Minimum Entry Salary *: Negotiable Based Upon Experience
Location: Americus, GA or Warner Robins, GA
Services Area/Programs: Executive
Description of Duties:
Position Summary:
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing and integrating the administrative, operational, and organizational infrastructure of a community‑based behavioral health organization. The CAO ensures operational excellence, regulatory and accreditation compliance, performance improvement, and alignment with the organization’s mission to deliver accessible, high‑quality behavioral health services across Georgia.
The CAO serves as a strategic partner to the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors and plays a critical role in supporting organizational sustainability, growth, and accountability within a complex regulatory environment that includes Georgia DBHDD, Medicaid, Care Management Organizations (CMOs), and CARF accreditation standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Executive Leadership & Organizational Strategy: Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to organizational vision, strategy, and decision‑making. Collaborate with the CEO and executive leadership to develop and execute multi‑year strategic plans and annual operating goals. Translate strategic priorities into actionable operational plans with clearly defined timelines, responsibilities, and performance metrics. Support Board of Directors engagement by preparing reports, dashboards, and updates related to operational performance and strategic initiatives. Monitor internal and external trends impacting community‑based behavioral health services in Georgia and integrate findings into strategic planning.
Administrative & Operational Oversight: Provide executive oversight of day‑to‑day administrative and operational functions to ensure efficient, compliant, and mission‑aligned service delivery. Lead and support administrative departments. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to access to services, productivity, quality, staff performance, and cost efficiency. Ensure policies, procedures, and workflows to promote consistency, accountability, and operational effectiveness.
Performance Improvement & Quality Management: Provide executive leadership for the organization’s Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI/PI) framework. Ensure systematic collection, analysis, and use of performance and outcomes data to drive continuous quality improvement across programs. Partner with clinical, compliance, and operational leaders to establish measurable goals aligned with regulatory, contractual, and accreditation requirements. Review audit findings, performance reports, and outcomes trends; ensure corrective action plans are developed, implemented, and evaluated for effectiveness. Promote a culture of data‑informed decision‑making, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and contractual requirements. Oversee readiness for audits, monitoring visits, and site reviews conducted by regulators, funders, and accrediting bodies. Identify organizational risks and implement strategies to mitigate clinical, financial, operational, and compliance risks. Ensure timely reporting, documentation, and follow‑up related to compliance activities.
CARF Accreditation & Standards Compliance: Serve as executive sponsor for CARF accreditation, ensuring ongoing compliance with CARF Behavioral Health and Employment and Community Services standards. Oversee organizational self‑assessments, gap analyses, and action plans related to CARF standards. Ensure CARF principles—including person‑centered, rights‑based, outcomes‑focused care—are embedded in policies, procedures, and daily operations. Coordinate leadership and staff engagement in accreditation preparation, training, and survey readiness. Monitor and ensure completion of CARF recommendations and quality improvement plans following accreditation surveys.
Human Resources & Workforce Infrastructure: Partner with Human Resources leadership to support workforce recruitment, onboarding, credentialing, training, and retention. Ensure personnel policies and practices align with employment law, licensure requirements, and best practices in behavioral health. Support leadership development, performance management, and succession planning initiatives. Promote a positive organizational culture grounded in inclusion, accountability, and mission alignment.
Financial & Contract Support: Collaborate with the CFO and finance team on budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial sustainability efforts. Support contract development, negotiations, and oversight with payers, CMOs, vendors, and community partners. Monitor administrative costs and resource utilization to ensure fiscal responsibility while supporting high‑quality service delivery.
Systems, Technology & Data Infrastructure: Oversee administrative and operational systems, including EHRs, HRIS, and reporting platforms. Promote the use of technology and process improvements to enhance efficiency, data integrity, and regulatory compliance. Ensure timely, accurate data reporting to leadership, funders, regulators, and the Board of Directors.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in operations management, business administration, or a related field, which includes seven (7) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or ten (10) years of related professional experience which includes seven (7) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or seven (7) years of experience required at the lower, Business Ops (GSM014) or position equivalent. Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health Administration, Behavioral Health, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including 3–5 years in a senior management or executive role.
- Demonstrated experience in community‑based behavioral health, public sector healthcare, or nonprofit health organizations.
- Working knowledge of Georgia DBHDD, Medicaid, CMO‑based systems of care, and behavioral health regulatory requirements.
- Proven ability to lead complex operations, manage multidisciplinary teams, and drive organizational improvement.
- Master’s degree (MHA, MBA, MPH, MSW, or related field).
- Experience with CARF‑accredited organizations.
- Experience supporting organizational growth, service expansion, or system transformation.
- Familiarity with recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed, and culturally responsive systems of care.
- Experience working with Boards of Directors and nonprofit governance structures.
Agency is an eligible worksite for the VA Education Benefit Program (Veterans)
Agency is an eligible work site for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Middle Flint Health & Wellness services the following 11 counties: Webster, Marion, Sumter, Schley, Taylor, Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Houston, Peach and Crawford.
Middle Flint Health & Wellness is a Drug Free Workplace. Current Middle Flint applications should be filled out carefully and completely. Describe background in full and make certain application is signed. Incomplete applications or applications with insufficient information can result in an applicant not being considered for the vacancy. Please KEEP a copy of your application. All applications must be received (not postmarked) by the above specified deadline. Finger- printing and/or Drug Screening may be required, if appointed. Any male applicant between 18 and 26 years of age must present proof of having registered with the Selective Service as required by federal and state law, or of being exempt from such registration.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Middle Flint Health & Wellness does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. An applicant who has a disability which requires special accommodations should contact this office.
* ENTRY SALARY may be adjusted depending upon the selected candidate’s qualifications and agency budget considerations.