Job Description

Healthcare Strategist, Cardiology Service Line (VP-level role)

Reports To:Chief Strategy Officer

Florence, SC, United States (On-site)

Your Role & Impact

As the Cardiovascular Service Line Strategist, you will shape the long-term strategic direction, growth, and performance of McLeod Health's marquis Heart & Vascular program. Supporting a seven-hospital regional health system-including one tertiary hospital serving as the hub for comprehensive cardiac and vascular care-you will partner closely with operational leaders, physician leaders, administrators, and system executives to advance clinical excellence, strengthen care coordination, expand access, and optimize performance across the continuum.

While this position does not initially hold direct operational authority, it is highly influential and requires strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills to drive system-wide alignment.

What You'll Do:

Strategic Planning & Growth

• Develop Comprehensive Strategy: Create a multi-year strategy for the Heart & Vascular service line aligned with system goals, population needs, and emerging clinical trends.
• Conduct Market Assessments: Perform competitive analyses and service gap evaluations across the McLeod Health service area.
• Recommend Strategic Investments: Identify opportunities in programs, technologies, providers, and sites of care to expand market share and improve access.
• Evaluate Outreach Opportunities: Strengthen referral management, transfer pathways, and system capture of cardiac patients.

Program Development & Optimization

• Design New Programs: Partner with clinical and operational leaders to develop advanced heart failure, structural heart, EP service expansion, and vascular surgery optimization initiatives.
• Support Standardized Care Pathways: Develop evidence-based models across the continuum-from community hospital and ambulatory entry points through tertiary cardiac care and post-acute transitions.
• Collaborate on Workforce Planning: Address current and future demand for cardiology, cardiac surgery, vascular care, and advanced practice providers.
• Lead Continuity Initiatives: Improve care continuity for hospitals without full-time cardiology coverage.

Performance Management & Analytics

• Use Data-Driven Insights: Monitor clinical quality, operational efficiency, financial performance, and patient outcomes.
• Build Dashboards & Reporting Structures: Enhance visibility of key metrics such as volume, transfer trends, LOS, readmissions, physician utilization, and capacity management.
• Identify Performance Gaps: Partner with leaders to implement improvement strategies.
• Evaluate Financial Models: Assess capital business cases and ROI for service line investments.

Physician & Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster Strong Relationships: Engage cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, APPs, and community physicians across the system.
• Engage Clinical Leaders: Involve physicians in strategic initiatives, program development, and process improvement.
• Facilitate Collaboration: Connect hospital and practice-level administrators, nursing leadership, and ancillary departments involved in cardiac care delivery.

System Integration & Coordination

• Coordinate Strategic Alignment: Align hospitals with varying levels of cardiology presence and capability.
• Design Transfer Strategy: Support a system-wide transfer strategy for acute cardiac patients ensuring timely access to tertiary care.
• Promote Consistency: Ensure uniformity in service offerings, clinical protocols, and patient experience across facilities.
• Support Post-Acute Integration: Connect with cardiac rehab, imaging, ambulatory cardiology, and vascular clinics.

Project Leadership

• Lead Cross-Functional Teams: Manage major strategic initiatives and capital projects.
• Oversee Execution: Handle timelines, stakeholder communication, change management efforts, and implementation of strategic plans.
• Translate Complex Issues: Convert clinical and operational challenges into clear, actionable solutions.

What You Bring:

• Education:
  • Required: Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or related field.
  • Strongly Preferred: Clinical background (RN, PA/NP, RT, or related).
• Experience:
  • Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in healthcare strategy, service line management, hospital operations, or consulting.
  • Strongly Preferred: Demonstrated experience with cardiovascular service lines.
  • Ideal: Experience working in a multi-hospital system environment.
  • Proven Success: Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and analytical skills.
  • Ability to build relationships and influence leaders at all levels.
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder-engagement abilities.
  • Expertise in using data to drive decision-making.
  • Knowledge of heart and vascular clinical practices, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics preferred.

Live & Work in Historic Florence, SC

Join us in Florence, South Carolina-a charming and growing community that serves as a regional hub for healthcare, commerce, and culture. Enjoy a low cost of living, excellent schools, and a strong sense of Southern hospitality. With easy access to both the Grand Strand beaches (just an hour away) and the cultural offerings of nearby metropolitan areas, Florence offers the perfect blend of small-town comfort and big-city convenience. Experience a welcoming community that truly values the exceptional work of its healthcare leaders.

About Our Team

If you are looking for a dynamic environment where you can lead with integrity, collaborate with stellar professionals, and make a lasting impact on cardiovascular services across an entire health system, we invite you to apply. Become part of a locally owned, not-for-profit organization where your strategic leadership is meaningful, your growth is supported, and your contributions are truly valued.