Chief Operating Officer
Spectrum Health Systems
Worcester, Massachusetts

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a nationally accredited and nationally recognized nonprofit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider and a leader in innovative, cutting-edge recovery services is seeking nominations and applications for the position of Chief Operating Officer. Founded in 1969 as “Spectrum House,” the agency now operates nearly 100 institutional and community-based programs in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Georgia, Tennessee, Maine, Maryland, Iowa, and Washington State, and serves more than 20,000 individuals each year. Spectrum provides clients with innovative mental health and substance abuse treatment, caring for people with complex addictions and mental health disorders in a supportive and client-focused environment. Spectrum distinguishes itself from other leaders in the field with state of the art facilities, long-tenured executive leadership, committed staff, and an outstanding reputation for changing and saving lives.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the next Chief Operating Officer will join Spectrum Health Systems at a time where rapid, program expansion, increased contract competition, and greater reimbursement complexity combine to demand a renewed focus on internal strategy, leadership development, and the building of a savvier structure that will keep pace with a changing landscape and expected growth during the next five to ten years. The Chief Operating Officer leads both the strategy and day-to-day operations of a full array of outpatient and residential programs. S/he will be a key leader in the organization, able to fully manage, drive and direct operations, and manage a staff of 11 professionals. In addition, the Chief Operating Officer will devise, implement, and administer Spectrum’s programs and policies; assure compliance with all regulatory and/or governing bodies; replicate and expand service lines; respond to new business initiatives; build new programs; and maintain Spectrum’s exceptional service reputation.

The ideal candidate will have 10-15 years of experience in a large, nonprofit organization, preferably in the health care field, the ability to lead and manage in a complex environment, a penchant for business processes, strong management experience, and proven ability to develop, manage, and steward diverse finances, contracts, and programs in a client-focused environment. Experience in the mental health/addictions field is desired, but not required. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to:
SHS-COO@NonprofitProfessionals.com by August 13, 2010. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Since its inception in 1969 as “Spectrum House,” Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. has grown its programs and services, reaching outside of Massachusetts to become New England’s largest non-profit provider for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and mental health issues. Long recognized for its community accessibility, outstanding clinical practice and commitment to recovery, Spectrum offers a complete array of outpatient, inpatient and correctional programs that reach over 20,000 individuals each year through nearly 100 institutional and community based programs from Maine to Washington State including Massachusetts, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Tennessee and Iowa In all areas, programming is comprehensive, client-driven and responsive to the diverse individual needs and is available in institutional, community and home-based settings. Spectrum Health Systems meets its mission through delivery of outstanding services in its three divisions: behavioral health, juvenile services and correctional services.

With over 1,000 employees across the nation and a $50 million operating budget, Spectrum Health Systems has been a pioneer in the field of substance abuse, and is a service innovator for men, women, juveniles and adults involved with the criminal justice system. Addiction does not discriminate, and over the last 40 years, Spectrum has changed the lives of individuals and their families by engaging them in life-long recovery. Led by a talented and committed team of clinicians, physicians, nurses, counselors, case managers and youth workers, many of Spectrum’s programs are accredited by CARF (the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities), demonstrating best practice in addiction and treatment programs through high-quality, cost effective and outcome driven services.

In the last ten years, Spectrum has overcome immense obstacles and financial challenges resulting from a former management contract with a private, for-profit provider. Upon terminating the management contract and separating from its leadership, the organization faced an immediate need to re-establish its infrastructure to remain a respected, high quality service provider. During the last ten years, Spectrum’s dedicated, committed, and highly sophisticated staff has rebuilt the organization, attaining a profitable, decidedly reputable, and cutting-edge leadership role in the addictions and recovery field. Today, Spectrum is a healthy and fiscally sound organization that has strong partnerships with national public sector purchasers and leaders in the corrections, substance abuse, mental health, and juvenile justice arenas.

Spectrum has emerged with a strong reputation for strategic management, exemplary services, committed staff and is the provider of choice for states, clients and families dealing with the impact of addiction and their life-long commitment to recovery. In recognition of its national operation, Spectrum's corporate infrastructure provides specialized expertise in the areas of clinical design, human resources, professional development, risk management, compliance and quality improvement. Spectrum remains dedicated to its core services and to strengthening its reputation through significant regional and national ambulatory expansion and the new COO will be an important champion for stewarding Spectrum forward.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will lead Spectrum Health Systems’ program operations, human resources, risk management, compliance and quality improvement initiatives throughout the organization. As a senior executive team member, the COO will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Vice President of Clinical Services to help set strategy, prioritize goals, and implement plans to achieve success. S/he will have direct oversight of the community and residential behavioral health and juvenile divisions, human resources, facilities, compliance, strategic development and community relations.

The Chief Operating Officer will rise to attend to the following challenges of the position and will capitalize on the opportunities inherent in each:

Lead, manage and mentor program directors to provide the highest quality services, outstanding customer service and comprehensive programming to meet a diverse set of client needs.

• Provide executive leadership across operations to insure resource coordination, program quality, and integration of Spectrum’s high quality and comprehensive services.

• Serve as a liaison to the Board of Directors in an executive management capacity and an advocate for programs.

