Director of Operations

Director of Operations

Alder Family Dental | Walla Walla, WA | Full-time, on-site

Pay: $70,000 to $105,000 per year, plus a quarterly performance bonus

About us

Alder Family Dental is a busy, multi-doctor family practice in Walla Walla. We have four dentists, a full hygiene department, and a growing front and back office team. We are remodeling to add operatories, investing in our team's training, and putting real systems in place so we can grow without the chaos. We need an on-site leader to run the business side of the practice so our doctors can focus on patients.

The role

The Director of Operations owns the day-to-day running of the practice and reports directly to the owner, Dr. Patty Martin. You will lead the front office, insurance, and treatment coordination teams, work closely with clinical leads, and be accountable for the numbers that tell us whether the practice is healthy. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will be in the office, on the floor, every day.

What you'll do

Lead the team

• Hire, onboard, train, and coach front office and administrative team members
• Make sure every person knows their role, their targets, and who they report to
• Run team huddles and monthly team meetings, and hold people accountable in a fair, consistent way
• Handle scheduling, timekeeping, payroll prep, performance reviews, and HR documentation

Run the numbers

• Own a weekly KPI scorecard: production, collections, schedule fill, new patients, hygiene reappointment, case acceptance, and A/R
• Manage accounts receivable and insurance follow-up, and keep collections at or above target
• Oversee fee schedules, insurance estimates, and patient financial arrangements so patients get accurate numbers the first time
• Build and manage the operating budget with the owner, including staffing costs, supplies, and vendors

Build the systems

• Write and maintain clear processes for scheduling, check-in and check-out, insurance verification, billing, and treatment plan follow-up
• Work with our treatment coordinator to track and improve case acceptance
• Support the hygiene team's training and standards so the whole office speaks the same language with patients
• Get the most out of our technology, including Dentrix, Overjet, and our insurance and AI tools

Grow the practice

• Keep the schedule full and productive as we add doctors, hygienists, and operatories
• Track new patient flow and work with marketing partners on what is and isn't working
• Bring the owner a clear weekly picture of where the practice stands and what needs attention

What we're looking for

• 3 or more years leading a team in a dental office, dental group, or other healthcare practice (multi-provider experience strongly preferred)
• Working knowledge of dental insurance, PPO fee schedules, billing, and A/R
• Comfortable with practice management software (Dentrix a plus) and spreadsheets
• Someone who uses numbers to make decisions and can explain them simply to the team
• A steady, clear communicator who can have hard conversations and still keep the team's trust
• Organized, follows through, and doesn't need to be chased
• Bachelor's degree in business or healthcare administration preferred; equal experience considered

Pay and benefits

• Base salary: $70,000 to $105,000 per year, based on experience
• Quarterly performance bonus tied to collections and practice KPIs
• Benefits: health insurance, dental benefits, retirement plan, paid time off, paid holidays, continuing education

How to apply

Apply with your resume and a short note telling us about a team or process you turned around and what changed in the numbers. Interviews begin November 2, with a target start in January 2027.

Alder Family Dental is an equal opportunity employer.

Pay: $70,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Referral program

Work Location: In person