Chief Executive Officer

Washington Health Benefit Exchange; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Health Benefit Exchange seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to drive strategic direction, strengthen partnerships and lead a technology-forward, policy-intensive organization.

The CEO will guide the executive team, oversee major functions including finance, operations, law, strategy and equity, and engage with policymakers and stakeholders to advance access to health coverage in Washington state.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in healthcare, health policy or regulated environments.
• Experience supporting/influencing governing boards and executives.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership required.

Responsibilities

• Set the Exchange's strategic priorities in collaboration with the Board and ELT.
• Lead governance and ensure effective Board meetings and decision-making.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with federal/state officials, industry leaders and stakeholders.
• Guide legislative and policy engagement alignment with organizational strategy.
• Represent the Exchange publicly to policymakers, partners and media.
• Develop and lead the executive team and foster collaboration.
• Ensure financial sustainability, operations, technology, risk management and delivery of priorities.
• Drive culture, transparency and change to adapt to evolving priorities.

Skills

Executive leadership

Healthcare policy

Governance & board liaison

Strategic planning

Public speaking

Relationship building

Data-informed decision making

Change management

Executive team development

Education

Advanced degree in business/health administration/public policy/law

Job description

The CEO provides strategic leadership for the Exchange, guiding its direction, strengthening key partnerships, and ensuring organizational effectiveness in a dynamic health care, insurance and public policy environment. Working closely with the Board, Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and staff, the CEO advances the Exchange's mission, builds public and stakeholder trust and positions the organization to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The CEO leads an organization of more than 200 employees, supported by a multidisciplinary executive team overseeing finance, operations, legal affairs and strategy, information technology, equity and community partnerships and communications.

The role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including oversight of the individual and small-employer markets; qualified health plan requirements and certification; enrollment and outreach; eligibility and appeals; reporting to state and federal authorities; annual budgeting; and the development of innovative approaches that make health insurance more efficient, effective and affordable.

Beyond operational leadership, the CEO serves as a key representative and advocate for the Exchange, engaging directly with policymakers, legislators, government officials, industry leaders, and community partners. The successful candidate will bring the political and policy acumen needed to navigate state and federal priorities, influence health care policy and sustain productive relationships across the Exchange's authorizing and stakeholder environments.

This is an opportunity to lead a technology-forward, policy-intensive organization through its next stage of organizational maturity, balancing internal organizational leadership with external engagement, adapting to changing priorities and strengthening the Exchange's impact on access to health coverage across Washington.

Essential Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction: Establish the Exchange's strategic priorities in consultation with the Board and ELT, responding to evolving health insurance markets, health care delivery trends, emerging opportunities and state and national legislative and political dynamics.
• Support effective Board governance: Partner closely with the Board Chair and members, maintain clear and consistent communication and support productive Board meetings and informed decision-making.
• Build strategic partnerships: Develop and sustain relationships with federal and state officials, health care industry leaders, community stakeholders, key vendors and partners supporting federal grant funding and health reform.
• Lead legislative and policy engagement: Guide the Exchange's legislative and policy agenda, align advocacy priorities with organizational strategy and engage policymakers on issues affecting the Exchange and the people it serves.
• Represent and advocate for the Exchange: Serve as a visible, credible spokesperson with policymakers, partners, the public and media, communicating the Exchange's mission, impact, priorities and role in Washington's healthcare system.
• Lead and develop the executive team: Establish clear priorities, expectations and accountability while fostering collaboration, leadership development and shared ownership of organization-wide outcomes.
• Strengthen organizational performance: Ensure financial sustainability, operational effectiveness, technology and systems performance, risk management and delivery of strategic and business priorities.
• Lead organizational culture and change: Build trust and transparency, strengthen leadership capability, support a healthy and collaborative workplace and guide the organization through evolving priorities, responsibilities and ways of working.
• Advance innovation and continuous improvement: Encourage practical, technology-enabled solutions and data-informed decision-making that improve service delivery, strengthen the customer experience and advance the Exchange's objectives.

The successful candidate will bring the leadership capabilities, judgment and interpersonal skills needed to lead a complex organization in a highly visible and evolving environment. Desired abilities and knowledge include:

Desired abilities and knowledge include:

• Demonstrated success building, developing and leading high-performing executive teams and organizations through significant change and uncertainty.
• Understanding of health insurance markets and the relationships among consumers, carriers, providers, regulators, public programs and healthcare delivery systems.
• Political and policy acumen, including the ability to work effectively with governing boards, elected officials, government agencies and policymakers.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships, partnerships and coalitions across diverse constituencies and advance shared priorities through collaboration and influence.
• Understanding of technology-enabled service delivery and the strategic role of digital platforms, cybersecurity, data and technology in providing reliable and accessible services.
• An analytical, data-informed approach to decision-making, with the ability to translate strategy into clear priorities and measurable results.
• Exceptional communication and public-speaking skills, including the ability to explain complex issues and facilitate challenging conversations with diverse audiences.
• A collaborative, approachable and grounded leadership style characterized by integrity, humility, resilience, transparency, sound judgment and emotional intelligence.
• A commitment to public service, equity, inclusion and diversity, reflected in organizational leadership, decision-making, and engagement with the communities the Exchange serves.
• An innovative and adaptable approach to problem-solving, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage competing priorities and guide the organization through ambiguity.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience, including significant experience in one or more of the following: healthcare, health insurance, health policy, government or another highly regulated environment.
• Significant understanding and working knowledge of state and national healthcare reform laws, as well as healthcare delivery system trends and issues.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with a governing board or comparable governing body, including supporting informed decision-making, navigating governance roles and maintaining appropriate relationships between executive leadership and governance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced education in business, health administration, public administration, public policy, law or a related discipline. Equivalent executive experience will be considered.