AVP Operational Excellence

Ardent Health is a leading provider of healthcare in growing mid-sized urban communities across the U.S. With a focus on people and investments in innovative services and technologies, Ardent is passionate about making healthcare better and easier to access. Through its subsidiaries, Ardent delivers care through a system of 30 acute care hospitals, 24,000 team members and more than 280 sites of care with over 1,800 affiliated providers across six states.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The AVP Operational Excellence is responsible for executing system-level strategic initiatives across Ardent’s physician enterprise and urgent care network. This role focuses on translating organizational strategy into highly effective operational tactics that improve performance, standardize processes, and strengthen clinical and administrative operations across markets. Working closely with the President and SVP of Health Services, this leader drives operational transformation through disciplined execution, structured change management, and continuous performance improvement. The role partners with market leadership, physician leaders, and system teams to implement scalable operational models, improve operational consistency, and ensure alignment with enterprise priorities. The AVP will play a key role in advancing operational excellence across ambulatory care by improving workflows, strengthening operational infrastructure, and ensuring effective implementation of strategic initiatives that support growth, efficiency, and high-quality care delivery.

1. Translates enterprise strategy into operational plans that drive performance across physician practices and urgent care sites.
2. Partners with system, market, and clinical leadership to implement priorities, align operations, and ensure accountability.
3. Ensures consistent execution of operational standards and scalable best practices across all ambulatory locations.
4. Leads operational improvement initiatives focused on access, throughput, staffing models, and clinic efficiency.
5. Drives integration across ambulatory networks to support coordinated, efficient, and patient‑centered care delivery.
6. Optimizes workflows and technology-enabled operations, including Epic workflows, digital tools, and automation platforms.
7. Uses operational analytics and performance metrics to identify opportunities, guide decisions, and deliver measurable results.
8. Implements standardized frameworks, policies, and procedures that support operational discipline and systemwide consistency.
9. Leads large-scale change initiatives across multiple markets, ensuring adoption, sustainability, and performance improvement.
10. Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across system operations and clinical teams.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Engineering, or related field of study.
• 7 years in healthcare operations with demonstrated success in strategic design and technology integrations.
• Operational experience in physician practices & urgent care
• Expertise in EPIC systems, HUB processes, labor management, AI-driven solutions, data analytics, and value-based care models; strong leadership and innovation mindset.
• Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Engineering, or related field of study, preferred.
• Organizational design and process improvement experience, preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience leading operational improvement initiatives within physician practices, ambulatory networks, or urgent care organizations.
• Experience working within complex, multi-market healthcare systems preferred.
• Experience implementing operational transformation initiatives across large organizations preferred.
• Ability to synthesize information, formulate and implement the plan
• Self-directed, willingness to take initiatives
• Strong communication skills – verbal and written
• Experience working within highly matrixed and complex organizations
• Knowledge of billing and collection process and systems
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Some travel maybe required
• Experiencing implementing organization roles at various levels (system, regional/division, market, etc.)