Chief Administrative Officer

Providence; Mission Viejo (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Savings Plan with employer matching

Health care benefits (medical, dental, vision)

Paid parental leave

Time off benefits

Job summary

Providence is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer to enhance operational excellence and strategic alignment within a mission-driven environment in Mission Viejo, California. The role involves high-level leadership and collaboration with clinical leaders to ensure quality care. Candidates must have over 10 years of leadership experience in healthcare, including senior operational roles. A Master's degree is required. The position supports a hybrid work model and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience within healthcare organizations.
• 7+ years of senior-level operational leadership experience.
• Experience in large, complex, matrixed health systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations to ensure high-quality care delivery.
• Translate strategic priorities into operational execution.
• Oversee operational performance and financial stewardship.

Skills

Operational leadership

Financial acumen

Excellent communication skills

Relationship building

Education

Master’s degree in Health Administration or related field

Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration or related field

Job description

Job Description

Calling All Esteemed Leaders!

Providence is seeking a seasoned executive to serve as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)—a critical leadership role responsible for advancing operational excellence, quality, and strategic alignment across the ministry. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead at scale within a mission-driven organization, partnering closely with executive and clinical leaders to deliver measurable impact across the continuum of care.

The Role

Reporting to the Service Area Chief Executive (CE), the Chief Administrative Officer serves as the principal operational executive for the ministry, providing strategic leadership, planning, and oversight across administrative and operational functions. Under the direction of the Service Area CE, the CAO is a key member of the executive leadership team and plays an essential role in advancing organizational performance.

The CAO provides senior‑level administrative oversight of daily operations, ensuring excellence in quality, safety, caregiver and provider engagement, and patient experience across the Integrated Delivery Network (IDN). This role partners with regional, system, and clinical leaders to align operational priorities with the Providence St. Joseph Health Integrated Strategic & Financial Plan.

The CAO leads initiatives that strengthen operational effectiveness, optimize resource utilization, and improve outcomes across assigned service lines. This includes accountability for operating budget performance, productivity, key contracts, and operational metrics. In the absence of the Service Area CE, the CAO assumes division-level leadership responsibilities as needed.

What You’ll Do

• Lead day-to-day operations of the IDN to ensure high-quality, safe, and reliable care delivery
• Translate strategic priorities into operational execution, delivering sustainable clinical, financial, and operational results
• Provide executive leadership for regulatory and accreditation readiness in partnership with clinical leadership
• Oversee operational performance, resource management, and financial stewardship across select service lines
• Drive continuous improvement through standardization, performance improvement initiatives, and change leadership
• Build and maintain strong relationships with physicians, caregivers, executive peers, and external stakeholders

What You’ll Bring

Education

• Master’s degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field required

Leadership & Experience

• 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience within healthcare organizations
• 7+ years of senior‑level operational leadership within ambulatory, hospital, or integrated delivery system environments
• Experience operating in large, complex, matrixed health systems
• Proven success partnering with physician leaders and executive teams
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizations through change, growth, and transformation

Professional & Leadership Capabilities

• Strong operational and financial acumen, including budget management and performance accountability
• Ability to translate strategy into operational execution with measurable resultsExecutive presence with the ability to influence across diverse stakeholder groups
• Excellent communication and decision‑making skills in complex environments
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, patient safety, and continuous improvement
• Leadership style aligned with Providence’s Mission, Values, and Promise

Why Join Us?

• Lead at scale: within a mission-driven organization committed to advancing quality, safety, and operational excellence
• Serve as a senior executive leader: influencing outcomes across the continuum of care
• Shape organizational performance: through strategic, operational, and financial leadership
• Collaborate closely with executive and clinical leaders: in a complex and evolving healthcare environment
• Make a meaningful impact: advancing Providence’s Mission, Values, and Promise through disciplined execution and leadership

Ready to Shape the Future of Healthcare?

If you are a seasoned, operationally focused healthcare executive ready to lead at scale—driving excellence in quality, safety, financial stewardship, and organizational performance within a complex Integrated Delivery Network—we encourage you to explore this Chief Administrative Officer opportunity with Providence.

The full pay range is listed in accordance with applicable law. Final compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, organizational compensation alignment, and the approved hiring department budget for the position. This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation and benefits.

At Providence we believe in the importance of human connection and the impact of in-person collaboration towards team cohesion and caregiver engagement. Further, we want our leaders to live in or near the communities we serve. Therefore, leaders applying for this role will be required to work a hybrid schedule, which consists of three days onsite, two days remote and live within a reasonable commuting distance to the ministry or service area they support and lead.

Providence offers a comprehensive benefits package including a retirement 401(k) Savings Plan with employer matching, health care benefits (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, disability insurance, time off benefits (paid parental leave, vacations, holidays, health issues), voluntary benefits, well-being resources and much more. Learn more atprovidence.jobs/benefits.

Providence is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the principle that every workforce member has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, veteran, military status, religion, age, creed, national origin, sexual identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. We believe diversity makes us stronger, so we are dedicated to shaping an inclusive workforce, learning from each other, and creating equal opportunities for advancement.