Chief Operating Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

ABOUT HL7 INTERNATIONAL

HL7 International is a global, member-driven non-profit dedicated to advancing healthcare data interoperability. The organization is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an international Standards Development Organization (SDO). Our widely adopted standards and frameworks are the foundation of health information exchange worldwide, enabling data to be shared, accessed, and applied to improve health outcomes and system performance.

We are entering an exciting new chapter of growth and transformation. Our strategic vision emphasizes brand recognition, revenue diversification and growth, and the ability to innovate in response to emerging healthcare challenges.

We seek a Chief Operating Officer (COO) who can translate HL7s strategic vision into day-to-day execution, ensuring that strategy becomes results. The COO will:

• Work across borders to support HL7s global reach and impact.
• Build operational systems that deliver quality, responsiveness, and accessibility for members and volunteers.
• Lead efficient, transparent, and sustainable operations that strengthen HL7s resilience and enable growth.
  

As HL7 Internationals COO, you will bring the leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to excellence needed to ensure that our standards, programs, and community consistently deliver value, impact, and innovation worldwide.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the CEO, the COO is a key member of the HL7 Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and an active participant in strategic planning and decision-making. The COO ensures organizational excellence across operations and serves as a connector between strategy and execution. With oversight of IT, Meetings and Events, Marketing, Communications, Membership, and HR, the COO enables HL7 to deliver on its mission through seamless collaboration, efficient systems, and global teamwork. This is a remote position based in the United States. Regional and international travel is required.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the CEO and the BoD to translate HL7s strategic vision into clear operational plans.
• Together with the CEO and the ELT, set a tone of financial discipline and shared accountability for HL7's long-term financial sustainability.
• Lead and/or direct special projects and organization-wide initiatives that advance HL7s mission and priorities.
• Serve as a liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders, including Board committees, partners, and affiliates.
• Coach and develop staff, ensuring that teams grow in capability and impact.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee HR, IT, Membership, Marketing, Communications, and Meetings & Events functions.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive business planning and performance system, setting clear goals, defining metrics, and ensuring regular evaluation of organizational progress to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure efficient, transparent systems and processes across all operational and administrative areas.
• Monitor and evaluate organizational processes, recommending improvements to enhance performance.
• Identify and implement innovative operational solutions that improve efficiency, agility, and member value.
• Establish clear performance metrics and use data to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee IT priorities and guide the technology team in supporting HL7s standards and community.

Sustaining ANSI Accreditation

• Ensure that the organization adheres to ANSIs Minimum Requirements in order to retain its accreditation as an internationally recognized SDO.
• As part of this role, the COO makes certain that all volunteer working groups meet requirements for transparency in processes, balance of stakeholder representation in standards development and balloting, and adherence to the Governance and Operations Manual, a foundational part of the ANSI requirements.

Finance & Accounting

• Partner with the CFO/Controller, the ELT, the Treasurer and the BoDs Finance Committee on budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Provide input into budget creation and annual forecasts, review payables weekly and financials quarterly.
• Prepare reports for the BoD meetings and other stakeholders as required.
• Oversee and support the accounting team to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting.

Meetings & Events

• Supervise the Director of Meetings to deliver high-value, cost-effective events.
• Oversee budgets, contracts, and logistics for Working Group Meetings (WGMs) and BoD meetings and retreats.
• Evaluate and approve affiliate proposals to host WGMs, develop budgets and make recommendations.

International Engagement

• Serve as liaison with the International Council and HL7 affiliates.
• Represent HL7 in international forums and serve on the HL7 Europe Board of Directors.
• Serve as a member of the HL7 Europe Executive Committee (EC), contributing to governance, financial and operational oversight, and alignment with HL7 Internationals strategic direction.

Membership, Marketing & Communications

• Supervise the Director of Membership to strengthen member value and engagement, and grow membership.
• Oversee the Marketing and Communications teams to ensure HL7 is well-positioned for growth and consistently represented as the global leader in healthcare data interoperability.

Culture & People

• Create a culture of operational excellence and accountability.
• Support collaboration across North American and international time zones and cultures, ensuring clarity and connection for staff and contractors.
• Organize key internal events, such as the annual staff gathering.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in business administration, healthcare management, or related field; Masters preferred.
• 8+ years in senior management, ideally within a healthcare or nonprofit setting. Familiarity with healthcare interoperability standards and ecosystem is a plus.
• Proven record of operational excellence with strong process, systems, and resource management expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee diverse functions: HR, IT, Finance, Membership, Marketing, and Events.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High integrity, dependability, and results orientation with a collaborative leadership style.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and support a highly knowledgeable and engaged volunteer base, recognizing their central role in advancing HL7s technical work.
• Evidence of entrepreneurial attitude and innovation in operations, with measurable improvements delivered.
• Strong track record of mentoring and developing teams to achieve high performance.
• Demonstrated expertise in business planning and performance management, including the ability to set clear organizational goals, define metrics and evaluation methods, and use data-driven insights to monitor progress and drive continuous improvement.