UnitedHealth Group

Chief Operating Officer, WellMed

UnitedHealth Group$225K — $375K *
Healthcare
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in executive healthcare leadership across large, complex operations.
  • 10+ years in ambulatory, physician practice, value-based care, and risk-bearing operations.
  • Proven P&L accountability with a record of operational execution and improvement.
  • Experience in turnaround management and large-scale change initiatives.
  • Successful in navigating a highly matrixed operating environment.

Responsibilities

  • Own the WellMed Region operating plan, aligning it with key financial and operational commitments.
  • Translate financial goals into actionable plans with measurable outcomes.
  • Lead performance monitoring across revenue, cost management, access, and quality.
  • Establish a structured operating rhythm for consistent performance reviews and decision-making.
  • Oversee day-to-day regional operations, improving patient access and operational consistency.
  • Drive turnaround and growth strategies to enhance profitability and operational efficiency.
  • Define accountability structures to eliminate redundancy and improve decision-making processes.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Incentive and recognition programs to reward performance.
  • Equity stock purchase options for employee investment.
  • 401k contribution to support retirement planning.
  • Development opportunities for career advancement and leadership growth.
Full Job Description
The Chief Operating Officer, WellMed Region is the senior executive accountable for day-to-day operational performance and execution across the WellMed Region Care Delivery enterprise. Reporting to the WellMed Region CEO, the COO converts strategy and financial commitments into integrated operating plans, clear ownership, effective management rhythm and timely corrective action.

The COO will focus on productivity, patient access, provider capacity, SG&A discipline, delegated operations, growth execution, technology delivery, workforce optimization and operating model simplification. The role is responsible for working with the Executive Team to translating strategy into execution while driving accountability, efficiency, scalability and financial results across all markets.

The COO works in close partnership with the CEO, regional CMO, market and operations leaders, Finance, People, Growth, Technology, Enterprise Clinical Services and National Care Delivery Operations. The role owns regional results while applying national standards, reducing duplication and ensuring that local intelligence informs enterprise decisions.

Primary Responsibilities:

Own the WellMed Region operating plan and results

  • Own the integrated WellMed Region operating plan, including alignment among the Long-Range Plan, Management Growth Plan, annual business plan, MBOs, forecasts and market operating plans
  • Translate regional financial commitments into operational, clinical and workforce levers with accountable owners, milestones, leading indicators and quantified outcomes
  • Lead performance against IOI, revenue, margin, affordability, SG&A, cost management, membership, access, quality and experience commitments
  • Identify performance gaps early, require recovery plans and ensure actions are completed with pace and discipline


Establish a rigorous regional operating rhythm

  • Create a consistent weekly, monthly and quarterly cadence for performance review, decision-making, issue escalation and action-plan closure
  • Build a single regional view of performance that connects financial outcomes to operational and clinical drivers
  • Use market-level action plans, quality-performance reviews and MBO governance to increase transparency and accountability
  • Ensure the CEO and leadership team receive concise, decision-ready information on results, risks, dependencies and required interventions


Lead clinic, field and shared operations

  • Provide executive oversight for day-to-day regional operations, including delegated operations, revenue cycle performance, real estate, payor and growth strategy, patient experience and administrative support services
  • Improve patient access, visit productivity, schedule utilization, provider capacity, net collections, throughput and operating consistency
  • Standardize core operating practices while maintaining appropriate market responsiveness and local accountability
  • Create effective interfaces with national support teams for claims, payment integrity, utilization and care management, call center operations, credentialing, technology, data and digital enablement


Deliver the turnaround, affordability and growth agenda

  • Lead execution of the WellMed Region turnaround plan and the operational levers needed to return the region to profitability
  • Drive cost-structure improvement through SG&A management, workforce productivity, shared-service simplification, functional consolidation, process redesign and disciplined resource allocation
  • Partner with clinical and financial leaders to improve affordability, medical-cost performance, risk adjustment, coding accuracy, Stars performance and quality
  • Enable responsible growth through improved access, provider capacity, operational readiness, market expansion and scalable operating models


