Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Laredo, TX

Community Health Systems•Laredo, TX

About The Position

Laredo Medical Center is Laredo's largest hospital — a 326-bed licensed acute care facility offering a range of inpatient and outpatient services. Laredo Medical Center's quality of care has been recognized by respected agencies and national accrediting bodies. LMC is an accredited hospital by the Joint Commission. LMC also earned advanced certification as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, and it received the designation as a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care service provider from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Additionally, LMC has just been conferred the designation of Chest Pain Accredited v6 with Primary PCI Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology. LMC is also accredited as an MBSAQIP for its bariatric program, the first hospital in Laredo to achieve the Center for Excellence designation for this program. The hospital also is home to the largest emergency center in the community with an Advanced Level III Trauma Designation. LMC grew its footprint in the region by constructing its first stand-alone emergency room, Laredo Medical Center - North Central ER, in early 2020. Additionally, LMC is the only hospital in the community with a dedicated unit for bone and joint services, including robotic-assisted surgery for total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements. The LMC primary care residency programs for family medicine and internal medicine are making an impact on the care patients receive in the community. Now with a second cohort of residents, this is the city's first nationally accredited graduate medical education programs to train future generations of physicians. We believe in the power of people to create great care. We're 1,200 healthcare professionals strong, and work hard every day to be a place of healing, caring and connection for patients and families in the community we call home. Job Summary The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for the overall operational management and strategic execution of non-nursing departments within the hospital. This role oversees key business functions including patient throughput, service line development, resource utilization, operational efficiency, and revenue growth. The COO collaborates with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and other senior leaders to ensure financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, and exceptional patient care outcomes. This position is also designed to develop future executive leaders, with the expectation of preparing for a potential promotion to a Chief Executive Officer role at another location. As part of the CEO Development Program, this position will require relocation within an acceptable timeframe for promotion/transfer.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field required
Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare Administration (MHA), required
7-9 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, including 3–5 years in operational or executive-level management roles with responsibility for multiple departments or service lines required
Strong executive leadership and strategic planning skills, with the ability to drive operational performance and lead cross-functional initiatives.
Advanced knowledge of hospital operations, including finance, facilities, ancillary services, and regulatory compliance.
Exceptional business acumen, including the ability to interpret financial statements, drive cost control strategies, and support revenue growth.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility with physicians, department leaders, and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to develop, coach, and retain high-performing teams, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience overseeing multiple hospital departments or service lines preferred

Responsibilities

Provides operational oversight of assigned non-nursing departments, ensuring high-quality service delivery, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Collaborates with the CEO and CFO to develop, monitor, and manage strategic business plans and financial goals, including revenue growth and expense control.
Drives process improvement initiatives that enhance patient throughput, resource utilization, and operational outcomes.
Partners with the CEO to identify opportunities for business development, service line expansion, and physician recruitment aligned with community needs.
Supports medical staff relationships by addressing operational concerns, facilitating communication, and strengthening physician engagement.
Reviews department-level performance metrics and collaborates with managers on corrective action plans and ongoing improvement.
Coaches and mentors department leaders to build leadership capacity, identify development opportunities, and share operational best practices.
Contributes to budgeting and capital planning, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support strategic priorities.
Ensures operations comply with internal policies, external regulations, and accreditation standards.
Participates in executive leadership meetings, strategic planning activities, and board presentations as requested.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
Complies with all policies and standards.