Positive Impact Health Centers
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Positive Impact Health Centers, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30383
A Unique Opportunity
Positive Impact Health Centers (PIHC) is the largest provider of care for people affected by HIV in Georgia. For more than three decades, PIHC has been a leader in providing comprehensive, patient-centered care and advocating for programs and funding that transform lives. PIHC serves over 11,000 individuals across 21 Georgia counties with a budget of over $200 million, providing nationally recognized gold standard care and results.
PIHC's remarkable growth trajectory—more than 20% year over year for the past decade—reflects both the organization's excellence and the urgent, expanding need to provide care. New medications enable people with HIV to become "undetectable" and live longer, healthier lives. So PIHC’s mission is far from completed: some 20,000 HIV-positive individuals who reside in Georgia are not yet in care. This animates the organization’s passion to bring more individuals into treatment with a current target of growing to 15,000.
PIHC operates with an extraordinary culture that prioritizes people above all else. Staff, patients, volunteers, and partners are seen, heard, and valued. This is an organization where the CEO and COO give their cell phone numbers to clients, where staff strive for team achievements more than individual credit, and where "if you value it, I value it" is more than a saying—it's a way of operating.
This is a time of promise and challenge for PIHC. Founder and CEO Larry Lehman will transition from CEO to an advisory role on November 30, 2026, after 24 years of visionary leadership. Current COO Joey Helton becomes CEO-elect this year, on December 1, 2025; and will step into the CEO role on December 1, 2026. Joey joined PIHC a decade ago and has played an instrumental role in the organization’s growth from $5 million to over $200 million.
Chief Operating Officer Position PIHC seeks a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) to start early in 2026. The COO will partner with CEO-elect Joey Helton to sustain and enhance the organization's exceptional culture, operational excellence, and patient-centered mission while navigating growth, potential mergers, and an uncertain political landscape. The organization has recently hired a new CFO and HR Director and is in year two of a three-year strategic plan. The new COO will help PIHC expand its reach while maintaining the gold-standard quality and outcomes that have made it a national model.
COO Mandate The new Chief Operating Officer will lead the operations of a complex, multi-site healthcare provider with a $200 million+ budget and 350 employees, four clinic locations and an administrative center. Its programs span clinical care, pharmacy, prevention, emotional wellness, research, and advocacy. In addition to overseeing programs, the COO will lead evidence-based quality management, IT, HR, and facilities.
The COO will play an external role, but will primarily focus internally, managing people, operations, systems, and infrastructure as Joey takes on the more external, visionary role of CEO. The COO will lead, mentor, and hold accountable a diverse leadership team while inspiring and sustaining PIHC's compassionate people-centered culture. Currently, the COO has 17 direct reports.
PIHC seeks an experienced COO who can balance growth with quality, efficiency with compassion, and accountability with empathy. The organization's "management by numbers" approach requires a COO who is data-driven and metrics-focused yet never loses sight of the human beings behind every metric—both staff and clients.
Key Responsibilities
Lead day-to-day operations and implementation
Plug into the strategic plan and move it forward
Oversee clinical and administrative operations across multiple locations
Manage systems, infrastructure, workflow, and technology platforms, overseeing operational execution and details
Drive productivity, efficiency, and key performance indicators aligned with the budget
Enhance the reporting structure and build trusted, effective relationships
Ensure facilities are clean, welcoming, and respectful of patients
Inspire and mentor talent—PIHC’s #1 asset
Directly manage department directors, providing supportive yet accountable leadership
Foster integration, collaboration, and clarity across departments
Coach staff through the emotional demands of working with vulnerable populations
Identify and develop talent for retention and succession planning
Hold people accountable with compassion, clear objectives, and honest feedback
Sustain and enhance PIHC's exceptional culture
Be a culture-builder who exudes and promotes teamwork, respect, and a "people first" work environment
Cultivate a culture where people feel heard, valued, and empowered
Lead with empathy, transparency, and frank communication
Model calm, grounded leadership even under stress
Balance accountability with compassion
Foster collaboration, participatory decision-making, and shared credit
Champion data, metrics, and accountability
Lead PIHC’s "management by numbers" commitment that delivers and demonstrates results to funders and the community
Drive quality improvement through data-driven decision-making
Maintain PIHC's 90%+ viral suppression rates and gold-standard outcomes
Build dashboards and expectations tied to deliverables and budget
Understand and continuously enhance the operational "funnel" from patient intake to outcomes
Represent and advocate for the mission
Cultivate and leverage networks within Georgia's HIV care and legislative communities
Advocate effectively for patients, programs, and funding
Deeply understand HIV care, the Ryan White Program, insurance navigation, and pharmacy operations
Help PIHC navigate the political environment and policy changes affecting HIV care
Work comfortably with diverse populations, including people experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges
Foster innovation, growth, and a sustainable future
Manage expansion while maintaining highest quality work and a radically positive culture
Address technology challenges and system integration needs
Think strategically about growth, and play an instrumental role in moving strategies for reaching more individuals who are currently or potentially affected by HIV
Bring innovative approaches to workflow, processes, and results
Year One Aspirations The first year will be critical for the new COO to establish trusting relationships, understand the organization deeply, and begin shaping the role. During year one, they will:
Build trust and relationships with department directors, staff, and community partners—understand needs, challenges, and hopes
Build credibility through listening, learning, and early wins
Get to know programs and people across all locations
Lay out a strategy for the role and align with the strategic plan
Establish open communication rhythms including regular meetings and touchpoints
Take operational items off the CEO-elect’s plate
Understand and lead the operational "funnel," from patient access through outcomes
Make the position your own, while honoring PIHC's culture and values
Assess and address needs around structure, systems, and processes
The Candidate Although the COO role requires healthcare operational leadership rather than clinical practice, PIHC seeks a leader who deeply understands HIV care, healthcare systems, and the unique challenges of serving vulnerable populations. The ideal candidate has proven experience managing complex, multi-site operations with budgets of $100 million+ and 100+ employees.
