Orthopedic Campus CAO: Growth, Operations & Quality

AAOE - American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives; North Liberty (IA); On-site; USD 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center North Liberty (MCNL) seeks a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to lead the campus’ strategic direction, operations, growth, and financial stewardship. The CAO will partner with physicians, nurses, and enterprise leaders to optimize access, capacity, and program development across hospital and ambulatory services.

This senior executive will drive performance, coordinate enterprise services, and ensure the campus aligns with UI Health Care

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in health care administration, business, public health or related discipline.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible health care operations leadership.
• Proven ability to lead hospital operations, financial performance, quality and safety, and strategic execution.
• Strong communication with physicians, nurses, administrators, and enterprise functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of MCNL strategic and operating plans in alignment with UI Health Care priorities and the academic mission.
• Drive sustainable growth through improved access, capacity expansion, referral development, physician alignment, and disciplined clinical program development.
• Partner with clinical and enterprise leaders to evaluate market demand, service gaps, new programs, technologies, and opportunities to expand regional reach.
• Ensure clinics, imaging, operating room and campus expansion translate into measurable improvements in access, volume, quality, efficiency, and financial performance.
• Strengthen integration with other UI Health Care campuses and enterprise functions while maintaining clear local accountability for MCNL results.
• Provide executive oversight for all hospital and ambulatory operations, ensuring reliable 24/7 administrative leadership, operational readiness, and escalation pathways.
• Establish clear performance expectations, dashboards, operating reviews, and accountability mechanisms across the campus.
• Coordinate matrixed enterprise services and champion continuous improvement, standard work, productivity, benchmarking, and reduction of avoidable variation.
• Lead MCNL operating and capital performance in partnership with enterprise finance leaders, including budget development, forecasting, productivity, variance management, cost management, and financial improvement.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Data benchmarking

Education

Graduate degree in health care administration or related field

Job description

The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center North Liberty (MCNL) seeks a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to lead the campus’ strategic direction, operations, growth, and financial stewardship. The CAO will partner with physicians, nurses, and enterprise leaders to optimize access, capacity, and program development across hospital and ambulatory services.

This senior executive will drive performance, coordinate enterprise services, and ensure the campus aligns with UI Health Care