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

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the senior operations leader for Colonial Healthcare, a part of Optum. The COO directs and coordinates all operational activities to drive operational excellence, innovation, patient experience, and quality measures by aligning strategies with organizational goals, streamlining processes, fostering compliance, and leading key talent.

Leadership Expectations

• Act as a true enterprise operator, balancing near‑term execution with long‑term scalability
• Provide visible, steady leadership through complexity, ambiguity, and change, while effectively influencing teams and stakeholders
• Influence across matrixed organizations without relying solely on direct authority
• Develop strong successor talent and leadership depth across operational team(s)
• Be an engaged leader who collaborates well with their team of regional leaders
• Drive proactive performance while ensuring consistent, data‑driven reporting

Primary 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

Required Qualifications

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

Benefits and Compensation

Pay is based on several factors including local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, and more. The salary for this role will range from $159,300 to $273,200 annually for full‑time employment.

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Incentive and recognition programs
• Equity stock purchase
• 401(k) contribution (subject to eligibility requirements)

Equal Employment Opportunity

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.