The Board and leadership team are committed to ensuring the COO reflects PIHC’s culture and the community PIHC serves. In addition to passion for PIHC's mission and values, the ideal candidate will bring:
Professional Experience
Healthcare operations leadership
Multi-site healthcare operations management
Budget management at $100M+ scale
Experience with 100+ employee organizations
Understanding of HIV care, Ryan White Program, insurance navigation, and pharmacy operations
Knowledge of healthcare quality metrics, patient-centered medical home models, and compliance requirements
Familiarity with healthcare technology systems (PIHC uses Cerner, Paylocity, and multiple other platforms)
Data-driven management
Strong analytics and metrics orientation
Experience building dashboards, KPIs, and accountability systems
Ability to use data to drive quality improvement
Track record of meeting deliverables and demonstrating outcomes
Understanding of productivity and efficiency measures
Organizational development and management
Proven ability to lead diverse, multi-site teams
Experience managing department directors and senior leaders
Track record of restructuring organizations for effectiveness
Change management and culture-building skills
Experience with mergers, acquisitions, or integrations
Talent development, succession planning, and retention strategies
Strategic thinking
Forward-thinking and forecasting skills
Ability to "connect the dots" across complex systems
Strategic planning and implementation experience
Innovation and problem-solving orientation
Experience balancing growth with quality
External Engagement Experience
Networks and relationships within HIV care community in Georgia
Connections to HIV organizations, partners, and peers nationally
Understanding of Georgia and Atlanta political landscape
Advocacy experience or comfort with advocacy role
Awareness of policy environment affecting HIV care
Technology, Systems, and Process Skills
Tech-savvy with experience implementing or upgrading healthcare IT systems
Understanding of workflow optimization
Experience with integration challenges across multiple platforms
Data systems and reporting tools knowledge
Personal Characteristics
Leadership presence
Inspiring, supportive, and empathetic leadership style
High emotional intelligence and strong listening skills
Calm by nature and calm under fire
Emotionally grounded—no yelling, no bullying, no freakouts
Confidence balanced with humility and low ego
Collaborative and inclusive approach
Outstanding communication skills
Strong communicator across all levels and audiences
Transparent, honest, and frank in communication style
Comfortable with difficult conversations and holding people accountable
Able to disagree respectfully
Skilled at giving honest, compassionate feedback
Values Alignment
Patient-centered and staff-centered orientation
Deep commitment to people as the #1 asset
Comfortable with and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Respectful of everyone regardless of background or circumstance
Comfortable working with populations experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health challenges, and HIV
Understanding of LGBTQIA communities and issues
Passionate about health equity and social justice
Cultural Fit
Team-oriented—focuses on "we" not "I"
Participatory management style
Ability to roll up sleeves and work alongside staff
Open-door approach
Values-driven decision-making
Belief that culture is critical to success
"If you value it, I value it" mindset
Relationship-Building Skills
Trust-builder internally and externally
Mentor and coach to others
Supportive supervisor who helps staff process stress
Ability to foster collaboration across departments
Networking skills and relationship development
Coalition-building orientation
Resilience and adaptability
Able to pivot and be flexible
Comfortable with ambiguity and change
Resilient in face of political and policy challenges
High positive energy
Growth mindset
Innovative and contemplative in approach
For potential consideration or to suggest a prospect, please email: PIHC@BoardWalkConsulting.com or call Kathy Bremer, Patti Kish, or Lysondra Somerville at 404-BoardWalk (404-262-7392).
