Chief Operations Officer at Lily Hospitals Limited

About the Role

• Lily Hospitals Limited, a leading private healthcare institution in West Africa, is hiring a forward-thinking and results-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to serve as the strategic engine room of our hospital operations.
• This is not a routine operations role; it is a pivotal leadership appointment designed for a seasoned operations executive with cross-functional agility and an unflinching commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery.
• The ideal candidate will bring a firm grip on core administrative functions, a working command of IT systems, and the dexterity to manage people, processes, and performance with clear-eyed precision.
• From asset and fleet management to warehouse operations, this is a multi-dimensional role that requires someone both grounded in detail and expansive in vision.
• This is a global leadership role that requires a combination of strategic thinking, technological proficiency, and a strong inclination toward innovation and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence:

• Lead and coordinate all operational arms of the hospital, ensuring seamless delivery across clinical and non-clinical departments.
• Drive synergy among teams and foster a responsive, accountable culture of execution.
• Monitor and improve workflows to reduce bottlenecks and improve patient and staff experience.

Project Management:

• Lead the planning, execution, and closure of key operational and capital projects, ensuring they meet quality, time, and budget expectations.
• Maintain structured reporting and oversight frameworks for ongoing initiatives.

Asset & Fleet Management:

• Oversee the acquisition, utilization, and maintenance of hospital assets, facilities, and fleet resources.
• Implement predictive maintenance systems and technology-driven fleet scheduling for optimal efficiency.

Warehouse & Inventory Operations:

• Manage end-to-end supply chain and inventory systems including procurement, warehousing, and distribution of medical and non-medical supplies.
• Ensure real-time inventory visibility, minimize wastage, and improve accountability through automated tracking tools.

Biomedical Oversight:

• Supervise biomedical equipment lifecycle from procurement to preventive maintenance and calibration.
• Collaborate with clinical teams to ensure equipment reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Cost Optimization & Lean Operations:

• Champion cost-saving initiatives across departments while maintaining quality of care.
• Apply lean management principles (e.g., Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma) to eliminate inefficiencies and promote continuous improvement.

IT Systems & Digital Transformation:

• Partner with the IT team to advance digital health initiatives, including ERP and hospital management systems.
• Promote a data-informed culture through the use of dashboards, analytics, and automation

Standards & Compliance:

• Ensure operational compliance with local and international standards including ISO, COHSASA, SON, and other regulatory frameworks.
• Embed quality improvement cycles into the hospital’s operational rhythm.

Ideal Candidate Profile
Educational Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Management, Engineering, or related fields.
• A Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, MHA, MPH) is strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications in operations, quality management, IT systems, or Six Sigma will be an advantage.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership in hospital or health system operations, with at least 5 years in a C-suite or senior executive capacity.
• Demonstrable experience in asset and fleet management within structured, regulated organizations.
• Strong background in operationalizing technology in healthcare settings — from digital inventory systems to performance analytics.
• Familiarity with quality assurance systems and standards such as ISO, COHSASA, or SON is a clear advantage.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong leadership and organizational skills with a strategic mindset.
• Hands-on knowledge of hospital operations, fleet and inventory systems, and biomedical equipment standards.
• Proficient in enterprise IT systems and data-driven decision-making.
• Exposure to lean tools such as Kaizen, 5S, or Six Sigma will be a strong advantage.

Leadership Attributes:

• Bold, resilient, and decisive — with the courage to lead change and the discipline to build systems that last.
• Highly analytical with excellent organizational intelligence and the ability to manage complexity.
• Innovative and pragmatic - able to combine vision with practical steps for execution.

What We Offer

• Accommodation Cover: Comfortable housing to support relocation or proximity to the hospital.
• Official Vehicle: For professional duties.
• Competitive Remuneration: Salary and executive benefits reflective of market benchmark for the role.
• Career Growth Opportunity: A platform to build legacy impact and institutional transformation.
• Training Opportunity: Access to professional development and global leadership programs.