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Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Chief Operating Officer

Louisville, KY · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Reports to: Executive Director Job Summary The COO is a pivotal member of our team responsible for overseeing daily operations and internal functions to ensure ...

Interim Hospital Chief Operating Officer (COO) Location: Various Duration: 3-6 months Start Date: Immediate Client Type: Acute Care Hospital / Health System About FOCUSPOINT: FOCUSPOINT specializes ...

Collaborate with the CEO, CFO, and COO to align clinical services with financial sustainability and organizational goals. * Evaluate and improve clinical productivity, provider efficiency, and care ...

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Chief Operating Officer information

See Kentucky salary details

$36K

$131.3K

$234.1K

How much do chief operating officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief operating officer in Kentucky is $131,324.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,800.00 and $160,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief operating officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Operating Officer, you need extensive leadership experience, strong business acumen, and a track record of operational excellence, typically supported by an advanced degree such as an MBA. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, financial management tools, and industry-specific compliance frameworks is often required. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills set outstanding COOs apart in leading cross-functional teams. These competencies are crucial for optimizing organizational efficiency, driving growth, and ensuring that operational strategies align with overall business objectives.

What does a chief operating officer typically do?

A chief operating officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a company, implementing business strategies, and ensuring operational efficiency. They often work closely with other executives, manage departmental managers, and focus on optimizing processes to support the company's goals.

Do chief operating officers make a lot of money?

Chief Operating Officers (COOs) are among the highest-paid executives in organizations, with median annual salaries often exceeding $150,000 and total compensation including bonuses and stock options reaching into the millions for large companies. Compensation varies based on company size, industry, location, and experience, and COOs typically have extensive leadership skills and industry knowledge. They often hold advanced degrees and significant managerial experience.

What is the difference between Chief Operating Officer vs Chief Financial Officer?

AspectChief Operating OfficerChief Financial Officer
Primary FocusOversees daily operations and overall business performanceManages financial planning, risk management, and financial reporting
Required CredentialsBusiness administration, management experience, often an MBAAccounting, finance degrees, CPA or CFA certifications
Work EnvironmentExecutive leadership, cross-departmental collaborationFinancial departments, strategic planning meetings
Industry UsageCommon in large corporations across industriesPrevalent in finance-heavy industries like banking, insurance

The Chief Operating Officer focuses on managing daily operations and ensuring business efficiency, while the Chief Financial Officer handles financial strategy and fiscal health. Both roles are vital in executive leadership but serve distinct functions within an organization.

How does a chief operating officer typically collaborate with other executive leaders to drive organizational success?

A Chief Operating Officer (COO) works closely with other C-suite executives, such as the CEO, CFO, and CTO, to align operational strategies with overall business goals. This collaboration often involves regular executive meetings, cross-departmental project oversight, and joint decision-making on key initiatives. COOs are responsible for ensuring that operational processes support the company's vision and frequently act as a bridge between upper management and department heads. Effective communication and coordination with fellow leaders are essential for optimizing resources, resolving challenges, and fostering a unified organizational direction.

What is a chief operating officer?

A Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a high-ranking executive responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational functions of a company. The COO works closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to implement business strategies, optimize processes, and ensure that the organization runs efficiently. Their duties often include managing departments, improving productivity, and coordinating cross-functional teams. The role of a COO can vary depending on the company's size and industry, but their main goal is to ensure effective operations and drive organizational growth.

What is a typical chief operating officer salary?

The average salary for a chief operating officer (COO) in the United States ranges from $120,000 to $250,000 annually, with higher compensation often linked to company size, industry, and experience. Executive-level benefits and bonuses are also common components of total compensation for COOs.
More about Chief Operating Officer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Operating Officer jobs in Kentucky? The most popular types of Chief Operating Officer jobs in Kentucky are:
What are popular job titles related to Chief Operating Officer jobs in Kentucky? For Chief Operating Officer jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chief Operating Officer jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Operating Officer jobs in Kentucky are:
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Chief Operating Officer jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Chief Operating Officer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Chief Operating Officer jobs in KY? For Chief Operating Officer jobs in KY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Chief Operating Officer job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $131,324 per year, or $63.1 per hour.

