Chief Operating Officer

Behavioral Health; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Behavioral Health (BHA) sits on the executive leadership team, reporting to the CEO. The COO is responsible for day-to-day performance across Community Living, BHA Academy, Transportation, central staffing and scheduling, and operational training.

BHA runs 24/7 residential homes, a special education school, and a transportation operation across dozens of locations. The role requires turning strategy into execution with a focus on safety, compliance, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; Master's strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive operations leadership, including at least 5 years at senior director/VP/executive level overseeing multiple sites or service lines.
• Experience running 24/7 or multi-site operations with a large hourly workforce in behavioral health, IDD services, residential treatment, healthcare, education, or human services is highly preferred.
• Track record turning around underperforming operations with measurable results within 6–12 months.
• Experience with full operating budget accountability across multiple programs or divisions.
• Experience operating in a highly regulated environment and leading operations through audits, surveys, and corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day performance of all programs and services.
• Be the CEO's senior partner on operational matters; manage all operating divisions.
• Set standards and performance expectations; drive accountability across divisions.
• Approve operational policies; ensure compliance through the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, or a related field

Master's degree (MBA, MHA, or similar)

Job description

Description

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is BHA's senior operating executive, accountable for the day-to-day performance of every program BHA delivers. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the executive leadership team, the COO has direct line authority over Community Living, BHA Academy and Transportation, central staffing and scheduling, and operational training. The COO is a hands-on operator: someone who quickly assesses what is not working, finds the root cause, puts solutions in place, and builds the systems and accountability that keep problems from coming back.

BHA runs 24/7 residential homes, a special education school, and a transportation operation across dozens of locations, under close regulatory oversight and with a demanding staffing environment. In that setting, plans only matter if they are carried out. The COO is expected to make a fast, visible impact; manage many competing priorities and deadlines at once; lead leaders through change; and hold divisional Vice Presidents and their teams accountable for results. The COO turns BHA's strategy and goals into daily execution and ensures every location operates safely, consistently, in compliance, and within budget. Guided by BHA's Core Values, the COO builds an operating culture of ownership, follow-through, and high-quality care.

Requirements

Scope of Authority:

• Serves as a member of BHA's executive leadership team and as the CEO's senior partner on all operational matters, acting for the CEO on operational decisions in the CEO's absence.
• Holds direct line authority over all operating divisions.
• Makes operational decisions on staffing, scheduling, processes, and resource use within the approved budget, and may reassign staff and resources across divisions and locations to address urgent needs.
• Sets operating standards and performance expectations for all divisions, and holds Vice Presidents and their leadership teams accountable, including performance improvement and personnel actions in partnership with the Chief Human Resources Officer.
• Approves operational policies and procedures, with compliance review by the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, or a related field required. Master's degree (MBA, MHA, or similar) strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive operations leadership, including at least 5 years at the senior director, vice president, or executive level overseeing multiple sites or service lines.
• Experience running 24/7 or multi-site operations with a large hourly workforce in behavioral health, IDD services, residential treatment, healthcare, education, or human services, highly preferred.
• Proven record of turning around underperforming operations, with measurable results achieved within the first 6 to 12 months.
• Experience with full operating budget accountability across multiple programs or divisions.
• Experience operating in a highly regulated environment (e.g., DMH, DESE, Medicaid, CMS, or state licensing) and leading operations through audits, surveys, and corrective action plans.
• Training or experience in a structured improvement or execution method (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, 4 Disciplines of Execution, EOS) preferred.
• Valid driver's license, acceptable motor vehicle record, and ability to pass all BHA background and registry screenings.

Starting Pay:

Our compensation is competitive within the market. Salary range is determined based on a combination of your education, relevant experience, and overall qualifications. There may be potential for performance based incentives in addition to annual base salary.