Description
Position Summary
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a senior executive leader of Access Dental Care and is responsible for overseeing the organization's day-to-day operations, administrative systems, workforce coordination, and operational infrastructure. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO works closely with the Dental Director to ensure the efficient, sustainable, and mission-driven delivery of high-quality oral healthcare services throughout North Carolina.
While the Dental Director provides clinical leadership and oversight of patient care standards, the COO is responsible for operational execution, workflow management, staffing support, financial operations, organizational systems, and cross-departmental coordination. The COO helps bridge strategic planning with daily operations to support organizational growth, efficiency, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Requirements
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
• Oversee daily organization-wide operations across clinical, administrative, mobile, and community-based programs.
• Implement and maintain operational workflows, policies, and systems that improve efficiency, patient access, and organizational consistency.
• Oversee organizational growth, expansion initiatives, and implementation of new programs and services.
• Monitor operational performance metrics and identify opportunities for process improvement and cost containment.
Clinical Operations Support
• Collaborate closely with the Dental Director to support provider scheduling, staffing coordination, patient flow, and operational support systems.
• Ensure operational infrastructure supports safe, efficient, and patient-centered care.
• Manage operational support related to facilities, fleet operations, including trucks and cars, equipment, inventory, and supply chain management.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, infection control standards, grant requirements, and healthcare regulations.
Financial & Administrative Oversight
• Partner with the CEO and CFO/Practice Manager to support budget development, operational planning, and resource management.
• Monitor operational expenditures, staffing efficiency, and organizational performance indicators.
• Manage vendors, contracts, and procurement activities.
Workforce & Organizational Leadership
• Provide leadership and oversight for operational, administrative, and support staff.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, retention, staff development, and performance management initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven organizational culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and service excellence.
Technology & Facilities Management
• Manage operational aspects of EHR systems, reporting tools, technology infrastructure, and organizational data systems.
• Ensure effective management of facilities, fleet vehicles, equipment, inventory, and organizational assets.
• Coordinate operational planning related to facility maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and equipment replacement.
Executive Leadership & Community Engagement
• Participate in strategic planning, executive leadership meetings, and organizational decision-making.
• Provide operational reports and updates to the CEO and Board of Directors as requested.
• In coordination with the CEO, represent the organization with community partners, vendors, healthcare organizations, and external stakeholders as appropriate.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree required; Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master of Public Health (MPH), or related advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive healthcare operational leadership experience required.
• Clinical operations experience required; dental, nonprofit healthcare, FQHC, or community health experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of healthcare operations, compliance, workforce management, quality improvement, and operational performance metrics.
• Experience managing multi-site healthcare operations and interdisciplinary teams preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with EHR systems, operational analytics, and healthcare technology platforms.
Preferred Characteristics
• Commitment to improving access to care for underserved and vulnerable populations.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong operational and organizational management skills.
• Ability to balance mission-driven healthcare delivery with operational and financial sustainability.
Reporting Structure
• Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
• Works closely with the Dental Director and executive leadership team.
• Supervises operational, administrative, and support staff as assigned.
Work Environment
This position will require travel to support organizational operations, facilities, partnerships, and expansion initiatives.
