Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing health-care disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPoC communities
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Justice-impacted communities

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. The WEA team’s partnership model is collaborative and allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities.

Purpose of the position

The fractional COO is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the operational performance and efficiency of WEA's corporate structure. This role encompasses the responsibilities requiring exceptional leadership skills, project management expertise, and a deep understanding of healthcare operations. The fractional COO will collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence, ensure compliance with regulatory or contract requirements, and deliver high-quality healthcare services across multiple regions.

Operational Leadership:

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to regional teams, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Will oversee implementation of executive decision-making, and serve as the primary interface for many divisions with the organization.
• Responsible for ensuring WEA clinical operations are being stood up, operating and demobilized in an optimal and efficient manner, including:
  • HIV street medicine
  • mobile unit based school based health centers
  • reentry programs focused on substance use
  • tribal health programs
  • public health extension services
• Provide administrative oversight of all operational budgets working closely with the controller.
• Represent WEA to external stakeholders regarding operations
• Responsible for advising the clinical leadership team regarding the development of these operations and providing as much operational support, as possible.
• Will oversee the development of appropriate policies and procedures, as indicated.
• Will attend all relevant meetings, as indicated by the CEO
• Will supervise the following reports:
  • regional director of operations
  • national director of administrative operations
  • Public information officer/chief pharmacy officer
• Oversee day-to-day operations of regional offices, including resource allocation, budget management, and performance monitoring.
• Monitor site activities and ensure fulfillment of the community’s needs for quality healthcare services.
• Develop innovative initiatives to motivate and develop team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Oversee operations across the organization, including clinical departments, to ensure efficient service delivery, contract and regulatory compliance.
• Implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinate project activities and act as the liaison between internal and external stakeholders, facilitating communication and resolving issues as needed.
• Lead the launch of new programs and initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams to define project objectives, deliverables, and timelines.
• Coordinate with local regional teams to facilitate the transition and handoff of programs, providing guidance and support to ensure successful implementation.
• Track the success and performance of launched programs, monitoring key metrics and outcomes to assess impact and inform future decision-making.

Team Management:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of regional directors and project managers, ensuring effective performance and alignment with project objectives.
• Delegate appropriate authority and responsibility to improve management techniques and practices, promoting accountability and autonomy within the team.
• Set clear performance expectations and provide regular feedback to ensure individual and team success.
• Establish and maintain a reporting structure where regional operations leads report directly to the Regional Operations Manager, ensuring clear communication channels and alignment of objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Cultivate strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clinics, partners, and regulatory bodies, to ensure seamless coordination and collaboration.

Performance Measurement and Compliance:

• Develop and implement performance metrics and quality improvement processes to monitor operational performance and drive continuous improvement and meet contract requirements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including HIPAA and OSHA, by implementing policies, procedures, and controls.
• Conduct data analysis to identify trends, problems, and opportunities for improvement, informing decision-making and strategic planning.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in operations management, project management, and healthcare leadership, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of healthcare operations, regulatory requirements, and quality improvement processes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in data analysis, financial reporting, and project management tools and methodologies.
• Commitment to the provision of quality healthcare services and the ability to work with diverse populations.

Preferred Skills

• Flexible, adaptive, and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Commitment to mentoring and coaching staff to build internal leadership and promote professional growth.
• Positive attitude, integrity, and a desire to drive positive change and innovation.