Associate Chief Operating Officer (ACOO) Main ART/IOP

Job Description Summary

The Associate Chief Operating Officer (ACOO) for MUSC Health Charleston Division provides executive oversight of facility operations, regulatory readiness, strategic project execution and driving high-performance in-patient experience across University Medical Center (UMC), Ashley River Tower (ART), and Institute of Psychiatry (IOP).

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC004049 CHS - Charleston COO

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-00

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

The ACOO leads UMC, ART and IOP efforts to sustain survey readiness, proactively identifying and resolving environment of care risks, life safety concerns, and operational deficiencies. This position serves as the central executive authority for building-related issues, ensuring rapid resolution and minimizing disruption to patient care. The ACOO will help oversee emergency management planning and response, in collaboration with the Charleston Division COO, ensuring organizational readiness for internal and external events, coordinating incident command structures, and maintaining compliance with all emergency preparedness requirements.

 

In addition, the ACOO provides executive oversight for a portfolio of major and minor capital and operational projects, including renovations, infrastructure upgrades, and new construction initiatives. This includes governance of project prioritization, feasibility studies, resource alignment, and execution to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in alignment with organizational standards. The role ensures that project management and facilities-related initiatives are centrally led and coordinated, rather than decentralized across clinical service lines.

 

The ACOO is also responsible for driving high-performance in-patient experience metrics related to the care environment, including Press Ganey scores across emergency departments, inpatient units, and procedural areas. This includes ensuring cleanliness, responsiveness, safety, and overall environment of care contribute positively to patient perception and satisfaction.

 

This leader partners clinical and administrative stakeholders to support operations while clearly delineating accountability for facilities management, regulatory compliance, emergency preparedness, and project execution within the ACOO portfolio. The role emphasizes disciplined operational oversight, proactive risk mitigation, and a culture of accountability to ensure that all facilities consistently meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and readiness.

Minimum Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in healthcare administration, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive healthcare operations leadership experience, preferably within an academic medical center or large integrated health system.

• Demonstrated experience leading multi-department operations and large, complex initiatives.

• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and performance metrics.

• Proven ability to lead through change and manage high-stakes operational challenges.

 

Preferred

• Senior leadership experience in hospital operations, facilities, or Environment of Care within a complex academic medical center, preferably like MUSC Health Charleston Division

• Deep expertise in regulatory and accreditation readiness, including The Joint Commission standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, Department of Public Health and Life Safety Code compliance

• Extensive experience overseeing hospital facilities, infrastructure, and ensuring buildings are maintained in pristine, patient-ready condition

• Demonstrated leadership in capital project oversight, including major/minor construction, renovations, and feasibility studies within active healthcare environments

• Experience leading emergency management and incident command (e.g., HICS), including organizational response to internal and external events

• Track record of improving environment-related patient experience metrics, including Press Ganey scores across ED, inpatient, and procedural settings

 

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking with strong execution discipline

• Collaborative, relationship-driven leadership style

• Data-driven decision making

• Exceptional communication and influence skills

• Calm, decisive leadership in high-pressure situations
  

Physical Requirements: 1) (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift; 2) (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift; 3) (I) Infrequent – 0-2 hours per shift Ability to perform job functions while standing. (C). Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (C) Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous) Ability to climb stairs. (I) Ability to work indoors.  (C) Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (I) Ability to work from elevated areas. (F) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (F) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (I) Ability to bend at the waist. (C) Ability to twist at the waist. (F) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (F) Ability to perform “pinching” operations. (F) Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (C) Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (C) Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (C) Ability to reach overhead. (F) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (C) Ability to fully use both legs. (C) Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination.  (F) Ability to reach in all directions. (C) Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (I) Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (I) Ability to lift from 36” to overhead 25 lbs. (I) Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (F) Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that cannot assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force. For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker. 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet. 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand. Ability to maintain vision 20/40 corrected. (C) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (C) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (C) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (C) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (C) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (C) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (C) Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (C) Ability to work rotating shifts. (F) Ability to work overtime as required. (F) Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (C) *Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (C) *(Selected Positions) *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (C) *(Selected Positions) *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (C) (Selected Positions) *

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent, and 10 years of progressive experience including 8 years in management/leadership roles.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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