• Mentor and supervise program directors to create strategic and effective program structures, ensuring compliance with Spectrum’s policies and procedures.

• Collaborate and lead management team to meet the highest accreditation, contractual and organization standards, and wherever possible, exceed standards and expectations.

• Work collaboratively with the Executive Vice President of Clinical Services to develop innovative program approaches, deliver best practices, continuing education opportunities and staff programs in a challenging, ever changing, demanding and outcome driven environment.

• Develop expertise in each program’s capacity, reimbursement mechanisms, and client outcomes to maximize funding from all contracts.

• Lead and monitor risk management, policy initiatives, interpretation and recommend changes for organization-wide policies and practices, adhering to or exceeding compliance and regulatory agency standards.

Create and implement strategic directions to ensure regional service growth and national expansion.

• Lead, identify and execute new business development opportunities on behalf of Spectrum Health Systems in the external market to government agencies, funding sources and regulatory organizations.

• Spearhead, lead and manage internal strategic planning efforts under direction of CEO across the organization by collaborating with the Board of Directors, executive management and agency staff to meet fast-paced, deadline driven program development initiatives and opportunities.

• Work collaboratively with executive management and other staff, as directed, to produce thoughtful programmatic and financial analysis for new business opportunities and proposal development.

• Establish and cultivate ongoing, positive relationships with a variety of local, regional and national funding sources on behalf of Spectrum Health System.

• Serve as the organizational liaison for contracting oversight with public and private purchasers of services.

Collaborate and liaison within CFO and Program Directors to generate, evaluate and maximize revenue and programmatic goals.

• Advocate alongside and support the CFO and Program Directors to develop capital and operating budgets throughout the organization. Build on existing benchmarks and targets to assess programmatic gains and to demonstrate the tremendous impact of services.

• Contribute to organization-wide revenue forecasting through active partnership with the CFO and Executive Management.

• Liaison and coordinate with Program and Finance teams to assure organizational goals, funding requirements and client needs are achieved. Demonstrate through comprehensive narrative and financial reporting to Executive Management, regulatory and funding agencies.

Lead, oversee and manage Human Resource department for an organization with over 1,000 employees.

• Directly supervise and manage the Vice President of Human Resources, working collaboratively to create a workplace that supports and values its employees.

• Provide oversight and assist with the design of employee benefit plans, leading negotiations alongside VP of Human Resources and CFO with benefit providers and contractors.

• Work collaboratively with VP of Human Resources, VP of Clinical Services and Program Managers to attract, train, and evaluate employees in a diverse workplace with a keen sense and focus on quality of care and customer service.

• Ensure compliance with established personnel policies throughout programs, facilities and central office.

• Serve as arbitrator in a nonunion environment to reconcile extraordinary employee conflicts under the direction of internal and external advisors such as legal consultants, whenever necessary.

Work closely with the Chief Executive Officer to cultivate, steward and nurture leadership at all levels of the organization, ensuring Spectrum’s next generation of leadership.

• Working to strengthen and support Spectrum’s long history of committed and talented employees, the COO will develop a leadership development plan in partnership with the CEO and senior management, preparing a foundation for the next generation of Spectrum management and leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will bring solid operations, finance, human resources and strategic planning experience to the position. S/he will have a keen understanding of health care administration, reimbursement mechanisms, public funding streams and business development in a large organization, with multiple sites and a national footprint. S/he will have executive or senior level management experience, demonstrated management practice and the ability to make strategic decisions, lead diverse staff and to evaluate financial and programmatic progress. The successful COO will demonstrate an ongoing commitment to expanding his/her knowledge base in management services, health care and addiction services and will possess advanced oral and written communication skills. Finally, the successful candidate will possess a superior work ethic, humility, and dedication toward fulfilling Spectrum Health Systems core mission and values.

While no one person will embody all of the qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

• A master’s degree in management, public administration, public health, health care administration or equivalent experience required;

• A minimum of seven to ten years of proven, successful, senior management experience, preferably in a health care setting such as an inpatient, ambulatory or long-term health care facility. Mental Health and addiction experience is preferred, but not required;

• Entrepreneurial instincts to develop and create programs and systems as needed paired with the flexibility to respond efficiently and effectively to business development initiatives, health care accreditation, risk management and human resource responsibilities;

• Demonstrated budget development experience and the proven ability to interpret, forecast and manage financial statements;

• A strategic and comprehensive approach to planning and decision making; the ability to back assertions with facts and data; ability to manage time and plan effectively while balancing multiple tasks and demands simultaneously;

• Proven programmatic, technical, and managerial ability and diplomatic interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with professional colleagues and clients in a health care setting;

• Ability to navigate across a complex organization, a considerable personal presence and the ability to lead programs and organizations with balanced compassion and a practical, strategic business sense; and,

• Strong, independent work ethic and comfort working with minimal supervision, and the capacity and willingness to roll up one’s sleeves to accomplish any task.

TO APPLY

More information about Spectrum Health Systems may be found at www.spectrumhealthsystems.org. 

Due to the pace of this search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and no later than August 13, 2010. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to: SHS-COO@NonprofitProfessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

Spectrum Health Systems is an equal opportunity employer.