Chief Clinical Officer

The Role

The Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) is the founding clinical leader of a new premium speech-language pathology (SLP) platform — responsible for building, setting the standard for, and continuously elevating clinical excellence across every location we open. You will not inherit a playbook. You will write it.

This is not a traditional SLP practice — and we are not looking for someone who wants to run one. We are building an environment where the best clinicians in the country can finally do their best work: smaller caseloads, more impactful sessions and a leadership team that treats clinical excellence as the business strategy — not a constraint on it.

The culture here moves like a startup. Ideas are rewarded regardless of where they come from. Problems get solved, not escalated. The people who thrive here are energized by building something from scratch and take personal ownership of outcomes.

The CCO we are looking for brings a deep, proven track record in speech-language pathology — and a genuine passion for the intersection of SLP and Applied Behavior Analysis. The majority of our clients will be children on the autism spectrum, and one of our defining clinical advantages will be how seamlessly our SLP team collaborates with the ABA specialists already in each child's life. We are not looking for an ABA expert. We are looking for someone who believes deeply in that collaboration and brings real energy to it.

The CCO will be responsible for the overall clinical vision, quality, and integrity of services across all clinic locations.

The primary mandate is a dual mission: ensuring elite clinical integrity and evidence-based outcomes while aggressively scaling operations across a network of geographically clustered, high-performance boutique centers.

This role provides strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of speech-language pathology services, with a particular emphasis on evidence-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, while also ensuring high-quality care for a broad range of communication disorders.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI's)

Successful performance in this role will be measured by:

• Clinical Differentiation: You will build proprietary, integrated treatment programs that produce outcomes families talk about and pediatricians refer to — without exception, across every center we open.
• Network Expansion: You will serve as the clinical backbone for an aggressive growth trajectory — 5–6 boutique centers in the first phase, scaling to 10 locations within year one and 24 by the end of year two.
• Talent Pipeline: Successful recruitment, "deprogramming," and retention of specialized SLPs in a scarce labor market. The target is 50+ clinicians and aides within 24 months.
• Reputational Leadership: Establishing the organization as a knowledge leader through university partnerships and published clinical research.
• Payer Relations: Optimizing clinical documentation and outcomes to serve as an expert interface with insurance providers and ASHA.

Clinical Leadership, Innovation, and Strategy

• Design and execute a comprehensive clinical vision aligned with the organization’s mission and growth strategy that merges language expertise with behavioral intervention skills, moving beyond traditional "siloed" therapy.
• Establish and maintain clinical standards, protocols, and evidence-based practices across all locations.
• Ensure services reflect best practices in autism intervention as well as broader speech and language disorders.
• Create science-based curricula, assessment tools, and training videos that utilize augmentative communication (AAC) and novel technologies.
• Establish protocols and supervision structures to ensure "clinical fidelity" (consistency of quality) across all current and future sites.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Oversee clinical quality assurance systems to ensure consistency and excellence across sites.
• Monitor outcomes and implement data-driven improvements.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, licensure standards, and payer requirements.
• Lead accreditation efforts and maintain readiness for audits and reviews.

Strategic Growth & Multi-Site Operations

• Site Launches: Partner with operations leadership to launch 5–6 smaller, accessible centers designed to meet the high-frequency visit needs of families.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct regular site audits and mentor local Clinical Directors/Lead SLPs to maintain excellence at scale.
• Payer Strategy: Act as the lead clinical voice in negotiations and audits with insurance companies and regulatory bodies (ASHA).

Leadership & Academic Engagement

• Team Building: Recruit and mentor a high-performing clinical team; foster a culture of accountability, autonomy, and "impact over micromanagement".
• Academic Ties: Build university partnerships and adjunct opportunities to create a sustainable talent pipeline of graduating SLPs.
• Thought Leadership: Lead efforts for clinical accreditation and represent the organization at national professional forums and in research publications.

Program Development & Growth

• Design and expand specialized programs for individuals with autism, including early intervention, AAC, and social communication.
• Ensure services are inclusive of children with a wide range of speech and language needs.
• Collaborate on strategic growth plans, including new locations and service offerings.
• Represent the organization in clinical partnerships, community outreach, and professional forums.

Collaboration & Partnership

• Partner with executive leadership on organizational strategy and growth.
• Collaborate with operations, finance, and development teams to align clinical services with business objectives.
• Serve as a key spokesperson on clinical matters for families, partners, and stakeholders.

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Candidate Profile & Requirements:

Education & Certification

• Preferred: Doctoral degree (PhD) in Speech-Language Pathology or a related field (strongly preferred for research and credibility-building).
• Required: ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) and current state licensure.
• Highly Valued: Dual certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Experience

• 10+ years of clinical experience including significant leadership roles.
• Proven track record in scaling clinical services within a fast growth organization.
• An affinity with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental challenges, and the overlap between ABA therapy and SLP as it related to patients with autism.
• Experience navigating the managed care/insurance landscape and ASHA compliance.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep knowledge of evidence-based practices in speech-language pathology and autism intervention.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience developing clinical systems, protocols, and outcome measurement frameworks.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to operationalize the vision across multiple locations.
• Ability to partner effectively with Finance, HR, and Operations to align clinical goals with business objectives.

Preferred Attributes

• An affinity with pediatric, autism-focused, or neurodevelopmental settings.
• Familiarity with AAC and interdisciplinary care models.
• Experience working in a growth-oriented or startup environment.
• Passion for mission-driven, family-centered care.

Compensation and Benefit

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and professional development assistance.