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Positive Impact Health Centers (PIHC) is the largest provider of care for people affected by HIV in Georgia. For more than three decades, PIHC has been a leader in providing comprehensive, patient-centered care and advocating for programs and funding that transform lives. PIHC serves over 11,000 individuals across 21 Georgia counties with a budget of over $200 million, providing nationally recognized gold standard care and results.
PIHC's remarkable growth trajectory—more than 20% year over year for the past decade—reflects both the organization's excellence and the urgent, expanding need to provide care. New medications enable people with HIV to become "undetectable" and live longer, healthier lives. So PIHC’s mission is far from completed: some 20,000 HIV-positive individuals who reside in Georgia are not yet in care. This animates the organization’s passion to bring more individuals into treatment with a current target of growing to 15,000.
PIHC operates with an extraordinary culture that prioritizes people above all else. Staff, patients, volunteers, and partners are seen, heard, and valued. This is an organization where the CEO and COO give their cell phone numbers to clients, where staff strive for team achievements more than individual credit, and where "if you value it, I value it" is more than a saying—it's a way of operating.
This is a time of promise and challenge for PIHC. Founder and CEO Larry Lehman will transition from CEO to an advisory role on November 30, 2026, after 24 years of visionary leadership. Current COO Joey Helton becomes CEO-elect this year, on December 1, 2025; and will step into the CEO role on December 1, 2026. Joey joined PIHC a decade ago and has played an instrumental role in the organization’s growth from $5 million to over $200 million.
Chief Operating Officer Position PIHC seeks a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) to start early in 2026. The COO will partner with CEO-elect Joey Helton to sustain and enhance the organization's exceptional culture, operational excellence, and patient-centered mission while navigating growth, potential mergers, and an uncertain political landscape. The organization has recently hired a new CFO and HR Director and is in year two of a three-year strategic plan. The new COO will help PIHC expand its reach while maintaining the gold-standard quality and outcomes that have made it a national model.
COO Mandate The new Chief Operating Officer will lead the operations of a complex, multi-site healthcare provider with a $200 million+ budget and 350 employees, four clinic locations and an administrative center. Its programs span clinical care, pharmacy, prevention, emotional wellness, research, and advocacy. In addition to overseeing programs, the COO will lead evidence-based quality management, IT, HR, and facilities.
The COO will play an external role, but will primarily focus internally, managing people, operations, systems, and infrastructure as Joey takes on the more external, visionary role of CEO. The COO will lead, mentor, and hold accountable a diverse leadership team while inspiring and sustaining PIHC's compassionate people-centered culture. Currently, the COO has 17 direct reports.
PIHC seeks an experienced COO who can balance growth with quality, efficiency with compassion, and accountability with empathy. The organization's "management by numbers" approach requires a COO who is data-driven and metrics-focused yet never loses sight of the human beings behind every metric—both staff and clients.
Key Responsibilities
Lead day-to-day operations and implementation
Plug into the strategic plan and move it forward
Oversee clinical and administrative operations across multiple locations
Manage systems, infrastructure, workflow, and technology platforms, overseeing operational execution and details
Drive productivity, efficiency, and key performance indicators aligned with the budget
Enhance the reporting structure and build trusted, effective relationships
Ensure facilities are clean, welcoming, and respectful of patients
Inspire and mentor talent—PIHC’s #1 asset
Directly manage department directors, providing supportive yet accountable leadership
Foster integration, collaboration, and clarity across departments
Coach staff through the emotional demands of working with vulnerable populations
Identify and develop talent for retention and succession planning
Hold people accountable with compassion, clear objectives, and honest feedback
Sustain and enhance PIHC's exceptional culture
Be a culture-builder who exudes and promotes teamwork, respect, and a "people first" work environment
Cultivate a culture where people feel heard, valued, and empowered
Lead with empathy, transparency, and frank communication
Model calm, grounded leadership even under stress
Balance accountability with compassion
Foster collaboration, participatory decision-making, and shared credit
Champion data, metrics, and accountability
Lead PIHC’s "management by numbers" commitment that delivers and demonstrates results to funders and the community
Drive quality improvement through data-driven decision-making
Maintain PIHC's 90%+ viral suppression rates and gold-standard outcomes
Build dashboards and expectations tied to deliverables and budget
Understand and continuously enhance the operational "funnel" from patient intake to outcomes
Represent and advocate for the mission
Cultivate and leverage networks within Georgia's HIV care and legislative communities
Advocate effectively for patients, programs, and funding
Deeply understand HIV care, the Ryan White Program, insurance navigation, and pharmacy operations
Help PIHC navigate the political environment and policy changes affecting HIV care
Work comfortably with diverse populations, including people experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges
Foster innovation, growth, and a sustainable future
Manage expansion while maintaining highest quality work and a radically positive culture
Address technology challenges and system integration needs
Think strategically about growth, and play an instrumental role in moving strategies for reaching more individuals who are currently or potentially affected by HIV
Bring innovative approaches to workflow, processes, and results
Year One Aspirations The first year will be critical for the new COO to establish trusting relationships, understand the organization deeply, and begin shaping the role. During year one, they will:
Build trust and relationships with department directors, staff, and community partners—understand needs, challenges, and hopes
Build credibility through listening, learning, and early wins
Get to know programs and people across all locations
Lay out a strategy for the role and align with the strategic plan
Establish open communication rhythms including regular meetings and touchpoints
Take operational items off the CEO-elect’s plate
Understand and lead the operational "funnel," from patient access through outcomes
Make the position your own, while honoring PIHC's culture and values
Assess and address needs around structure, systems, and processes
The Candidate Although the COO role requires healthcare operational leadership rather than clinical practice, PIHC seeks a leader who deeply understands HIV care, healthcare systems, and the unique challenges of serving vulnerable populations. The ideal candidate has proven experience managing complex, multi-site operations with budgets of $100 million+ and 100+ employees.
