Chief of Family and Internal Medicine (San Francisco, CA)
Description
Opportunity Information
The Chief of Family and Internal Medicine provides clinical and operational leadership for the department, ensuring excellence in patient care, operational efficiency, and financial performance. Reporting to the Chair of Primary Care, the Chief partners with the administrative dyad to ensure safe, efficient, and patient-centered care while aligning performance with departmental and organizational goals.
This role partners with administrative operational leadership to manage the practice, drive performance, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership
• Lead the department in alignment with organizational goals and strategic priorities.
• Partner with the Administrative Director to oversee staffing, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Develop and implement initiatives to improve patient access, provider engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure appropriate clinician staffing to meet current and future demand.
• Participate regular onsite rounding to ensure visibility, support frontline teams, and identify operational opportunities
Clinical Excellence
• Ensure adherence to evidence-based practices and quality standards.
• Champion patient safety and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for providers.
Recruiting, Onboarding & Workforce Development
• Lead physician and provider recruitment strategy for Family and Internal Medicine in partnership with Physician Recruitment, HR, and operational leadership.
• Participate in candidate evaluation, interviewing, selection, and offer alignment to ensure high-quality clinical and cultural fit.
• Oversee onboarding and integration of new providers, ensuring a consistent, supportive, and high-performing transition into practice.
• Collaborate with Medical Directors to establish standardized onboarding, mentoring, and early-career support processes.
• Support succession planning and leadership development within the department.
• Deliver clear, timely performance feedback through the annual evaluation process that supports accountability, team development, clinical excellence, continuous improvement and high-quality patient care
• Promote provider retention through engagement, performance feedback, and career development pathways.
Performance Management
• Monitor and achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality, patient satisfaction, and financial sustainability.
• Drive productivity and optimize workflows to meet RVU and access targets.
• Partner with administrative and revenue cycle leaders to improve documentation, coding, and cost management.
• Address performance gaps through data-driven improvement plans and coaching.
Growth & Innovation
• Support integration of technology and population health initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
Collaboration & Communication
• Maintain strong relationships with specialty departments and organizational leadership.
• Communicate goals, expectations, and performance updates clearly and consistently.
Qualifications
• MD or DO with board certification in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine.
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience and 3 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in managing clinical operations and driving performance metrics.
• Experience with physician recruitment, onboarding, and team development strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Leadership Competencies
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align departmental goals with organizational vision.
• Operational Acumen: Skilled in managing budgets, workflows, and resources.
• Talent Leadership: Effectively recruits, develops, and retains high-performing clinical teams.
• Collaborative Leadership: Effective in dyad partnerships and interdisciplinary teams.
• Change Management: Ability to lead through transitions and implement improvements.
• Results Orientation: Focused on measurable outcomes and accountability.
Organization Details
Sutter West Bay Medical Group (SWBMG) is a fast-growing, premier, physician led, multispecialty medical group with nearly 500 physicians and advanced practice clinicians serving patients in San Francisco, Northern California and beyond. SWBMG delivers integrated, patient centered care across primary through quaternary care, grounded in clinical excellence, collaboration, and innovation, and is a key partner within Sutter Health's regional care delivery network.
Community Information
San Francisco offers a unique combination of professional opportunity, intellectual energy, and quality of life for physician leaders drawn to innovation and impact.
As a global hub for healthcare innovation, life sciences, and research, the city attracts forward-thinking clinicians and collaborators shaping the future of medicine. Its strong academic environment and commitment to equity and access create a compelling setting for advancing cancer care.
Outside of work, San Francisco offers an exceptional lifestyle, with world-class dining, arts, and culture alongside easy access to Northern California's natural beauty, from coastal trails to wine country. The region's diverse communities support both personal fulfillment and professional growth.
Equal Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of Sutter Health and its partners to provide equal employment for all qualified individuals; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of basis of race, color, creed, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, registered domestic partner status, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin (including possession of a driver's license issued to individuals who did not present proof of authorized presence in the U.S.), age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military or protected veteran status, political affiliation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition, genetic information or any other characteristic made unlawful by local, state or federal law, ordinance or regulation. We promote the full realization of equal employment opportunities through a positive continuing program within each medical group, company, hospital, department, and service area. Equal employment opportunities apply to every aspect of Sutter's employment policies and practices.