Chief Executive Officer

Hillcrest Family Services; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Hillcrest Family Services in Iowa seeks a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead and refine strategic and operational efforts across all programs and services. The role requires hands-on leadership, strong financial stewardship, and a commitment to regulatory excellence while driving growth and impact in behavioral health and human services.

The successful candidate will balance strategic vision with effective execution, report to the Board, and cultivate talent across multi-site operations to

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressive executive leadership experience.
• Experience in behavioral health, healthcare services, nonprofit healthcare, or similarly regulated environments.
• Strong financial management with oversight of budgets and performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and operational oversight for all programs, service lines, and support functions.
• Drive organizational performance through accountability, goal setting, and measurable outcomes.
• Partner with senior leaders to align strategy, operations, and resources around priorities.
• Lead financial stewardship including budgeting, payer strategy, and long-term planning.
• Strengthen governance, financial controls, and compliance infrastructure.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing leaders across the organization.
• Build relationships with community partners and key stakeholders, including the Board.

Skills

Executive leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

For more than 125 years, Hillcrest Family Services has been a trusted provider of behavioral health and human services across Eastern Iowa. Today, the organization delivers more than 20 services spanning outpatient mental health, residential treatment, community-based adult services, crisis stabilization, and addictions recovery. Hillcrest partners with hospitals, schools, public safety agencies, and community organizations to provide accessible, mission-driven care throughout the region.

The Opportunity:

This is a unique opportunity to lead a well-established organization that has recently completed significant operational and strategic changes. The next CEO will build upon that foundation by driving performance, strengthening accountability, developing talent, and ensuring Hillcrest remains a leading provider of behavioral health and human services in Iowa. The successful candidate will be an engaged, hands-on executive who can balance strategic leadership with operational execution. Working closely with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team, the CEO will guide the organization’s long‑term vision while ensuring financial sustainability, clinical quality, regulatory compliance, and organizational effectiveness.

What You’ll Lead:

• Provide overall leadership and operational oversight for all programs, service lines, and support functions.
• Drive organizational performance through accountability, goal setting, and measurable outcomes.
• Partner with senior leaders to align strategy, operations, and resources around organizational priorities.
• Lead financial stewardship efforts, including budgeting, revenue cycle oversight, payer strategy, and long‑term planning.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, accreditation, and payer requirements.
• Strengthen relationships with community partners, referral sources, government agencies, and key stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, providing strategic guidance and regular organizational updates.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high‑performing leaders across the organization.
• Continue strengthening governance practices, financial controls, and compliance infrastructure.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Exceptional operational leadership and execution skills.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• Experience leading organizational change and transformation.
• A track record of accountability and sound decision‑making.
• The ability to build trust with boards, employees, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Success developing and mentoring leadership teams.
• A passion for advancing behavioral health and human services within the communities served.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in healthcare administration, business, public administration, behavioral health, or a related field preferred.
• Seven or more years of progressive executive leadership experience.
• Experience within behavioral health, healthcare services, nonprofit healthcare, human services, or similarly regulated environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading multi‑site operations, organizational turnarounds, operational restructuring initiatives, or growth‑oriented organizations.
• Strong financial management experience, including oversight of budgets, payer relationships, and performance metrics.
• Knowledge of CCBHC requirements, Medicaid prospective payment systems, and federal grant management is a plus.
• Excellent communication, relationship‑building, and leadership development skills.