The Board and leadership team are committed to ensuring the COO reflects PIHC’s culture and the community PIHC serves. In addition to passion for PIHC's mission and values, the ideal candidate will bring:
Professional Experience
Healthcare operations leadership
Multi-site healthcare operations management
Budget management at $100M+ scale
Experience with 100+ employee organizations
Understanding of HIV care, Ryan White Program, insurance navigation, and pharmacy operations
Knowledge of healthcare quality metrics, patient-centered medical home models, and compliance requirements
Familiarity with healthcare technology systems (PIHC uses Cerner, Paylocity, and multiple other platforms)
Data-driven management
Strong analytics and metrics orientation
Experience building dashboards, KPIs, and accountability systems
Ability to use data to drive quality improvement
Track record of meeting deliverables and demonstrating outcomes
Understanding of productivity and efficiency measures
Organizational development and management
Proven ability to lead diverse, multi-site teams
Experience managing department directors and senior leaders
Track record of restructuring organizations for effectiveness
Change management and culture-building skills
Experience with mergers, acquisitions, or integrations
Talent development, succession planning, and retention strategies
Strategic thinking
Forward-thinking and forecasting skills
Ability to "connect the dots" across complex systems
Strategic planning and implementation experience
Innovation and problem-solving orientation
Experience balancing growth with quality
External Engagement Experience
Networks and relationships within HIV care community in Georgia
Connections to HIV organizations, partners, and peers nationally
Understanding of Georgia and Atlanta political landscape
Advocacy experience or comfort with advocacy role
Awareness of policy environment affecting HIV care
Technology, Systems, and Process Skills
Tech-savvy with experience implementing or upgrading healthcare IT systems
Understanding of workflow optimization
Experience with integration challenges across multiple platforms
Data systems and reporting tools knowledge
Personal Characteristics
Leadership presence
Inspiring, supportive, and empathetic leadership style
High emotional intelligence and strong listening skills
Calm by nature and calm under fire
Emotionally grounded—no yelling, no bullying, no freakouts
Confidence balanced with humility and low ego
Collaborative and inclusive approach
Outstanding communication skills
Strong communicator across all levels and audiences
Transparent, honest, and frank in communication style
Comfortable with difficult conversations and holding people accountable
Able to disagree respectfully
Skilled at giving honest, compassionate feedback
Values Alignment
Patient-centered and staff-centered orientation
Deep commitment to people as the #1 asset
Comfortable with and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Respectful of everyone regardless of background or circumstance
Comfortable working with populations experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health challenges, and HIV
Understanding of LGBTQIA communities and issues
Passionate about health equity and social justice
Cultural Fit
Team-oriented—focuses on "we" not "I"
Participatory management style
Ability to roll up sleeves and work alongside staff
Open-door approach
Values-driven decision-making
Belief that culture is critical to success
"If you value it, I value it" mindset
Relationship-Building Skills
Trust-builder internally and externally
Mentor and coach to others
Supportive supervisor who helps staff process stress
Ability to foster collaboration across departments
Networking skills and relationship development
Coalition-building orientation
Resilience and adaptability
Able to pivot and be flexible
Comfortable with ambiguity and change
Resilient in face of political and policy challenges
High positive energy
Growth mindset
Innovative and contemplative in approach
For potential consideration or to suggest a prospect, please email: PIHC@BoardWalkConsulting.com or call Kathy Bremer, Patti Kish, or Lysondra Somerville at 404-BoardWalk (404-262-7392).
#J-18808-Ljbffr