VICE PRESIDENT, ARKANSAS MARKET CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Our Mission

To improve the health of the communities we serve through contemporary, innovative, quality healthcare solutions.

Schedule: Full-time Exempt

What You’ll Do

The Vice President, Market Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Arkansas Market serves as a key member of the Arkansas Market Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for the operational performance of all assigned facilities, ambulatory services, and operational support functions within the Arkansas Market. Reporting to the SVP, Market President - Arkansas, the Market COO provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure exceptional patient care, operational excellence, financial stewardship, workforce engagement, and sustainable growth.

The Market COO partners closely with market and system leaders to execute organizational priorities, drive operational efficiencies, improve quality and patient experience outcomes, and support the long-term strategic vision of Freeman Health System throughout Northwest Arkansas. This role serves as a champion of operational integration, accountability, continuous improvement, and a culture centered on patients, providers, and employees.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Market Operations

• Provide executive leadership for day-to-day operations across Arkansas Market hospitals, ambulatory locations, and designated service lines.

• Partner with the Market President and executive leadership team to develop and execute strategic initiatives that advance organizational goals.

• Lead market-wide operational planning efforts that align with facility, market, and system priorities.

• Drive operational integration and standardization across market entities to improve efficiency, quality, and consistency.

• Foster innovation and continuous improvement in operational processes and service delivery.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure efficient utilization of personnel, facilities, technology, and resources across the Arkansas Market.

• Lead initiatives focused on throughput, capacity management, patient flow, productivity, and operational performance.

• Monitor key performance indicators and operational dashboards to identify trends, opportunities, and corrective actions.

• Promote accountability for achieving operational, financial, quality, and patient experience targets.

Quality, Safety & Patient Experience

• Partner with clinical leaders to ensure delivery of safe, high-quality, and patient-centered care.

• Champion a culture of safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous quality improvement.

• Support market efforts to improve patient satisfaction, access to care, and clinical outcomes.

• Lead operational initiatives that enhance service excellence and patient experience.

Financial Stewardship

• Collaborate with finance leadership to develop operating budgets, capital plans, and business cases.

• Ensure responsible management of financial resources and achievement of budgeted operational performance.

• Identify opportunities for revenue enhancement, expense management, and operational efficiency.

• Participate in strategic growth planning, facility development, and service line expansion initiatives.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Provide leadership, mentoring, and development for hospital administrators, directors, managers, and operational leaders.

• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement, and continuous learning.

• Support succession planning and leadership development efforts across the market.

• Foster strong partnerships with physicians, providers, and interdisciplinary teams.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and organizational policies.

• Partner with compliance, quality, and risk management teams to mitigate operational and regulatory risks.

• Maintain readiness for regulatory surveys and accreditation reviews.

Community & Stakeholder Relations

• Represent Freeman Health System throughout the Arkansas Market with community organizations, business leaders, and strategic partners.

• Build collaborative relationships with physicians, employers, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.

• Support growth strategies that strengthen Freeman's presence and service offerings across the region.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of the healthcare sector across the full care continuum.

• Strong financial acumen, including budget management, P&L analysis, and capital planning.

• Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong clinical/business acumen and management skills suitable for complex, tertiary-level operations.

• Ability to lead in a matrixed, fast-paced, multi-market environment.

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and executive presence.

Working Conditions

• Regular travel required across the Arkansas market.

• Primary office location is Freeman Springdale Medical Center, with regular presence expected at facilities throughout the region.

• Standard office environment with periodic visits to clinical/hospital settings.

Physical Demands

• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking.

• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds.

• Ability to travel between facilities and work locations.

• Sufficient visual, hearing, and communication abilities to effectively perform leadership responsibilities.

​Experience

• 7+ years of progressive healthcare leadership experience.

• Prior experience in executive leadership ability in a complex healthcare environment.

• Strong operational and financial management expertise.

• Proven success leading organizational change and performance improvement initiatives.

• Deep understanding of healthcare operations, regulatory requirements, quality improvement, and patient experience.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders across multiple levels of the organization.

• Experience developing and leading high-performing teams.

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field strongly preferred.

Freeman Perks and Programs

• For eligible full-time and part-time employees Freeman offers a wide variety of career opportunities, a great work culture and generous benefits, most starting day one!

• Health, vision, dental insurance

• Retirement with employer match

• Wellness program with discounts to Health Insurance or Cash Bonus with Participation

• Milestone payments with longevity of employment

• Flexible time off (FTO)

• Extended Sick pay

• Learning Center designated only for Freeman Family members

• Payroll deduction at different locations such as The Daily Grind, Freeman Gift Shop, Cafeteria, etc.