Chief Medical Officer (CMO) - South Carolina | Colonial Healthcare, a part of Optum

Position Highlights

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) serves as the senior clinical leader for Optum South Carolina, and is responsible for representing the organization externally, stabilizing provider culture, advancing clinical quality initiatives, and aligning clinical strategy with business direction.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead Optum South Carolina clinical strategy and represent the organization with employers, health systems, community partners, and regional stakeholders.
• Strengthen Optum South Carolina market presence through relationship-building, physician networking, and strategic outreach initiatives.
• Serve as Optum South Carolina senior clinical ambassador, enhancing recruitment credibility and promoting Optum's reputation across South Carolina.
• Guide long-term clinical priorities, growth initiatives, referral development, and market strategy in partnership with organizational leadership.
• Work closely with the COO and operational leadership to foster a strong partnership that ensures seamless operations, aligned execution, and sustained performance across clinics.
• Maintain visible leadership amongst providers to reinforce culture, trust, and clinical alignment during organizational transition.
• Set goals to reduce costs related to facilities, low-value care, specialty referrals, and other measures; engage providers in action planning to meet targets.
• Address patient care issues identified by clinical teams and offer strategic input on specialty and primary care adequacy.
• Act as a clinical liaison with the Marketing team.
• Ensure adherence to all applicable clinical, operational, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and mentor high-potential lead physicians.
• Lead, actively participate in and attend meetings as well as committee participation.
• Tasks and duties pertinent to practicing medicine within standards of care.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive team-focused company culture.
• Accountable for population health outcomes, including quality scores, risk adjustment performance, utilization management, and total cost of care.
• Lead provider engagement strategies that improve physician satisfaction, retention, and organizational trust.
• Utilize clinical analytics and performance dashboards to drive evidence-based decision making.
• Lead initiatives addressing health disparities and social determinants of health across South Carolina communities.
• Develop physician leadership pipelines and succession planning strategies.

Required Qualifications

• A valid, unrestricted medical license in the state in which they practice and within the specialty of practice (if applicable) - or ability to obtain prior to start
• Medical Doctor (MD or DO)
• Board Certification
• Must be in good standing and remain in good standing with credentialing requirements
• Must maintain any required clinical privileges at the hospitals used to treat patients
• Demonstrated success in value-based care (quality, risk adjustment/coding accuracy, utilization management, and patient experience)
• 5+ years of recent experience in clinical practice
• PREFERRED: 5+ years of experience in a leadership role in a medical facility or related environment
• Experience in both managed care (value-based care) and fee-for-service based models
• Proficient computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, email systems, and web-based programs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of health care professionals and staff, both in and outside of the local care delivery organization.
• Ability to travel to all clinics throughout the state of South Carolina

Compensation

Compensation for this specialty generally ranges from $279,500 - $440,500. Total cash compensation includes base pay and bonus and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

Benefits

We’re honored to be recognized for our exceptional work culture