High Point University is currently seeking a Senior Director of Clinical Operations. HPU Health- Oral Health Network (OHN) the clinical arm of High Point University's Workman School of Dental Medicine (WSDM), operates a dynamic network of general dentistry practices, surgical specialty hubs, and integrated clinical education sites that deliver comprehensive patient care while supporting experiential learning for dental students. The Senior Director of Clinical Operations (SDCO) is a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure track administrative staff appointment.
Partnering closely with the Dean, WSDM Executive Leadership Team (ELT), and HPU Health Managers (campus leadership), the Senior Director of Clinic Operations (SDCO) will plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee operational activities, ensuring the development and implementation of efficient workflows and cost-effective systems to meet the current and future needs of the organization. The SDCO will prioritize the development of strong partnerships with clinicians and staff, ensuring alignment of the practices with the core purpose and beliefs of the company and directly support the financial health of the business.
QUALIFICATIONS:Education- Bachelor's degree in business administration, or at least 10 years of industry-related experience, including three years in upper management required.
Experience and Training- 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in clinical operations management, preferably within academic health centers, multi-site dental/medical groups, or hospital systems.
- Demonstrated success leading acquisitions, de novo development, integration, and network growth.
- Extensive knowledge of healthcare regulations, accreditation processes, financial management, and clinical operations.
- Proven ability to collaborate across academic, clinical, and administrative leadership.
- Dental or dental education experience highly desirable.
- EPIC or similar EHR/EDR system experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Ability:- Robust strategic thinking, growth strategy, planning, and execution skills.
- Expertise in managing practice integration, onboarding, and alignment of new clinical sites.
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Superior verbal and written communication skills.
- Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data.
- Poised and professional representation of HPU Health (WSDM).
- Receptive to feedback and committed to continuous improvement.
- Deep understanding of HPU Health (WSDM) core values and mission.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Director of Clinical Operations (SDCO) will perform all duties directed by the Dean, with input from the leadership team (HPU Health Managers and Executive Leadership Team). Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Operational Oversight- Provide executive-level oversight of daily clinical operations across all HPU Health (WSDM) practice sites and programs, ensuring seamless care delivery, operational consistency, and alignment with organizational objectives.
- Develop, implement, and continuously refine standardized clinical policies, workflows, and operating procedures to support high-quality, efficient, and compliant practice operations.
- Optimize resource allocation across personnel, equipment, facilities, and technology to maximize patient access, clinical productivity, and overall operational performance.
- Lead and support Regional Managers, Specialty Directors, Onboarding Director and operational teams through proactive coaching, mentorship, and performance accountability.
- Monitor, analyze, and interpret operational data, financial metrics, and key performance indicators to identify trends, address operational challenges, and drive continuous improvement across the network.
Supervisory Responsibilities- Provides leadership, direction and oversight to Directors, Managers and other operational leaders within the assigned areas of responsibility.
- Establishes clear performance expectations, goals and accountability standards for direct reports and operational leaders; conducts performance evaluations and provides ongoing coaching, feedback and professional development.
- Provides constructive and timely performance management, handling constructive discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
- Oversees the daily workflow of practices and resources.
- Identifies and develops resources necessary to support the strategic objectives of the organization.
- Fosters a high-performance leadership culture characterized by accountability, transparency, collaboration, professional development, service excellence and continuous improvement.
Essential Responsibilities- Serves as a senior operational escalation point for complex practice issues, coordinating timely resolution and ensuring appropriate follow-up, accountability, and communication.
- Builds a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, service excellence, and data-informed decision-making throughout the organization.
- Identifies training needs and ensures proper training, standard operating procedures, tools, and resources are developed and provided.
- Presents periodic performance reports, operational dashboards, key performance indicators, and recommendations to the Dean and other leadership.
- Supports practice marketing and growth initiatives in collaboration with leadership and marketing resources, including practice-level marketing priorities, referral-development efforts, community outreach, patient acquisition and retention initiatives, and measurement of marketing effectiveness.
- Partners with operational hiring managers to support workforce planning and recruitment for all job categories and helps ensure hiring processes are timely, consistent, and aligned with organizational needs.
- Oversees Quality Assurance and Quality/Performance Improvement for office and practice operations, including development and monitoring of quality standards, audits, corrective action plans, process improvement initiatives, documentation, and follow-through.
- Develops and monitors operational quality metrics and patient-service standards, identifies trends and performance gaps, and leads cross-functional improvement initiatives to improve quality, efficiency, consistency, and the patient experience.
- Provides executive oversight of accounts receivable performance in partnership with finance and revenue-cycle resources, including monitoring aging, collections, denials, payment trends, outstanding balances, and related key performance indicators, and supports action plans to improve cash flow and revenue-cycle performance.
- Provides payroll support and operational oversight as needed, including coordination of staffing information, timekeeping, payroll inputs, approvals, issue resolution, and communication with finance, human resources, and payroll resources.
- Partners with finance and leadership on financial forecasting, cash-flow awareness, expense management, capital planning, productivity analysis, and opportunities to improve operating margin and financial sustainability.
- Provides operational oversight of facilities, equipment, technology, supplies, and administrative infrastructure to support safe, efficient, and reliable practice operations.
- Supports compliance with applicable organizational policies, accreditation requirements, privacy and security expectations, employment requirements, and healthcare operational standards in collaboration with appropriate compliance, legal, clinical, and human resources.
- Maintains business continuity, emergency preparedness, and operational contingency plans to reduce disruption and support continuity of patient care and business operations.
- Leads implementation of major operational projects and change-management initiatives, establishing clear owners, timelines, deliverables, communication plans, and measures of success.
- Evaluates opportunities for new services, locations, partnerships, and operational expansion; supports due diligence, implementation planning, integration, and post-launch performance monitoring as assigned.
- Ensure all clinical operations consistently meet or exceed applicable contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards, including but not limited to TJC, AAAHC, DHSR, CMS, CODA, and OSHA.
- Performs other executive leadership and operational responsibilities as assigned by the Dean and as necessary to support the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and business objectives.
Accountability- Reports to: Dean, HPU Health (WSDM)
- Evaluation: Performance is assessed through ongoing performance reviews and an annual evaluation conducted by the Dean, incorporating feedback from the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), faculty, staff, and other key stakeholders as appropriate.
For more information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Muhammad Ali Shazib, Dean, Workman School of Dental Medicine, at mshazib@highpoint.edu.
