Chief Operating Officer (Austin)

Your future role at a glance

Location: Austin, TX

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Benefits that help you thrive

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

How you’ll make an impact in this role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for the operational performance of the hospitals and other key clinical areas. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of Texas, the COO provides leadership for day-to-day operations while driving initiatives that improve operational efficiency, quality, patient safety, financial performance, physician engagement, patient experience and growth. The COO partners closely with physicians, clinical leaders, contracted services and executive leadership to advance organizational priorities and deliver exceptional care to the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for hospital operations, ensuring excellence in quality, patient safety, service, and operational performance.
• Partner with Hospital leadership and Market leadership team to develop operational plans that support growth initiatives.
• Lead financial stewardship through effective management of operating budgets, labor productivity, and resource utilization.
• Drive initiatives that improve patient access, capacity, throughput, and operational efficiency.
• Foster strong partnerships with physicians, medical staff, and clinical leaders to support high-quality care and organizational performance.
• Ensure ongoing regulatory compliance, accreditation readiness, and operational preparedness.
• Lead construction projects from proposal to completion
• Identify opportunities to expand services, improve care delivery, and enhance organizational performance.
• Recruit, develop, and lead high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with Board members, community leaders, and key stakeholders to advance the hospital's mission and strategic priorities.

What minimum requirements you’ll need

Education:

• Bachelor's degree with 10 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required, with 5 of those years being in leadership/management.

What additional preferences we're seeking

Required

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Nursing, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, including at least five years in a senior operational leadership role.
• Demonstrated success leading hospital operations within a complex healthcare organization.
• Experience overseeing financial performance, labor management, quality improvement, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and operational improvement initiatives.

Preferred Experience

The ideal candidate will possess experience in:

• Hospital operations, including financial management, labor optimization, patient throughput, facilities management, procedural services, credentialing, and medical staff operations.
• Leading regulatory preparedness, accreditation surveys, quality improvement, and patient safety initiatives.
• Creating operational capacity, expanding access to care, and developing new clinical programs and services.
• Building physician partnerships and leading multidisciplinary teams across a matrixed healthcare organization.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

• Develop and execute strategic initiatives that advance operational performance and organizational growth.
• Make informed, data-driven decisions while balancing quality, safety, operational excellence, and financial stewardship.
• Build trusted partnerships with physicians, executive leaders, associates, Board members, and community stakeholders.
• Lead with confidence through change, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and sound judgment in a dynamic healthcare environment.
• Develop and inspire high-performing teams through coaching, accountability, and talent development.
• Model Ascension's Mission, Vision, Values, and Catholic Ministry Identity while fostering a culture of compassion, integrity, inclusion, and service.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) ( poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) ( poster.

Fraud prevention notice

Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.

E-Verify statement

Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here ( for more information.

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