Chief Administrative Officer – Ambulatory Operations

The Chief Administrative Officer Ambulatory Operations (CAO-AO) provides executive leadership and administrative oversight across UI Health Cares ambulatory operations and medical campus. This position is responsible for strategic planning operational efficiency financial stewardship regulatory compliance and fostering collaboration between clinical and administrative teams to ensure high-quality patient care and services.

Working in partnership with hospital leadership and key institutional stakeholders the CAO-AO directs the planning organization and management of ambulatory services across the UI Health Care clinical enterprise. This role ensures seamless integration with functions such as finance strategic planning human resources information systems legal services quality management public policy strategic marketing and philanthropy. The CAO-AO collaborates closely with senior leadership faculty and external partners to drive institutional goals optimize operational performance and enhance patient access and experience.

Position Responsibilities:

Human Resources Management

• Assess and prioritize staffing needs across hospital departments in alignment with organizational goals and patient care demands.

• Provide input into the organizational HR strategy workforce planning and talent management initiatives.

• Collaborate with HR leaders to ensure recruitment retention and professional development align with institutional objectives.

• Support leadership development and employee engagement strategies to enhance workplace culture and performance.

• Build and lead a high-performing team fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

• Promote an ethical and transparent environment to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission state and federal regulations.

Financial and Data Management and Analysis

• Partner with senior leadership and department directors to develop implement and oversee operational and capital budgets.

• Manage budget priorities resource allocation and financial forecasting to optimize cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

• Monitor financial performance identify budgetary challenges and develop solutions to address financial sustainability.

• Initiate and approve programs and strategies to enhance revenue and financial performance.

• Oversee financial operations of hospital departments and ensure alignment with institutional financial objectives.

• Coordinate the integration and monitoring of the overall budget ensuring optimal use of resources.

• Ensure the productivity of the revenue cycle providing guidance on coding charge capture and hospital billing practices.

Operations Standards of Care Regulatory Compliance Quality and Patient Satisfaction

• Ensure operational consistency across all hospital departments and clinical service areas.

• Provide strategic consultation and guidance to departments on meeting quality productivity and patient satisfaction benchmarks.

• Monitor and analyze key outcome metrics to drive continuous improvement in service delivery.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements accreditation standards and institutional policies.

• Optimize operational workflows and hospital-wide processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

• Champion quality patient safety patient experience and employee engagement serving as a visible and accountable leader focused on key drivers of success.

• Lead initiatives to continuously improve quality outcomes and patient safety setting goals and key performance indicators to achieve measurable improvements.

Patient Care/Services Delivery

• Lead the development and integration of innovative business models and patient care/service delivery models.

• Collaborate with medical and administrative leaders to enhance access to care operational efficiency and patient experience.

• Oversee initiatives that improve clinical workflow optimize patient throughput and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Ensure hospital departments are equipped to meet the evolving needs of patients and align with best practices in healthcare delivery.

• Integrate and foster alignment across the clinical enterprise to create a unified structure that delivers high-quality patient care and services.

Planning and Goal Management

• Assist in the development and execution of the organizations strategic plan and action plans.

• Monitor implementation and progress toward strategic goals recommending adjustments as needed to maintain alignment with institutional objectives.

• Leverage data analytics and industry trends to inform decision-making and organizational planning.

• Develop hospital-specific growth strategies and drive operational improvements that support institutional success.

• Participate in UI Health Care planning committees contributing to the organizations strategic direction and operational planning.

Communication/Collaboration

• Strengthen relationships with physicians faculty and community stakeholders to advance organizational priorities.

• Act as the hospitals administrative liaison with external agencies regulatory bodies and community organizations.

• Facilitate transparent and effective communication between leadership staff and external partners.

• Foster collaboration between hospital leadership clinical teams and support services to drive alignment on institutional objectives.

• Collaborate with department chairs and physician leaders on physician recruitment service contract negotiations and clinical coverage planning.

• Represent the health systems CEO in interactions with the medical staff overseeing bylaws and fostering strong partnerships within the medical community.

• Develop and nurture key external relationships representing hospital operations to community advocacy groups and city county state and national organizations.

• Promote organizational identity and collaboration among medical and surgical specialists as well as ancillary staff across all departments.

• Represent hospital operations in fundraising activities in collaboration with the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.