Chief Executive Officer

Taft Brown Associates; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Taft Brown Associates, in partnership with a leading behavioral health organization, seeks a Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to provide strategic leadership and oversee hospital operations, finances, regulatory compliance, and business development.

The CEO will collaborate with medical staff, leadership, and corporate administration to deliver high-quality behavioral health services, drive growth, and ensure patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in healthcare administration.
• Experience with budgeting, financial reporting, and cost controls.
• Demonstrated regulatory compliance and quality improvement oversight.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and oversee day-to-day hospital operations and staffing.
• Lead and develop hospital leadership, set expectations and performance standards.
• Ensure credentialing, staff training, and patient safety/quality oversight.
• Develop policies and procedures in compliance with laws and standards.
• Drive financial performance, reporting, and growth initiatives.
• Engage with physicians, community partners, and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Healthcare administration

Regulatory compliance

Financial acumen

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in healthcare administration or related

Master's in healthcare administration or related

Job description

Taft Brown Associates is partnering with a leading behavioral health organization in its search for a Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The CEO will provide strategic leadership and oversee all aspects of hospital operations, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and business development. This individual will work closely with the medical staff, hospital leadership team, and corporate administration to ensure the delivery of high-quality behavioral health services while driving operational excellence, financial sustainability, and continued growth.

The ideal candidate will bring strong healthcare leadership experience, a commitment to quality patient care, and a passion for advancing mental health and substance use treatment services.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Hospital Operations

• Provide strategic direction and oversee the day-to-day operations of the hospital, including administrative functions, patient care services, staffing, facility security, and operational performance.
• Lead, develop, and supervise the hospital’s leadership team, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and the recruitment, retention, supervision, and evaluation of qualified personnel.
• Establish effective leadership coverage and an administrator-on-call process to ensure continuity of operations.
• Foster a professional, collaborative, and patient-centered environment that supports high-quality care and positive patient experiences.
• Maintain a safe, attractive, and well-functioning physical environment for patients, visitors, and employees.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, licensing requirements, regulatory standards, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and ongoing review of administrative, personnel, and clinical policies and procedures.
• Ensure clinical personnel are appropriately credentialed and qualified for their respective scopes of practice.
• Maintain accurate and current personnel records, including required background checks, credentials, and training documentation.
• Ensure appropriate clinical supervision, staff training, and oversight of contracted personnel and others involved in patient care.
• Promote adherence to confidentiality requirements, HIPAA, ethical standards, and the organization’s compliance plan and code of conduct.

Quality Assurance & Patient Care

• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective quality management program focused on continuous improvement, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor the quality and effectiveness of clinical services, incorporating evidence-based practices, cultural competency, and promising treatment approaches.
• Oversee the review and resolution of critical incidents, patient complaints, grievances, and appeals.
• Collaborate with the medical staff and clinical leadership to maintain high standards of treatment, patient safety, and quality of care.
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place to monitor performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Support ongoing clinical supervision and professional development to strengthen treatment outcomes and service delivery.

Financial Management & Business Development

• Oversee hospital financial performance and operations to meet or exceed established budgetary goals.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and relevant financial and operational reporting to corporate leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, optimize resources, strengthen financial performance, and support sustainable growth.
• Develop and execute business development strategies to enhance hospital visibility, strengthen referral relationships, and support census and service-line growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with physicians, referral sources, community partners, and other key stakeholders.

Community Relations & Organizational Culture

• Represent the hospital within the community and support initiatives addressing local mental health and substance use treatment needs.
• Serve as a liaison among physicians, patients, employees, referral sources, corporate leadership, and community stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, respect, teamwork, accountability, and service excellence.
• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization and collaborate with stakeholders to resolve challenges and achieve shared goals.
• Model the integrity, enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment to quality expected throughout the organization.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience

• Prior leadership or administrative experience in a psychiatric hospital, behavioral health facility, mental health organization, or comparable healthcare setting preferred.
• Working knowledge of addiction treatment, substance use disorders, and recovery-oriented services strongly preferred.
• Experience overseeing healthcare operations, budgets, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and multidisciplinary teams preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and collaborate with clinical, administrative, and external stakeholders.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, relationship-building, and organizational skills.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to establish priorities, execute organizational goals, and drive operational excellence.
• Financial Accountability: Strong understanding of budgeting, financial performance, and resource management.
• Regulatory Compliance: Commitment to maintaining compliance with applicable healthcare regulations and licensing requirements.
• Quality & Patient Focus: Dedication to safe, effective, compassionate, and culturally responsive patient care.
• Team Development: Ability to build, motivate, and hold leadership teams accountable while fostering a positive work environment.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal, presentation, problem-solving, and relationship-management skills.
• Integrity & Professionalism: Consistent commitment to confidentiality, ethical conduct, accountability, and organizational values.

The CEO is expected to lead by example, demonstrate initiative, approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset, and maintain a strong commitment to the hospital’s mission, its employees, and the individuals and families it serves.