Chief Executive Officer, Oregon State Hospital

Oregon Health Authority; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Health Authority in Salem, Oregon seeks a Chief Executive Officer for Oregon State Hospital to lead a complex public healthcare system. The CEO will strengthen patient and workforce safety, maintain regulatory excellence, and drive organizational performance while partnering with state government, labor, and community stakeholders.

The role requires a demonstrated record of executive leadership in healthcare or public sector, with strong communication and strategic management.

Qualifications

• Significant executive leadership experience in complex healthcare, behavioral health, public-sector, or similarly regulated environments.
• A track record of translating strategy into sustained organizational and operational improvement.
• Strong judgment and the ability to navigate complex issues, competing priorities, and difficult decisions.
• Experience developing high-performing leadership teams and strengthening organizational culture.
• Strong executive communication and the ability to build productive relationships across organizational and community settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, equity, transparency, integrity, and public service.

Responsibilities

• Lead a complex public healthcare organization and translate priorities into measurable results.
• Set direction and lead the executive team, driving performance and accountability.
• Collaborate with state government, labor, regulatory and oversight bodies, and community stakeholders to advance OSH’s mission.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic translation

Judgment under complexity

Leadership team development

Executive communication

Public service commitment

Job description

Position Title Chief Executive Officer, Oregon State Hospital

Initial Posting Date 10/06/2026

Application Deadline 11/01/2026

Agency Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range $27,166 - $29,949

Position Type Employee

Position Title Chief Executive Officer, Oregon State Hospital

Job Description If this opportunity aligns with your leadership experience, values, and commitment to public service, we encourage you to apply. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) values diverse perspectives and experiences and is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Lead a critical public institution. Strengthen Oregon’s behavioral health system. Deliver measurable results.

Oregon is seeking an accomplished hospital executive to lead Oregon State Hospital at a pivotal point in its future. The next CEO will be responsible for strengthening patient and workforce safety, sustaining regulatory excellence, advancing organizational performance, and strengthening OSH’s role within Oregon’s behavioral health system.

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Oregon’s most complex public healthcare organizations. The CEO will set direction, lead the executive team, make difficult decisions, and translate priorities into measurable results for patients, employees, and the broader behavioral health system.

Reporting to the Director of the Oregon Health Authority, the CEO serves on the OHA Director’s Leadership Team and provides executive leadership for Oregon State Hospital. The role has access to the expertise and resources of OHA and requires strong partnership across state government, labor, regulatory and oversight organizations, community behavioral health, and the people OSH serves.

The next CEO will bring clarity to complexity, accountability to performance, and steady leadership through change.

Learn More About The Opportunity

Explore the full Oregon State Hospital CEO Recruitment Profile for more about the organization, leadership opportunity, priorities, and what success will look like in the role.

VIEW THE RECRUITMENT PROFILE

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking an executive with a demonstrated record of leading complex organizations and producing measurable results.

The Successful Candidate Will Bring

• Significant executive leadership experience in a complex healthcare, behavioral health, public-sector, or similarly regulated environment.
• A record of translating strategy into sustained organizational and operational improvement.
• Strong judgment and the ability to navigate complex issues, competing priorities, and difficult decisions.
• Experience developing high-performing leadership teams and strengthening organizational culture.
• Strong executive communication and the ability to build productive relationships across organizational and community settings.
• A demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, equity, transparency, integrity, and public service.

Application Guidance

• Resume – Submit a current resume clearly outlining your executive leadership experience, accomplishments, education, and relevant professional background.
• Cover Letter– A cover letter of no more than two pages is required. Candidates should describe their interest in the opportunity and highlight the leadership experience and qualifications they would bring to Oregon State Hospital.
• Supplemental Questions – Answer supplemental questions accurately.
• Final Check! – Before submitting, confirm that all required materials are included and your Workday Job History is current. The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire.

Benefits Of Joining The Oregon Health Authority

The State of Oregon offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision coverage; retirement through PERS/OPSRP; paid leave and holidays; deferred compensation and other optional benefits; potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness; and professional development opportunities.

Additional Details

• This announcement is for one, full-time, permanent, executive service CEO position (Classification: Superintendent) based in Salem, Oregon.
• This is an in-office position.
• Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check and a driving records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page.
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization. If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position.
• We evaluate candidates based on their own skills and experience. Unless explicitly approved, outside resources – including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – are not permitted during assessments or interviews. Use of unauthorized resources will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

Contact Information

Recruiter: See Eun Kim

Email: [e-mail]

Accommodation Requests (ADA): OHA provides reasonable accommodations under the ADA, which may include alternative formats of materials or language support. If you need an accommodation to apply for this position or participate in the selection process, please contact the recruiter listed above.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class, including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation, and do not screen applicants based on current or past compensation.

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.