The posting
Job Description:
Regional Operating Officer
Location: North Central Region - Columbia, Missouri
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Summary:
Are you a visionary healthcare leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and creating meaningful impact across communities? Join our executive leadership team as the Regional Operating Officer (ROO), North Central Region, where you'll play a critical role in shaping the future of behavioral health and healthcare services throughout the region.
As a strategic partner to the Regional President, the Regional Operating Officer serves as a key executive leader responsible for guiding operations, clinical service delivery, organizational growth, financial performance, quality outcomes, and workforce engagement. This role provides the opportunity to influence regional strategy, lead transformational initiatives, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure individuals and families receive exceptional care across the healthcare continuum.
The ideal candidate is an innovative and collaborative leader who can balance big-picture strategy with operational execution. You'll work closely with executive leadership, physicians, clinical leaders, administrators, and community stakeholders to advance organizational goals while fostering a culture of accountability, belonging, excellence, and continuous improvement.
Columbia offers an exceptional quality of life, combining the opportunities of a thriving healthcare and university community with a welcoming Midwestern atmosphere. From nationally recognized healthcare organizations and educational institutions to extensive outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and affordable living, Columbia provides an outstanding environment to build both your career and your life.
This position offers…
• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
• Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel
• Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition
• Workplace Culture – An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce
• Executive Leadership Opportunity – Influence regional strategy, operational excellence, and organizational growth
• Meaningful Community Impact – Help expand access to care and improve outcomes for individuals and families throughout the region
• Collaborative Executive Team – Partner with senior leaders in shaping the future of healthcare delivery
• Additional Perks & Benefits – Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more
Key Responsibilities:
• Serve as the senior operational leader for the North Central Region and provide day-to-day executive oversight of regional operations
• Lead vice presidents, directors, and managers to achieve strategic, operational, clinical, financial, and quality objectives
• Direct assigned regional departments and service lines while ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and regional goals
• Drive operational excellence through workflow optimization, performance management, service delivery improvements, and process innovation
• Partner with the Regional President, C-Suite leadership, and key stakeholders to establish and execute short-term and long-term strategic plans
• Develop and monitor operational metrics, productivity standards, performance indicators, and outcome measures that support organizational success
• Ensure high-quality, safe, efficient, and compliant service delivery across all assigned operational areas
• Support financial performance through operational analysis, resource management, revenue optimization, and budget oversight
• Identify emerging community needs and guide the development of innovative clinical and operational solutions
• Collaborate with physicians, clinical leaders, administrative teams, and corporate departments to strengthen care integration and organizational effectiveness
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community leaders, healthcare partners, referral sources, governmental agencies, and key stakeholders
• Promote a culture of trust, belonging, accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement
• Monitor regulatory changes, industry trends, accreditation requirements, and healthcare best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and organizational readiness
• Champion organizational change initiatives and support leaders through successful implementation of new programs, services, and operational strategies
• Strengthen communication and collaboration across leadership teams, departments, and service lines
• Provide executive-level support and consultation to the Regional President, Chief Operating Officer, Market Operating Officer, and senior leadership team
• Serve as regional leadership support in the absence of the Regional President
Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Behavioral Health, Human Services, or a related field required
• Master's degree, Doctorate, or MBA preferred
• Advanced clinical training in a healthcare, behavioral health, or human services discipline preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive healthcare leadership experience with responsibility for operational oversight, program development, and organizational performance
• Experience leading complex healthcare systems, multidisciplinary teams, and multiple service lines preferred
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, operational improvement, financial stewardship, business development, and performance management
• Experience supporting healthcare operations, integrated care models, regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and quality initiatives
• Professional licensure as an LPC, LCSW, Psychologist, or other relevant healthcare discipline preferred
• Strong understanding of healthcare operations, clinical service delivery, population health strategies, and healthcare financing
Additional Qualifications:
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams through collaboration, accountability, and servant leadership
• Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze operational, financial, and performance data to drive strategic decisions
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to effectively communicate vision, priorities, and expectations across all organizational levels
• Demonstrated success in developing leaders, building teams, and fostering employee engagement
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making capabilities
• Ability to manage complex initiatives while balancing competing organizational priorities
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Current driver's license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance required
• Successful completion of all required background screenings
Physical Requirements
• Perform sedentary work involving prolonged periods of sitting, meetings, travel, computer use, and administrative activities
• Occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects
• Frequently perform repetitive hand, finger, and arm movements associated with technology and office equipment
• Travel throughout the region as needed to support operational oversight, stakeholder engagement, and leadership responsibilities
• Maintain the physical ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation
Why You'll Love This Role
• Lead strategy and operations across a multi-service healthcare region
• Partner directly with executive leadership on transformational initiatives
• Influence organizational growth, quality outcomes, and community impact
• Develop high-performing leaders and strengthen regional teams
• Help shape the future of integrated behavioral health and healthcare services
• Work for a mission-driven organization committed to serving individuals, families, and communities
• Make a lasting impact on both organizational success and the lives of those who depend on our services
Lead the Future of Care
Great organizations are built by leaders who inspire others, drive innovation, and never lose sight of the people they serve. As Regional Operating Officer, you'll have the opportunity to influence regional strategy, strengthen operations, develop future leaders, and expand access to high-quality care across the North Central Region. If you're ready to lead at a strategic level while making a meaningful difference in communities, we encourage you to apply today.



Position Perks & Benefits:
Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life
Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more
Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive
Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within
Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness.



Brightli is on a Mission:
A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.
As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Burrell Behavioral Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.
