Chief Operations Officer

Our Mission: To Make Independence a Gift for All

Anne Carlsen Center (Anne Carlsen) is a non-profit organization which has been providing supports and services for 80 years to individuals in North Dakota with developmental disability or delay. Rich in tradition, Anne Carlsen has positioned itself on the cutting edge of innovation with unique programs, creative therapies and advanced assistive technologies that meet the specific needs of those we serve.

Location:

Fargo, or Jamestown

Shift

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Job Schedule

Full-Time, Exempt

Weekly Hours

Up to 40

JOB SUMMARY:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the executive team, responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and day-to-day operations of all programs and services at Anne Carlsen. Reporting to the CEO and serving as a legal officer of the organization, the COO ensures operational excellence through effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies, systems, and processes. This role provides executive leadership to program directors and support departments, driving alignment with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and a mission-centered approach.

The COO partners closely with the CEO, Executive Team, and Board to shape strategy, manage operational aspects of the annual budget, and lead cross-functional initiatives that support growth and impact. This role fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, ensuring the organization remains financially strong and mission aligned. The COO also represents Anne Carlsen externally, cultivating strong relationships with funders, partners, and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS (minimum requirements)

Education and/or years’ experience required:

• Master’s degree in healthcare, business management/administration or related field
• Five years of proven leadership experience in a senior executive role within the healthcare sector.
• Five years of experience developing and implementing a programmatic and operational approach to a multifaceted healthcare organization.
• Five years of experience leading strategic planning efforts and shaping both short- and long-term organizational goals.
• Effective skills in organization, supervision, management, leadership and communication both oral and written.
• Effective interpersonal skills with tactful, courteous, and diplomatic communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Ten years of experience in senior healthcare leadership.
• Prior experience as a COO in a healthcare organization.
• Knowledge and experience in educational, therapeutic, community-based, and residential programs, regulations and systems management.

Supervision of others/decision making aptitude (if applicable):

This position supervises multiple leaders and/or functions across the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Demonstrates the ability to oversee operations and all related functions on a day-to-day basis with 24/7 oversight
• Demonstrates the ability to shape, articulate, and translate the organization’s strategic vision into operational reality by co-developing a comprehensive operational strategic plan with the Executive Team
• Demonstrates the ability to lead the alignment of departmental objectives with organization-wide strategic goals, ensuring alignment and cohesion across operations/functional areas of the organization.
• Demonstrates ability to develop, implement, and review operating policies and procedures, along with members of the Executive Team and Operations management, ensuring regulatory and other relevant compliance
• Demonstrates the ability to efficiently and effectively utilize human, financial, and organizational resources to achieve organization objectives with continual monitoring for need and availability of resources operating in a cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality
• Demonstrates the ability to support the integration of clinical and non-clinical operations and ensures effective systems exist to meet the operational plan
• Champions innovation and leads organizational change initiatives to adapt to evolving needs in disability services and healthcare
• Demonstrates exceptional financial acumen by providing strategic oversight of the financial performance of operations in close partnership with the CFO; continuously monitors and analyzes financial metrics to drive informed decision-making; leads comprehensive budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning initiatives to ensure fiscal sustainability and operational efficiency
• Demonstrates ability to partner with the Chief Human Resources Officer to lead strong workforce development through recruitment and retention, employee satisfaction/engagement, maximizing employee growth/development, and succession planning
• Establishes clear work standards and expectations, monitors performance, motivates employees, utilizes coaching and correction action when necessary, and conducts performance appraisals annually
• Demonstrates the ability to efficiently delegates tasks, monitors progress, takes actions towards goal accomplishment
• Promotes a culture of inclusion, engagement, and service above self, aligned with staff and people served.
• Creates a person-centered environment with a focus on establishing systems that meet individualized client goals and acts as an advocate for individuals served
• Demonstrates the ability to facilitate the vision for family-centered behavioral care, healthcare and educational services through the philosophy, mission, goals and objectives of Anne Carlsen
• Demonstrates the ability to assure quality services through maintenance of the Anne Carlsen Quality Enhancement Program and reports quarterly to the Board of Directors
• Maintains compliance with CQL accreditation standards regarding Shared Values, Basic Assurances, and Personal Outcomes and Cognia standards for school accreditation
• Maintains all licensure standards (i.e., Title XIX, HCBS, Life Safety, Dept. of Health, or any other required licensure surveys)
• Demonstrates the ability to ensure activities comply with organizational requirements for quality management, risk management, legal stipulations, and general duty of care
• Demonstrates the ability to follow all Anne Carlsen policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates transparent and timely communication across departments to align teams with organizational goals, reinforce culture, and drive accountability
• Demonstrates the ability to weigh alternative actions and make reasonable and appropriate decisions that reflect the facts of the situation in order to have the best possible outcome for all served
• Demonstrates the ability to develop consensus regarding decisions or courses of actions from individuals with real or perceived conflicting interests
• Demonstrates the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with advisory boards, policy makers, referral sources and community partners.
• Demonstrates the ability to serve as a subject matter expert for donors, partners, and stakeholders, strengthening organization reputation and influence.
• Serves as a key strategic partner to the CEO and may assume leadership responsibilities in the CEO’s absence, ensuring continuity of executive functions

Benefits:

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Employer Paid Life & Disability
• 401(k) & Profit-Sharing Plan
• Assurity Voluntary Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Great working environment and ability to strengthen your community!

Employment with the Anne Carlsen Center is contingent upon passing our mandatory drug test, background checks, I-9 document verification, and compliance to ourmandatory flu policy. Anne Carlsen is a drug-free, tobacco-free work environment.

Anne Carlsen is an equal opportunity employer and complies fully with all federal, state, and local employment laws and will provide equal employment and advancement opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, the presence of any mental or physical disability, status with regard to public assistance or marriage, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.