Chief Administrative Officer – Ambulatory Operations
The Chief Administrative Officer – Ambulatory Operations (CAO-AO) provides executive leadership and administrative oversight across UI Health Care's ambulatory operations and medical campus. This position is responsible for strategic planning, operational efficiency, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and fostering collaboration between clinical and administrative teams to ensure high-quality patient care and services.
Working in partnership with hospital leadership and key institutional stakeholders, the CAO-AO directs the planning, organization, and management of ambulatory services across the UI Health Care clinical enterprise. This role ensures seamless integration with functions such as finance, strategic planning, human resources, information systems, legal services, quality management, public policy, strategic marketing, and philanthropy. The CAO-AO collaborates closely with senior leadership, faculty, and external partners to drive institutional goals, optimize operational performance, and enhance patient access and experience.
Position Responsibilities:
Human Resources Management
Assess and prioritize staffing needs across hospital departments in alignment with organizational goals and patient care demands.
Provide input into the organizational HR strategy, workforce planning, and talent management initiatives.
Collaborate with HR leaders to ensure recruitment, retention, and professional development align with institutional objectives.
Support leadership development and employee engagement strategies to enhance workplace culture and performance.
Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
Promote an ethical and transparent environment to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission, state, and federal regulations.
Financial and Data Management and Analysis
Partner with senior leadership and department directors to develop, implement, and oversee operational and capital budgets.
Manage budget priorities, resource allocation, and financial forecasting to optimize cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Monitor financial performance, identify budgetary challenges, and develop solutions to address financial sustainability.
Initiate and approve programs and strategies to enhance revenue and financial performance.
Oversee financial operations of hospital departments and ensure alignment with institutional financial objectives.
Coordinate the integration and monitoring of the overall budget, ensuring optimal use of resources.
Ensure the productivity of the revenue cycle, providing guidance on coding, charge capture, and hospital billing practices.
Operations, Standards of Care, Regulatory Compliance, Quality, and Patient Satisfaction
Ensure operational consistency across all hospital departments and clinical service areas.
Provide strategic consultation and guidance to departments on meeting quality, productivity, and patient satisfaction benchmarks.
Monitor and analyze key outcome metrics to drive continuous improvement in service delivery.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and institutional policies.
Optimize operational workflows and hospital-wide processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Champion quality, patient safety, patient experience, and employee engagement, serving as a visible and accountable leader focused on key drivers of success.
Lead initiatives to continuously improve quality, outcomes, and patient safety, setting goals and key performance indicators to achieve measurable improvements.
Patient Care/Services Delivery
Lead the development and integration of innovative business models and patient care/service delivery models.
Collaborate with medical and administrative leaders to enhance access to care, operational efficiency, and patient experience.
Oversee initiatives that improve clinical workflow, optimize patient throughput, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ensure hospital departments are equipped to meet the evolving needs of patients and align with best practices in healthcare delivery.
Integrate and foster alignment across the clinical enterprise to create a unified structure that delivers high-quality patient care and services.
Planning and Goal Management
Assist in the development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan and action plans.
Monitor implementation and progress toward strategic goals, recommending adjustments as needed to maintain alignment with institutional objectives.
Leverage data analytics and industry trends to inform decision-making and organizational planning.
Develop hospital-specific growth strategies and drive operational improvements that support institutional success.
Participate in UI Health Care planning committees, contributing to the organization's strategic direction and operational planning.
Communication/Collaboration
Strengthen relationships with physicians, faculty, and community stakeholders to advance organizational priorities.
Act as the hospital’s administrative liaison with external agencies, regulatory bodies, and community organizations.
Facilitate transparent and effective communication between leadership, staff, and external partners.
Foster collaboration between hospital leadership, clinical teams, and support services to drive alignment on institutional objectives.
Collaborate with department chairs and physician leaders on physician recruitment, service contract negotiations, and clinical coverage planning.
Represent the health system's CEO in interactions with the medical staff, overseeing bylaws and fostering strong partnerships within the medical community.
Develop and nurture key external relationships, representing hospital operations to community advocacy groups and city, county, state, and national organizations.
Promote organizational identity and collaboration among medical and surgical specialists, as well as ancillary staff across all departments.
Represent hospital operations in fundraising activities in collaboration with the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
Required qualifications:
A Master’s degree in healthcare administration, business or a related discipline or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ten years of progressive management experience in healthcare operations.
Five years of executive-level leadership experience.
Proven work experience in enhancing process and performance standards, as well as a demonstrated track record of success in leading ambulatory operations to deliver high-quality patient care and services.
Experience in the development and evaluation of clinical programs.
Experience in strategic development and deployment of strategic plans.
Proven experience working effectively with and engaging physicians and other clinical leaders in a multi-disciplinary and matrix environment.
Knowledge of Joint Commission, CMS, and other state and federal regulations governing hospitals.
Detailed knowledge of practice management with the ability to quickly analyze and identify opportunities for operational and financial optimization and efficiency.
Strong financial skills and a proven ability to achieve sustainable and significant cost efficiencies on an organization-wide basis. Strong background in cost management and service improvement given the need to enhance financial performance.
Demonstrated ability to present complex information in a concise, yet comprehensive manner to Board members and medical staff, community leaders and employees.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the confidence to represent the organization in both formal and informal settings. Transparent and open communicator.
Successful track record of leading an organization to achieve high levels of patient safety and quality.
Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
Desired qualifications:
Leadership experience in health care operations that includes multiple service delivery locations and a broad array of clinical services.
Experience with value-based care models and supporting population health initiatives to advance quality and delivery of care.
Integration experience is highly desired, particularly experience in an evolving health system that includes integration of new practice sites and ancillary ambulatory operations.
Experience in an academic medical center or complex teaching hospital.
Effectiveness in assembling and leading teams.
Experience with benchmarking and using data effectively for operational decision making.
Experience in human resource management, staff development and effective administrative leadership.
Experience in capital management and facilities management including management of leased space.
Application Process: To be considered, applicants must upload a cover letter and resume (under the submission of relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Sharon Walther at sharon-walther@uiowa.edu.
This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization now or in the future.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
