcare administration, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Minimum of 10 years of progressive healthcare operations leadership experience, preferably within an academic medical center or large integrated health system.
Demonstrated experience leading multi-department operations and large, complex initiatives.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and performance metrics.
Proven ability to lead through change and manage high-stakes operational challenges.
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent, and 10 years of progressive experience including 8 years in management/leadership roles.

Nice To Haves

Senior leadership experience in hospital operations, facilities, or Environment of Care within a complex academic medical center, preferably like MUSC Health Charleston Division
Deep expertise in regulatory and accreditation readiness, including The Joint Commission standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, Department of Public Health and Life Safety Code compliance
Extensive experience overseeing hospital facilities, infrastructure, and ensuring buildings are maintained in pristine, patient-ready condition
Demonstrated leadership in capital project oversight, including major/minor construction, renovations, and feasibility studies within active healthcare environments
Experience leading emergency management and incident command (e.g., HICS), including organizational response to internal and external events
Track record of improving environment-related patient experience metrics, including Press Ganey scores across ED, inpatient, and procedural settings

Responsibilities

Leads UMC, ART and IOP efforts to sustain survey readiness, proactively identifying and resolving environment of care risks, life safety concerns, and operational deficiencies.
Serves as the central executive authority for building-related issues, ensuring rapid resolution and minimizing disruption to patient care.
Oversees emergency management planning and response, in collaboration with the Charleston Division COO, ensuring organizational readiness for internal and external events, coordinating incident command structures, and maintaining compliance with all emergency preparedness requirements.
Provides executive oversight for a portfolio of major and minor capital and operational projects, including renovations, infrastructure upgrades, and new construction initiatives.
Governs project prioritization, feasibility studies, resource alignment, and execution to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in alignment with organizational standards.
Ensures that project management and facilities-related initiatives are centrally led and coordinated, rather than decentralized across clinical service lines.
Drives high-performance in-patient experience metrics related to the care environment, including Press Ganey scores across emergency departments, inpatient units, and procedural areas.
Ensures cleanliness, responsiveness, safety, and overall environment of care contribute positively to patient perception and satisfaction.
Partners with clinical and administrative stakeholders to support operations while clearly delineating accountability for facilities management, regulatory compliance, emergency preparedness, and project execution within the ACOO portfolio.