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Re-posted 10 days ago


Appalachian Regional Healthcare rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

605th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview

The COO, in dyad partnership with the hospital's CNO, is responsible and accountable for the safe and effective day-to-day operation of the appointed hospital. The COO will have direct responsibility for directing many of the hospital's individual departments and functions. The COO is responsible and accountable for directing all appointed responsibilities along each domain of the "Triple Aim" (patient safety and quality, service, and financial performance): Developing, nurturing and improving a safe and cost-effective clinical culture that produce predictable patient outcomes; Developing, nurturing and improving a service culture that supports and engages employees, medical staff, patients and the community; and Developing, nurturing and improving a cost-effective operating culture that achieves established objectives.At all times, the COO will conduct her/himself in accordance with ARH's behavioral standards and will execute her/his duties in accordance with established laws, rules, regulations and standards of all applicable governmental, regulatory and accrediting bodies, and with the policies and procedures of the appointed hospital, region, and system.

Responsibilities

Beyond those above, the primary duties of the COO are generally described below.  These essential functions are not intended to be, and should not be considered to be, a comprehensive list of duties or expectations.

  • Hospital Performance - COO is responsible and accountable for the performance of the appointed departments and functions. As such, the COO shall develop and implement impactful strategies and plans to achieve established performance objectives along each domain of the Triple Aim. 
    • Patient Safety & Quality - COO is responsible and accountable for developing and sustainably improving a clinical culture within the appointed departments and functions that is safe, efficient, and consistently produces expected patient outcomes in a cost-effective way
      • Accreditation - The primary role of accrediting and regulating bodies is to assure that participating providers have sufficient policies, practices and safeguards in place to assure delivery of safe and predictable services to patients. COO is responsible and accountable for adherence to all relevant standards of applicable accrediting and regulatory bodies (e.g. JC, DNV, CMS, OIG, etc.). COO will assure accreditation readiness within the appointed departments and functions at all times, whether those surveys are planned and expected or not.
    • Service & Engagement - COO is responsible and accountable for sustainably improving the engagement and loyalty of the employees, medical staff and patients of the appointed hospital.
    • Financial Effectiveness - COO is responsible and accountable for developing and sustainably improving an operating culture that conducts its daily activities in an efficient and cost-effective manner, and in which achieves established financial performance objectives.
  • Medical Staff Relations - COO is responsible and accountable for developing, nurturing and maintaining meaningful relationships with members of the medical staff and other providers, both independent and employed.
  • Market Relevance - COO will participate in any and all strategic planning endeavors of the appointed hospital, and will embrace all commissioned strategies and plans intended to sustainably improve the appointed hospital's role and relevance within the communities it serves.
  • Corporate Citizenry - COO is responsible and accountable for being a good corporate citizen. In addition to abiding by established policies and procedures, behavioral standards and other expectations, corporate citizenry includes but is not limited to: working effectively within ARH's matrixed reporting environment; working effectively with local-, regional- and system-level resources; and embracing ARH's commitment to optimizing the value of its "system-ness" (e.g. regionalization, collaboration, etc.).
  • Community Citizenry - COO shall at all times conduct her/himself in a personal and professional manner consistent with ARH's behavioral standards. Beyond her/his personal membership and participation with the community, COO will develop and maintain a constructive relationship with community stakeholders.

All policies, procedures, practices, and standards referenced above and elsewhere in this document are subject to, and likely will, change from time to time.  Adherence to any changes to them will continue to be the responsibility and accountability of the COO. 

Likewise, any and all responsibilities, duties and reporting relationships referenced above and elsewhere in this document may change from time to time.  Any such change will be subject to the responsibilities, accountabilities and other provisions of this position description.

Qualifications

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Ability to inspire and lead others, the humility to listen to and follow others, and the knowledge and discipline to know when to do which; Ability to adapt to and manage change in a timely and effective way; Ability to manage and mitigate conflict, including situations where COO is a party to said conflict; Courage to challenge established norms (policies, procedures, practices, directives, etc.) in an appropriate and impactful way; Humility to accept and embrace regional- or system-level strategies and endeavors which may from time to time be uncomfortable; Courage to ask for resources or help when necessary to accomplish established objectives or other expectations; Ability to think strategically to find novel solutions to complex problems; Energy, focus and aptitude necessary to effectively fulfil the duties of the role; Ability to surround a problem with the right people to affect a timely and effective solution; Ability to manage difficulty and crisis in a measured and effective manner, relying on data and counsel where able; and Possess an action-oriented disposition, relying on data and counsel where possible.

Education COO will be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a master's degree in Hospital Administration, Business Administration, or other relevant field of study.

Minimum Work Experience Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years' experience in senior-level roles within a healthcare facility.

Employment Type: OTHER

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