Executive Director

Keller Executive Search International; Texas City (TX); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Keller Executive Search International is recruiting on behalf of a Galveston County health district for an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership across clinical services, public health programs, and EMS. The role requires building a high-performing organization, establishing standards, and ensuring accountability to the United Board of Health.

The Executive Director will guide strategic planning, budget discipline, grant management (HRSA focus), and partnerships with local

Qualifications

• Proven executive leadership experience in a complex organization (public health preferred).
• Strong financial judgment with budgeting and fiscal oversight experience.
• High integrity with ability to set and enforce standards and accountability.
• Experience on building high-performance culture and strong governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and administration across all GCHD operations, including clinical services, public health programs, and EMS.
• Lead strategic planning and policy development in line with the Strategic Health Plan and Board direction.
• Establish clear operational standards, budget discipline, and accountability across divisions.
• Direct organizational restructuring, including leadership assessment, pay structures, and departmental operations.
• Direct grant strategy and reporting to federal, state, and private funders (HRSA focus).
• Oversee compliance, fiscal operations, and program performance, including HRSA requirements and quality standards.
• Build and maintain partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, local governments, and underserved communities.
• Lead public health preparedness and disaster response.
• Coordinate governance and reporting with the United Board of Health.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Financial acumen

Governance

Job description

Overview

Galveston County, Texas is home to one of the Texas Gulf Coast's most comprehensive public health organizations. Serving the county and its thirteen member cities, this Tier 1 governmental health district delivers essential services across three areas: traditional public health, a Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary care and wellness services, and the county's largest EMS provider. Reporting to the United Board of Health, the Executive Director holds full responsibility for the organization's operations, strategy, and roughly 251 employees. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone ready to establish clear standards, strengthen accountability, and build a high-performance, professional culture. The Board is looking for a firm, structured leader with strong financial judgment, high integrity, and the resolve to set expectations, make difficult decisions, and align the organization to a shared direction. If you lead through consistency and earn trust by following through, this is a rare opportunity to shape both an organization and a community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and administration across all GCHD operations, including clinical service delivery, public health programs, and EMS.
• Lead strategic planning and policy development in line with the organization's Strategic Health Plan and Board direction.
• Establish clear operational standards, budget discipline, and accountability across all divisions.
• Lead organizational restructuring, including assessment of divisional leadership, pay structures, and departmental operations.
• Direct grant strategy and applications to federal, state, and private funders, with particular emphasis on HRSA, and manage all funding-agency reporting.
• Oversee compliance, fiscal operations, and program performance, including HRSA requirements and health clinic quality standards.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, local governments, and underserved communities.
• Lead public health preparedness and disaster response.
• Partner with and support the United Board of Health on governance and reporting.