Best of DSO Secrets: Hiring a Director of Operations

Editor’s note: The DSO Secrets: Dentist Entrepreneurs Growing Dental Organizations Facebook page is a place to find resources, networking opportunities, information about upcoming industry events, and a forum to ask fellow dentist entrepreneurs questions you may have about running your business. The following was a recent discussion among DSO Secrets Facebook page members.


Brett Wells asked: Need advice. I need to hire a Director of Operations for our 5-location group in Raleigh, N.C. I’ve never had to officially recruit/hire someone for this type of role before, as they are essentially running the operational side of the business, and will be overseeing a 50+ employee company. Where do I start? Recruiter, LinkedIN, Local employment boards etc.? I would love some advice from someone who has had success with this. 

A few of the DSO Secrets Facebook page members responses:

Kristin Burris: “Think outside the box! Look outside dental – I’m in this position over a 3 location group and had previously worked in a large healthcare system with experience in strategic planning, project management, creating protocols/systems, service and process improvement, etc. I had no idea at the time how well these experiences would align with the demands of ops director in a dental group. I would look into nearby large healthcare systems or other outside industries.”

Vincent Crump: “Fidler and Associates Jon Fidler specializes in this type of role placement.”

Kathryn Alderman: “Brett Wells, congrats on your growth. You have great ideas here. I would look outside the industry for someone who understands business development. Hiring this person should allow you to free up your time and investing into mentoring this person on dental specific details would be well worth your time.”

Danny Montoya: “I always refer to Wendy Aldhamen. She’s incredible at finding the right fit. I prefer to work with that “right fit” to onboard them and develop your C Suite Operational duties. Growth like yours needs direction.”