SVP/Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Operations

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is seeking an accomplished healthcare operations executive to serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Operations. This is a newly created, enterprise-level role designed to bring cohesion, operational discipline, and scalability to NGHS’s rapidly growing physician and ambulatory enterprise.

Reporting to the Chief Clinical Officer and serving as the system’s senior administrative leader for clinical operations, the SVP/COO will be responsible for the end-to-end operational performance and integration of NGHS’s employed physician platform, including multispecialty practices, specialty institutes, and affiliated physician organizations.

The Opportunity

NGHS has grown significantly over the past several years, expanding from one hospital to a seven-hospital system with an extensive ambulatory footprint and multiple employed physician organizations. As the system continues to scale, integrate new assets, and prepare for value-based care, NGHS is intentionally strengthening its clinical operations infrastructure.

The SVP/COO, Clinical Operations will play a central role in transforming a collection of high-performing physician assets into a fully integrated, enterprise-level clinical operating platform. This leader will translate system strategy into executable operating models, standardized workflows, scalable infrastructure, and measurable performance outcomes—while preserving the strong physician relationships, cultures, and brands that underpin NGHS’s success.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for the operational performance of NGHS’s employed physician enterprise and ambulatory platform.
• Establish a cohesive, enterprise-wide operating model that clarifies governance, roles, workflows, and accountability across physician organizations.
• Partner with physician leaders and system executives to advance service line development, ambulatory growth, and clinical integration across settings.
• Lead financial and operational discipline for clinical operations, including budgeting, performance monitoring, dashboards, and reporting cadence.
• Strengthen access, referral integrity, and network performance across the region.
• Oversee physician alignment and recruitment strategy, ensuring a scalable, sustainable workforce model.
• Ensure infrastructure, systems, and resources are in place to support growth, acquisitions, and increasing provider demand.
• Foster strong collaboration with physicians and administrators, operating effectively in dyad leadership models.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a seasoned healthcare operations executive with deep experience leading large, multispecialty physician enterprises in complex health system environments. This individual will bring strong execution capability, credibility with physicians, and a pragmatic approach to integration and performance improvement.

Key qualifications include:

• Significant senior executive experience leading ambulatory and physician enterprise operations within a health system or integrated delivery network.
• Demonstrated success integrating medical groups and standardizing operations while respecting local culture and physician identity.
• Deep understanding of ambulatory operations, physician compensation, access management, service line development, and enterprise infrastructure.
• Experience preparing organizations for population health and value-based care.
• Comfort operating in matrixed and dyad leadership environments with physician leaders.
• Clinical background (e.g., nursing or other licensed profession) is an asset but not required.
• Master’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field required; experience with Lean or continuous improvement methodologies preferred.

Leadership Style & Cultural Fit

NGHS values leaders who are relational, visible, and deeply committed to the communities they serve. Success in this role will require humility, approachability, and the ability to lead through influence rather than mandate. The SVP/COO must balance operational rigor with cultural sensitivity, earning trust while driving meaningful change.

About Northeast Georgia Health System

Northeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit, community-anchored health system serving more than one million people across Northeast Georgia. Through seven hospitals, an extensive ambulatory network, and multiple physician organizations, NGHS is committed to improving the health of the communities it serves through clinical excellence, innovation, and stewardship.

Leadership Style & Cultural Fit

NGHS values leaders who are relational, visible, and deeply committed to the communities they serve. Success in this role will require humility, approachability, and the ability to lead through influence rather than mandate. The SVP/COO must balance operational rigor with cultural sensitivity, earning trust while driving meaningful change.

Application Process

This search is being conducted on behalf of Northeast Georgia Health System by Korn Ferry. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be handled confidentially.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and expression of interest through Korn Ferry.