Chief Operations Officer, COO - South Carolina - Colonial Healthcare, a part of Optum

UnitedHealth Group•Sumter, SC

18h•$159,300 - $273,200•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the senior operations leader for Colonial Healthcare, a part of Optum responsible for directing and coordinating all operational activities for the organization to drive operational excellence, innovation, patient experience, and quality measures by aligning strategies with organizational goals, streamlining processes, fostering compliance, leading and managing key talent and ensuring compliance therein. The COO will lead and mentor a management team to deliver measurable, cost-effective results that will make achieving organizational goals possible. The COO ensures that the organization has proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to support the business now and in the future. Focused on efficiency and outcomes, the COO delivers impactful solutions that balance financial performance with exceptional care delivery for sustainable growth.

Requirements

7+ years of experience with increasing management responsibility (within clinic operations)
2+ years of hands-on experience with P&L / budget and making business decisions based upon financial reports
Experience with medical cost management, HEDIS quality metrics
Experience with creating / implementing policies for efficient operational processes
Experience in both managed care and fee-for-service based models
Proficient computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, email systems, and web-based programs
Proven solid ability to analyze operations working with senior leadership on operational efficiencies
Proven ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of health care professionals and staff, both in and outside of the local care delivery organization
Proven ability to travel to all clinics in South Carolina

Nice To Haves

5+ years of clinical experience
5+ years of operational leadership experience
Experience managing remote staff, preferably leadership level
Proven change leadership and transformation experience
Familiarity with AI systems and utilization within healthcare and leadership
Proven exceptional executive communication skills

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day strategic and operational leadership across South Carolina clinic operations, translating enterprise and market strategy into clear priorities, disciplined execution plans, and measurable outcomes for clinic teams, administrative leaders, and regional partners
Lead the business through a strong dyad partnership with physician and clinical leaders, aligning operational, clinical, and administrative priorities to advance patient access, care experience, quality, affordability, clinician well-being, and overall business performance
Own operational performance management for clinics, including daily operating rhythms, key performance indicators, access and capacity, staffing effectiveness, patient experience, quality measures, compliance, productivity, and timely resolution of barriers impacting clinic performance
Drive financial performance and disciplined stewardship of the business, including P&L accountability, budget development, expense management, SG&A oversight, revenue optimization, value-based care performance, fee-for-service operations, and action planning to meet financial and operational targets
Advance growth and market development by partnering across clinical, operational, finance, payer, and enterprise teams to identify opportunities for clinic expansion, service line optimization, provider and patient growth, referral performance, and improved market competitiveness
Build, lead, and develop a strong, high-performing clinic operations and administrative leadership team by setting clear expectations, strengthening accountability, coaching talent, supporting succession planning, and ensuring leaders have the tools and direction needed to deliver consistent results
Champion a positive, inclusive, and team-focused culture that supports engagement, retention, leadership development, transparent communication, and shared ownership of outcomes across clinic, administrative, clinical, and regional teams
Partner across matrixed enterprise functions to remove barriers, standardize best practices, support change management, strengthen operational processes, and ensure clinics have the infrastructure, reporting, and resources required to perform reliably and grow sustainably