Chief Operating Officer - Practice Plan (Finance)

Chief Operating Officer

UTHealth Houston- Practice Plan

Position Summary:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Practice Plan, in a leadership partnership with the Chief Medical Officer-Primary Care (CMO-PC) and the Chief Medical Officer-Specialty Care (CMO-SC) of the Practice Plan, will co-lead the strategic and operational management of UTHealth Houston's Practice Plan, UT Physicians. This role collaborates closely with the CMO-PC and CMO-SC on executing ambulatory market strategy and ensuring seamless integration of clinical excellence and operational efficiency within an academic medical environment. The COO will direct, administer, and coordinate the activities of the organization in support of policies, goals, and objectives established by the university President and the Practice Plan Board of Directors. The role reports to senior leadership (EVP, Health Affairs) and maintains a complementary role with the CMO-PC and CMO-SC to drive performance, foster physician engagement, and deliver high-quality patient care.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Develop operational plans and execute ambulatory market strategies to support the Practice Plan's objectives.
• Oversee clinical operations, patient flow, ancillary services, and facilities management. Ensure timely access to coordinated, high-value, evidence-based care.
• Partner with the CMO-PC and CMO-SC, clinical department chairs and administrators, and UTHealth Houston senior leaders to align strategies. Work with system functions (IT, HR, Marketing, Finance) to enhance integration.
• Manage budgeting and financial forecasting to optimize cost structure while maintaining quality care standards.
• Partner with business development and marketing leadership to drive physician practice growth in competitive markets.
• Provide direction to practice administrators, management, and staff to achieve operational and strategic goals.
• Support ambulatory care quality and safety programs. Recommend strategies to achieve clinical performance targets.
• Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
• Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Knowledge of the healthcare market/environment
• Ability to gain and maintain effective professional relationships with physician leadership. Demonstrated written, verbal, and electronic communication skills
• Demonstrated proficiency in complex problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in MS Windows applications

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or related required field required Master's Degree preferred

Minimum Experience:

12 years of experience in managing large, multi-specialty physician practices, with a strong reputation for service and quality outcomes required Experience leading academic/faculty practice plans and primary care physician groups preferred

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

Security Sensitive: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.