CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

State of New Hampshire; Concord (NH); On-site; USD 111,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and retirement benefits

Wellness program

Paid leave and holidays

Life insurance

Job summary

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire Hospital is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to provide enterprise-wide operational leadership for the Inpatient Mental Health System, including New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff Home.

The role reports to the CEO, drives strategic execution, ensures regulatory compliance, and leads critical life-safety and emergency management initiatives. Strong collaboration with external partners is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in healthcare admin, public health, or business.
• Ten years in healthcare facility operations with five years in management.
• Valid driver’s license or access to transportation.
• FACHE preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide enterprise-level operational leadership for NHH and GH.
• Lead regulatory compliance, life safety, emergency management initiatives.
• Oversee facility operations including Food/Nutrition, Facilities, Laundry, and Security.
• Represent CEO and coordinate with system partners and committees.

Skills

Executive leadership

Healthcare administration

Strategic planning

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire Hospital has a full-time vacancy for Chief Operating Officer.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Inpatient Mental Health (IMH) System of New Hampshire with responsibility for providing enterprise-level, system-wide operational leadership, continuity, and strategic execution for New Hampshire Hospital (NHH) and Glencliff Home (GH). The COO is the principal executive partner to the CEO providing leadership continuity for the IMH’s strategic direction, governance, and operational excellence. Helps to shape and execute IMH strategy, lead high-impact initiatives, and ensure organizational readiness for emerging challenges, including regulatory, operational, life safety, and emergency management demands, while also overseeing cross-departmental initiatives to advance the IMH mission. Builds and sustains relationships with external partners to strengthen system-wide collaboration and influence.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Master’s degree from a recognized college or university in healthcare administration, public health, business administration, or related field preferred. Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university is required. Additional years of formal education may not be substituted for the work experience required by this job description.

EXPERIENCE: Ten years' experience in health care facility, five years of which were in a management level with administrative and supervisory experience. Each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education at the graduate level only.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Valid driver’s license and/or access to transportation are required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) is preferred.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The supplemental job description lists typical examples of work and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to a position. Any employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides executive oversight and accountability for core NHH operational domains, including facility operations comprised of Food and Nutrition Services, Facilities and Maintenance, Materials Management, Supply Chain, and Laundry Services as well as Life Safety, Emergency Management, Administrative Support Services, physical environment, security services, non-clinical operational readiness, and designated hospital-wide operational initiatives. Plays a lead role in supporting, organizing and executing the operational planning, development and design of the High Security Unit (HSU).
2. Provides system-level administrative and operational leadership for IMH operational functions, ensuring efficient, compliant, and mission-aligned performance across New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff Home operations. Oversees and directs assigned operational departments and contracted services to ensure continuity of care, safety, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness. Holds direct accountability for operational readiness during audits, inspections, emergency activations, and external reviews. Actively participates in the hospital OPEN Committee.
3. Acts on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer as delegated, including during periods of absence, to ensure continuity of IMH system operations, executive decision-making, and external engagement. Exercises delegated authority to represent the CEO in enterprise-level operational, regulatory, and strategic matters, including engagement with governing bodies, oversight entities, and system partners. Leads forward-looking operational planning and future-state development to ensure IMH system readiness for evolving clinical, regulatory, emergency management, infrastructure, and workforce demands. Measures operational success through system reliability, regulatory performance, emergency preparedness outcomes, patient and staff safety indicators, and sustained continuity of operations.
4. Plays a lead role in the development, execution, and monitoring of IMH system strategic and operational initiatives. Has dotted line oversight of Glencliff daily operations. Ensures alignment of operational performance with strategic objectives; establishes operational priorities; monitors outcomes; addresses operational risks and barriers; and supports long-term organizational sustainability.
5. Provides executive oversight and coordination of security operations at New Hampshire Hospital, serving as the primary liaison between the Department of Safety, State Office Complex Police (SOCP), and contracted security services (Vets Securing America – VSA). Ensures alignment of security protocols, operational coordination, and communication across partners to maintain a safe and secure environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Leads operational coordination for security planning related to the High Security Unit and other high-risk operational environments, ensuring integration with emergency management, life safety, and public safety response systems.
6. Serves as a member of the NHH Executive Team, participating in enterprise-level decisions affecting hospital and system operations. Represents executive leadership on standing and ad-hoc committees; ensures committee recommendations align with IMH system strategy, regulatory obligations, and operational priorities. Exercises authority to remove barriers, resolve cross-departmental operational challenges, and ensure continuity of hospital operations.
7. Works collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the DHHS Bureau of Contracts and Procurement to support the development, implementation, oversight, and evaluation of operational contracts, initiatives, and special projects. Ensures operational scopes of service, performance expectations, risk controls, and compliance requirements are clearly defined and aligned with IMH system objectives.
8. Supports and upholds all established IMH and departmental policies including supporting employee training and development; staff workplace safety accountabilities; operational risk management responsibilities; and a commitment to continuous quality improvement and customer service values.
9. Builds and maintains strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including state agencies, oversight bodies, regulatory entities, emergency response partners, and system collaborators, to advance IMH system operational objectives. Ensures effective communication, alignment, and collaboration across the IMH system and broader DHHS enterprise.

*TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The State of NH total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits, including:

• HMO or POS Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits
• The actual value of State-paid health benefits and the amount of employee health benefit contributions may vary depending on the type of plan selected and the bargaining unit with which a position is associated.
• See this link for details on State-paid health benefits: https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/benefits.aspx
• Value of State's share of Employee's Retirement: 12.87% of pay
• Other Benefits:
  • Dental Plan at minimal cost for employees and their families ($500-$1800 value)
  • Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
  • State defined benefit retirement plan and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
  • Work/life balance flexible schedules, paid holidays and generous leave plan
  • $50,000 state-paid life insurance plus additional low-cost group life insurance
  • Incentive-based Wellness Program (ability to earn up to $500)
• Total Compensation Statement Worksheet: https://www.das.nh.gov/jobsearch/compensation-calculator.aspx
• Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website: https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/documents/BenefitBrochure.pdf
• https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/index.aspx

Additional Information

Salary: USD 110,913.000-154,700.000

Employment Type: FULL-TIME

Post Date: 11/02/2026

Close Date: 12/08/2026

Location: US:NH:CONCORD

Contact: Ellen Lapointe, Chief Executive Officer, [e-mail], 603-271-5200

EOE

TDD Access: Relay NH1-800-735-2964