Chief Operating Officer (COO)

About Network for Hope

Network for Hope is transforming the future of organ, tissue, and eye donation. As a collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven organization, we work alongside our partners and community to honor donors and save and heal lives through the gift of donation. Join us in our mission to save and heal more lives. 

NFH serves nearly 7 million people across four states: Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Within this region, NFH partners with nearly 200 hospitals and transplant centers to coordinate organ, tissue, and eye donation and expand access to life-saving transplantation. 

We are seeking an experienced and mission-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our executive leadership team and help lead the organization through the next phase of growth, operational excellence, and mission impact.

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead within a mission-driven organization dedicated to honoring donors and saving lives through organ, tissue, and eye donation. At Network for Hope, we partner with our community to expand the impact of donation while fostering a culture grounded in collaboration, innovation, authenticity, excellence, and belonging. As COO, you will play a key role in advancing this mission and shaping the future of donation.

Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer provides strategic and operational leadership across NFH's core programs and services. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO works closely with the executive leadership team and Board of Directors to advance NFH's mission, strengthen operational performance, and ensure the delivery of high-quality donation services.

The COO oversees major operational functions including organ services, tissue services, and hospital partnership services, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, clinical excellence standards, and organizational strategy. This role plays a critical part in advancing donation outcomes, strengthening hospital partnerships, and fostering a high-performing, mission-driven culture across the organization.

This position will involve regular regional travel throughout NFH's donation service area to support operational oversight, partner engagement, and organizational initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team to shape and execute the strategic vision of Network for Hope.
• Represent the organization with healthcare leaders, regulatory partners, and industry stakeholders.

Operational Leadership

• Provide executive oversight of organ and tissue donation operations, ensuring high-quality services and strong performance outcomes.
• Drive operational excellence through performance improvement initiatives and best practice implementation.

Regulatory & Quality Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards related to organ and tissue donation.
• Promote clinical excellence through standardized processes and continuous quality improvement.

Financial Stewardship

• Collaborate with the CEO and CFO to support strong financial performance, effective resource allocation, and sustainable growth.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop senior operational leaders while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

External Engagement & Innovation

• Build strong partnerships with hospitals, transplant centers, and community stakeholders.
• Leverage data, innovation, and emerging best practices to enhance donation outcomes and operational performance.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success leading high-performing leadership teams and complex healthcare operations.
• Experience driving organizational performance improvement and achieving measurable outcomes.
• Proven strategic leadership and operational management capabilities, with the ability to align operational priorities with long-term organizational goals.
• Strong data-driven decision-making skills, including the ability to analyze complex information and translate insights into operational improvements and measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with executive leadership, board members, healthcare partners, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations through growth, transformation, or operational change while maintaining strong team engagement and performance.
• A deep commitment to the mission, with a passion for advancing organ, tissue, and eye donation and improving outcomes.

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, public health, or related field required.
• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in operational or strategic management.
• Senior leadership experience in an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) strongly preferred, or significant leadership experience within complex healthcare systems.

Network for Hope is an equal opportunity employer and a participant of E-Verify.