Chief Operating Officer (COO)

About the role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides enterprise-wide operational leadership for a physician-owned, multi-site medical group of approximately 2,300 employees. Reporting to the Chief Executive Leadership Officer, the COO partners closely with the Board, physician leadership, and Executive Leadership team to translate strategic priorities into effective, high-performing operations. The role oversees core business and clinical operations, including clinic operations, ancillary services such as imaging, the sleep center, laboratory, physical therapy, and express clinics, as well as marketing, and electronic health record (EHR) optimization. The COO is accountable for operational excellence, growth execution, integration of new physicians and sites, and scalable infrastructure that supports quality care, efficiency, and a consistent patient and provider experience across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Enterprise Leadership and Strategy Execution

• Partners with the CEO, Board, physician leadership, and Executive Leadership team to translate strategic priorities into disciplined, enterprise-wide execution.
• Serves as the senior operating partner to physician owners, ensuring the organization runs smoothly, consistently, and in support of high-quality patient care.

Executive Leadership Committee Leadership and Board Interface

• Serves as the administrative leader of the Executive Leadership Committee, including agenda development, preparation of materials, facilitation of meetings, and follow-through on
• Acts as a gatekeeper for matters advancing to the Board, ensuring issues are well-vetted, aligned with strategy, and operationally ready.

Enterprise Operations and Site Support

• Provides Executive Leadership oversight of enterprise operations, ensuring the organization functions as a reliable central resource for more than 90+ clinical sites.
• Establishes operating standards, escalation paths, and decision-making processes to ensure consistent execution and timely issue resolution.
• Ensures operational consistency and responsiveness so physicians and site leaders can focus on patient care.

Standardization and Continuous Improvement

• Drives practical improvements in efficiency, reliability, and scalability and ensures changes are adopted and sustained.
• Oversees operational approaches that support patient access and clinic flow, including scheduling and capacity management.

Growth Enablement and Physician Integration

• Ensures operational readiness for new sites, service lines, and
• Consults on physician recruitment by representing operational capabilities and integration planning; does not own recruitment.
• Oversees operational onboarding and integration planning for new

Centralized Marketing Strategy

• Provides Executive Leadership leadership for the centralized marketing strategy that supports site performance and organizational growth.
• Ensures consistent branding, clear prioritization, and marketing execution aligned with operational realities.

Technology and EHR Enablement

• Oversees enterprise EHR optimization and operational technology enablement in partnership with clinical, IT, and Executive Leadership leaders.
• Ensures systems and workflows support efficient operations and a consistent provider and patient experience.

Facilities and Business Continuity

• Provides Executive Leadership oversight of facilities strategy, including space planning, renovations, and site readiness.
• Partners with Human Resources on workforce-related continuity planning and operational readiness during disruptions.

Operational Performance and Accountability

• Sets clear expectations for operational performance and regularly reviews results to identify strengths, gaps, and priorities.
• Uses practical data and frontline insight to guide decisions and drive

Compliance, Quality, and Risk Partnership

• Partners with the Chief Legal Officer and Executive Leadership team to support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Ensures operational practices support patient safety and quality of

Leadership and Culture

• Builds and develops high-performing operational leaders with clear accountability and a strong service mindset.
• Models steady, decisive leadership and fosters trust, collaboration, and ownership across the organization.

Experience & Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive healthcare operations leadership, including senior responsibility in a multi-site, physician-owned or physician-led medical group or comparable ambulatory
• Demonstrated success leading complex, distributed operations at scale and supporting centralized service models.
• Proven leader of leaders with the ability to build strong teams, set expectations, and drive accountability without micromanagement.
• Experience partnering effectively with physicians, Executive Leadership teams, and governing bodies, including Boards and physician committees.
• Strong track record of translating strategy into execution across enterprise
• Experience overseeing operational enablement functions such as clinic operations, ancillary services, centralized marketing, facilities, and EHR or operational technology optimization.
• Sound business judgment, Executive Leadership presence, and clear, direct communication
• Participation in relevant industry associations such as AMGA and MGMA

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field
• Ongoing professional development in healthcare operations, leadership, or practice management expected.

Leadership Competencies:

• Leadership : Assesses talent effectively, builds strong leadership teams, and places the right people in the right roles to drive performance.
• Collaboration : Works effectively across physicians, Executive Leaderships, and site leaders to align priorities and drive results.
• Communication : Communicates clearly, directly, and appropriately with stakeholders at all levels, including the Board and physician owners.
• Strategic Agility : Anticipates change, adapts quickly, and translates strategy into practical action in a complex healthcare environment.
• Decision Quality and Accountability : Makes timely, well-reasoned decisions, owns outcomes, and holds leaders accountable for execution and results.

Management Scope:

The Chief Operating Officer directly manages nine senior leaders overseeing key operational areas, including ancillary services, centralized marketing, EHR optimization, enterprise project management for facilities and new acquisitions, and the Director of Operations. Through these leaders, the COO provides Executive Leadership oversight to an organization of approximately 200+ team members, with accountability for leadership development, performance expectations, and consistent execution across a complex, multi-site operating model.

Work Environment:

This is a full-time, on-site Executive Leadership leadership position based at Summit’s administrative headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. The role requires frequent in-person engagement across clinical sites, board meetings, Executive Leadership meetings, and physician settings. Candidates must be available for travel within the region and are expected to maintain a strong on-site leadership presence.

Physical Requirements:

This role is primarily office-based and requires regular use of a computer, telephone, and other office equipment, as well as effective verbal and written communication. Occasional travel to clinical sites is required and may involve walking, standing, or navigating stairs. The position requires the ability to occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the role.