Business Operations Manager

Sterling Search Partners; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Search Partners is partnering with a multi-billion-dollar healthcare services organization to hire a senior manager who will lead strategic business initiatives, oversee an established operational unit, and help develop new programs that support growth.

The role blends strategic thinking with hands-on execution: manage financial performance, drive process improvements, build scalable capabilities, and collaborate with Finance, HR, Technology, Legal, and Operations to deliver measurable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5–8 years leading operations or strategic programs in healthcare or similar markets.
• Proven ability to launch and scale business initiatives with P&L responsibility.
• Strong communication and executive presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct financial and operational performance of a business unit, including budgets and profitability.
• Establish and refine processes, metrics, and quality standards to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Lead, mentor, and develop teams while driving accountability and continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities for new initiatives and guide programs from concept to expansion.
• Collaborate on platform and workflow development to support future business needs.
• Assess performance and partner with cross-functional leadership to deliver results.
• Develop strategic recommendations and presentations for senior leadership.
• Manage external partners and contracts, tracking ROI and outcomes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial acumen

Program management

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

Power BI

AI tools

Education

Bachelor's in Business Administration or related

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Sterling Search Partners is assisting a growing, multi-billion-dollar healthcare services organization in the search for a senior manager to lead strategic business initiatives, oversee an established operational business unit, and help develop new programs that support the organization's continued growth.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an entrepreneurial, results-oriented professional who enjoys taking ownership of complex business challenges and turning ideas into scalable solutions. The individual will be responsible for financial performance, operational strategy, process improvement, and the development of new business capabilities.

The role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution. The successful candidate will manage an existing business operation while identifying opportunities to launch new initiatives, improve infrastructure, and build processes that support long-term scalability.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in an evolving environment, is comfortable making data-driven decisions, and has demonstrated the ability to build, launch, or grow a business function or program.

Key Responsibilities

• Business & Financial Leadership: Direct the financial and operational performance of an assigned business unit, including budget management, profitability, expense oversight, and performance against established financial targets.
• Operational Excellence: Establish and refine operational frameworks, performance metrics, procedures, and quality standards to improve efficiency, consistency, and service delivery.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Strategic Growth & Innovation: Identify opportunities for new business initiatives, develop implementation strategies, and lead programs from initial concept through execution and expansion.
• Technology & Process Development: Collaborate on the evolution of internal platforms, tools, and workflows to enhance functionality, improve the user experience, and support future business needs.
• Performance Optimization: Evaluate business performance, identify operational challenges, and work with cross-functional leadership to implement solutions that drive measurable results.
• Executive Communication: Develop strategic recommendations, business cases, and presentations for senior leadership and operational stakeholders.
• External Partnerships: Manage relationships with outside service providers and strategic partners, including negotiations, contractual considerations, performance tracking, and return-on-investment assessments.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with departments such as Finance, Human Resources, Technology, Legal, and Operations to coordinate initiatives and successfully execute complex business programs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Healthcare Administration, Analytics, or a related discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• 5–8 years of progressive experience in business operations, strategic initiatives, program management, product management, or general management.
• Experience in healthcare services, workforce solutions, staffing, technology-enabled marketplaces, or multi-location business environments is highly desirable.
• Prior experience managing and developing teams, including responsibility for supervising emerging leaders or high-volume operational teams.
• Proven ability to develop, launch, and scale business programs, products, or operational functions, preferably with direct financial or P&L responsibility.
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and execute with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling presentations and communicate effectively with executive and operational audiences.
• Strong understanding of financial performance, budgeting, business models, and profitability drivers.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience interpreting business intelligence and reporting tools. Familiarity with Power BI is preferred.
• Experience leveraging artificial intelligence tools to improve productivity, accelerate analysis, streamline documentation, and enhance business presentations.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves and managing day-to-day business priorities. They bring an entrepreneurial mindset, strong financial acumen, and the ability to translate complex problems into practical, measurable solutions. They are naturally curious, highly analytical, organized, and confident leading initiatives that require collaboration across multiple departments and levels of leadership. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a large, established organization while helping shape the next phase of its business growth.