Clarify decision rights and strengthen the operating model

  • Define and enforce clear decision rights across regional, market and national teams, especially for standards, staffing, capital, exceptions and performance ownership
  • Establish clear accountability: national teams' own tools and standards, while regional and market operators own results
  • Reduce unnecessary duplication, layers, fragmented work and unclear handoffs across the WellMed Region
  • Lead integration, transformation and change initiatives with clear governance, adoption plans and measurable outcomes


Build a high-performing leadership and talent system

  • Build a solid, accountable regional operations team with clear roles, effective spans of control, ready successors and differentiated development plans
  • Partner with the People Team on organization health, workforce planning, leadership readiness, retention, culture, inclusion and provider and employee experience
  • Create a performance culture grounded in mission, values, transparency, disciplined follow-through and constructive challenges
  • Serve as a visible enterprise leader and strengthen the succession pipeline for broader regional leadership roles


Leadership capabilities

  • Enterprise-minded operator who balances standardization with market realities
  • Financially rigorous, analytically solid and highly disciplined in execution
  • Credible partner to clinical leaders, with the ability to connect care outcomes, patient experience and operational performance
  • Decisive, transparent and comfortable escalating issues, making trade-offs and holding leaders accountable
  • Talent-focused leader who strengthens succession and creates clarity, trust and high performance across diverse teams
  • Visible, resilient and mission-driven leader who navigates complexity and sustains momentum


You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

  • 15+ years of significant executive leadership experience in large-scale, complex healthcare operations, ideally across multiple markets or a regional care delivery platform
  • 10+ years of experience in ambulatory, physician practice, value-based care and risk-bearing operations
  • Executive level experience demonstrating P&L accountability and a record of translating financial commitments into operational execution and measurable improvement
  • Experience leading turnaround, cost transformation, operating model redesign, integration and large-scale change
  • Proven ability to lead through a highly matrixed national, regional and local operating environment


Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $225,000-$375,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group is a medical facility. They offer health technology, health finance, and pharmacy services. They are utilizing clinical data and intelligence to assist in the redesign, automation, and deployment of technology to streamline administrative operations and clinical decision-making. Payment systems for both consumers and providers are critical components of a health-care system.

UnitedHealth Group Careers

Joining UnitedHealth Group means becoming part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference. As a leader in health services and innovation, our company offers a variety of job opportunities that allow professionals to leverage their skills, drive innovation, and improve lives. Work You’ll Do At UnitedHealth Group, you’ll contribute to a mission-focused environment where your expertise will influence the health and well-being of people worldwide. Our employment opportunities span across a wide range of disciplines, from healthcare specialists to data analysts, ensuring that your career journey is both dynamic and rewarding. Transform Healthcare with Your Expertise UnitedHealth Group stands at the forefront of health innovation. Our team collaborates to deliver solutions that lead to better patient outcomes. Working with us, you’ll find yourself at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and leadership, providing key insights that drive industry transformation. Join Our Global Team As part of our team, you’ll engage with over 300,000 professionals globally, dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. UnitedHealth Group is not just a company; it’s a community where you can grow your career through continuous learning and leadership opportunities. Our commitment to diversity training ensures that every team member can thrive. UnitedHealth Group Career Development We are committed to your professional growth. Explore career paths filled with promising job opportunities and internships that will harness your potential and expand your capabilities. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, you’ll find that our career development programs support your ambition at every level. Innovative Work Environment At UnitedHealth Group, innovation is at the core of our operations. We encourage our team to bring forward-thinking ideas that challenge the status quo and lead to breakthrough improvements in patient care. Be Part of a Great Team Our culture fosters a collaborative and supportive environment where every member’s contribution is valued. Enjoy the benefits of being part of a global team that’s committed to making a difference in people’s lives. Future-Proof Your Career With UnitedHealth Group, your career is future-proof. Dive into a range of positions that offer both challenges and rewards. Our robust support system includes unmatched training, development programs, and certification support to propel your career forward. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the right position that matches your skills and interests. We are always hiring and look for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Search UnitedHealth Group jobs today and take the first step towards a fulfilling career. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can use today—all from the people who work here. Read Careers Blog Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at UnitedHealth Group.
Learn more about UnitedHealth Group
Size
350,000 employees
Market Cap
$493.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$15.4 billion
Founded
1974
5 Year Trend
+9.2%
Revenue
$257.1 billion
NASDAQ

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