Executive Director-Operations

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Our mission is clear. We bring to life a healing ministry through our compassionate care and exceptional service.

At Mercy, we believe in careers that match the unique gifts of unique individuals – careers that not only make the most of your skills and talents, but also your heart. Join us and discover why Modern Healthcare Magazine named us in its “Top 100 Places to Work.”

Overview:

The Executive Director of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for Mercy Fort Smith Community’s four Critical Access Hospitals located in Booneville, Ozark, Paris, and Waldron. This role ensures operational excellence, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the ministry’s mission and values. The Executive Director oversees daily hospital operations, emergency department (ED) physician performance and scheduling, and collaborates with clinical, administrative, and medical staff leaders to drive performance across quality, safety, service, and financial outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Five (5) years of healthcare leadership experience for those meeting degree requirements. In lieu of degree, 10 years of leadership experience in an applicable healthcare setting.
• Required Education: HS diploma and Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in lieu of degree, as outlined below.
• Other: Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and establish and maintain working relationships with physicians, staff and the public. Ability to organize. Able to meet deadlines. Self-motivated. Ability to analyze balance sheets and income statements. Experience in managing accounts receivable. Working knowledge of CLIA, OSHA, NCQA and other accrediting bodies.
• Preferred Experience: Director level leadership experience preferred.
• Preferred Education: Masters Degree preferred.
• Preferred Licensure: Clinical

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide executive oversight for all operational functions of four Critical Access Hospitals, ensuring consistent performance, access, and experience across all sites.
• Lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives aligned with regional and ministry goals.
• Partner with Hospitalist providers, Directors of Nursing/Administrators, clinical leadership, clinic leadership, community hospital president, chief operating officer, chief nursing officer, chief medical officer, chief financial officer, and clinical directors to improve operational efficiencies and clinical outcomes.
• Monitor key performance indicators including length of stay, throughput, capacity, labor expense, and quality metrics.

Emergency Department Oversight

• Directly oversee all Emergency Department (ED) operations across the Critical Access Hospitals, including staffing, physician scheduling, and performance management.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality emergency care coverage and effective coordination with hospital and clinic services.
• Collaborate with physician leadership and contracted ED groups to maintain equitable and efficient provider schedules, manage locum utilization, and ensure compliance with coverage agreements.
• Analyze ED throughput, transfer rates, patient satisfaction, and provider productivity to inform scheduling and resource allocation.

Financial & Resource Management

• Develop and manage operational budgets, capital requests, and resource utilization for assigned facilities.
• Identify opportunities to enhance financial performance through efficiency, cost reduction, and growth strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all CMS, state, and accreditation standards applicable to Critical Access Hospitals.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop local hospital operations leaders to build high-performing, mission-driven teams.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement consistent with the organization’s values and Five Dimensions of Excellence.
• Support physician and APP engagement and retention through transparent communication, data-driven feedback, and alignment with compensation and performance expectations.

Strategic & Community Alignment

• Serve as an advocate for community health needs, maintaining strong relationships with local leaders and governing boards.
• Partner with ministry and regional leadership to align hospital operations with population health, access, and strategic growth initiatives.

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