Chief Operating Officer

Ritter Center•San Rafael, CA

2d•$200,000 - $250,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a member of Ritter Center’s Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic leadership and hands-on operational oversight of medical care, behavioral health, case management, the Community Market, and facilities. The COO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is based at Ritter Center’s main campus in San Rafael, California. This full-time, exempt position focuses on developing department managers, establishing clear workflows and accountability, and maintaining an accessible leadership presence. The COO ensures services operate effectively and align with Ritter Center’s mission to prevent and resolve homelessness, improve health outcomes, and promote health equity for underserved communities. The COO partners with the CEO to implement organizational strategy and leads efforts to strengthen operational performance, optimize service delivery, improve patient and client outcomes, ensure regulatory compliance, engage the workforce, and support financial sustainability. The role integrates healthcare, behavioral health, case management, housing support, and community-based services, and contributes to strategic planning, quality improvement, risk management, compliance, facilities management, and organizational development. The COO oversees operational planning and performance, including policies, procedures, workflows, performance measures, budgeting, resource allocation, facilities, technology, and organizational readiness. The role works with clinical and administrative leaders to improve care delivery, coordinate services, support qualified clinical leadership and staff development, and use data and technology responsibly. The COO directly supervises and develops department leaders and program managers, builds external partnerships, and presents operational, quality, compliance, and strategic initiatives to the Board as requested. Other duties may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least seven years of progressively responsible healthcare operations leadership experience, including responsibility for clinical services delivery, staffing, and operational performance.
At least five years supervising managers, directors, or senior leaders.
Demonstrated experience improving healthcare workflows, implementing organizational change, and leading multidisciplinary teams through measurable operational improvements.
Strong knowledge of healthcare operations, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, budgeting, and strategic planning.
Demonstrated experience mentoring managers, strengthening their independent leadership capabilities, and establishing clear expectations and accountability.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish credibility with clinical and nonclinical staff, make decisions, and follow through on implementation.
Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving abilities, including effective use of performance data and technology to improve operations; openness to learning and applying AI tools responsibly.
Ability to collaborate effectively with medical, behavioral health, and social service professionals.
Demonstrated commitment to health equity, trauma-informed care, and serving vulnerable populations.
Valid California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
Ability to satisfy Ritter Center employment requirements, including pre-employment TB screening.
Must complete a background check and Livescan fingerprinting.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Business Administration, Social Work Administration, or a related field.
Clinical professional background, such as nursing or advanced practice.
Experience in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), community health center, integrated healthcare organization, or similar nonprofit healthcare environment. Candidates with substantial relevant leadership experience in other healthcare settings and demonstrated ability to learn new service models and requirements will also be considered.

Responsibilities

Serve on the Executive Leadership Team and participate in organizational planning, policy development, and decision-making.
Partner with the CEO to implement the strategic plan and translate organizational priorities into operational plans, measurable objectives, and initiatives.
Lead organizational change and promote accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Develop and monitor key performance indicators and operational dashboards.
Oversee operations for medical care, behavioral health, case management, the Community Market, and facilities in coordination with executive, clinical, and administrative leaders.
Integrate and coordinate healthcare, behavioral health, housing, case management, and supportive services.
Assess daily operations and establish practical policies, procedures, workflows, responsibilities, and escalation pathways; train staff and monitor implementation.
Identify opportunities to improve performance, productivity, and resource utilization, and ensure departments meet organizational standards and expectations.
Maintain an on-site presence in service areas, remain accessible to staff and managers, and resolve operational barriers affecting patient and client experiences.
Lead improvements in clinical and program operations with the CMO/Medical Director and other clinical leaders, including patient access, staffing, provider utilization, care coordination, and quality outcomes.
Partner with clinical leaders to implement evidence-based practices and consistent care delivery standards, while ensuring discipline-specific guidance and supervision are assigned to appropriately qualified leaders.
Support structured onboarding, clinical consultation, and ongoing professional development for NPs, PAs, and other clinical staff; identify clinical support gaps and work with leaders to address them.
Work with program leaders to monitor caseloads, service timeliness, documentation, client outcomes, and program commitments.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including HRSA, FQHC, Medi-Cal, Medicare, grant, contract, accreditation, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
Oversee compliance programs, quality improvement, patient safety, risk mitigation, audits, regulatory reviews, corrective action plans, and readiness for external reviews and site visits.
Direct operational activities to achieve budgeted results and strategic objectives; partner with the CFO and department leaders on budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning.
Monitor operational performance and resource allocation, and develop systems that support efficiency, revenue optimization, and responsible stewardship.
Assist with grant, contract, and funding opportunities that support organizational growth and sustainability.
Oversee facilities operations, expansion projects, and space planning; ensure facilities support safe, effective, and compliant services.
Partner with leadership on future facility, technology, and infrastructure needs and support emergency preparedness and business continuity.
Work with IT and administrative leadership to improve technology systems, workflows, data use, information systems, and reporting tools.
Evaluate and implement AI tools to reduce administrative burden and improve workflows and decision-making while protecting patient and organizational information and ensuring staff training and human review.
Supervise, coach, and develop department leaders and program managers through regular individual meetings, development goals, and timely feedback.
Establish performance expectations, supervision and team meeting practices, and accountability measures across operational areas.
Develop managers’ leadership skills, including delegation, expectation-setting, priority management, performance management, independent decision-making, and recognition of when specialized expertise is needed.
Partner with HR and clinical leaders on competency-based career pathways, development plans, and advancement opportunities that support engagement and retention.
Model confident, decisive leadership grounded in humility, respectful listening, curiosity, and willingness to learn; foster teamwork, respect, equity, and continuous learning.
Support recruitment, development, and retention of an effective workforce.
Represent Ritter Center in community partnerships, professional associations, and stakeholder meetings; build relationships that improve access, referrals, care coordination, and shared practice.
Present operational, quality, compliance, and strategic initiatives to the Board of Directors as requested.
Perform other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.