Executive Director, EastCare

ECU Health; Greenville (NC); On-site; USD 143,041 - 208,494; Full time

Job summary

ECU Health is seeking an Executive Director of EastCare to provide strategic leadership of the air and ground transport division, aligning services with the health system’s mission, regulatory requirements, and community needs.

The role oversees operations, financial performance, and quality programs across rotor-wing and ground ambulance services, partnering with clinical leadership to ensure safe, patient-centered transport.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Nursing, Aviation Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in air medical transport, EMS, healthcare operations, or aviation services.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex operations with multiple service lines.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements related to EMS, aviation and healthcare operations.
• Proven financial management and budgeting experience.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for air and ground transport services aligned with ECU Health's mission and vision.
• Oversee daily operations of air and ground transport services to ensure efficiency, reliability, and clinical excellence.
• Partner with medical directors and clinical leadership to ensure high standards of patient care.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets.
• Ensure compliance with EMS, aviation, and healthcare regulations.
• Lead recruitment, training, and staff development across transport services.
• Collaborate with hospital leadership and regional partners to align transport services.
• Promote safety culture and risk management across all operations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Regulatory compliance

Collaboration & stakeholder engagement

Quality improvement

Risk management

People leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration / related field

Master's degree (MHA / MBA / MSN)

Job description

Position Summary

The Executive Director of EastCare is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and financial performance of the air and ground transport division of the health system. This role ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered transport services across all modalities, including rotor-wing and ground ambulance operations. The Executive Director collaborates with clinical, operational, and administrative leaders to align transport services with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and community needs. ECU Health is a mission-driven, 1,708 bed health system that annually serves more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is comprised of more than 13,500 team members, nine hospitals. ECU Health Medical Center (ECUHMC) serves as the teaching hospital for the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health serves 29 counties in eastern North Carolina with a population of 1.4 million people. On an annual basis, it serves 45,000 inpatients and over 170,000 outpatients (including 117,000 ED visits). ECUHMC currently trains 2,500 students in a variety of fields including nursing and allied health.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for air and ground transport services aligned with the mission and vision of the health system.
• Identify growth opportunities, partnerships, and service expansions.
• Lead program development initiatives, including new base locations or service lines.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee daily operations of air and ground transport services to ensure efficiency, reliability, and clinical excellence.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including aviation and EMS standards.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, response times, patient outcomes, and customer satisfaction.
• Monitor and ensure accountability of vendor(s) with contract and performance terms.

Clinical and Quality Assurance

• Partner with medical directors and clinical leadership to ensure high standards of patient care.
• Support continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives and patient safety programs.
• Ensure adherence to clinical protocols, accreditation standards, and best practices.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets.
• Monitor financial performance, including revenue cycle, cost control, and profitability.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost savings.
• Work collaboratively with ECU Health leadership to negotiate optimal contract terms within vendor relationships.

Regulatory and Compliance

• Maintain compliance with accrediting bodies (e.g., CAMTS, state EMS agencies, FAA regulations where applicable).
• Ensure readiness for inspections, audits, and certifications.
• Oversee risk management and safety programs.

Leadership and Workforce Development

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and development for management and frontline staff.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee recruitment, retention, training, professional development and engagement strategies.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with hospital leadership, emergency departments, trauma services, and regional partners.
• Represent the transport division in internal committees and external organizations.
• Build relationships with community stakeholders, EMS agencies, and referring facilities.

Safety and Risk Management

• Promote a strong culture of safety across all operations.
• Oversee aviation safety (if applicable) and ground transport safety programs.
• Ensure incident reporting, investigation, and corrective action processes are effective.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Nursing, Aviation Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressive leadership experience in air medical transport, EMS, healthcare operations, or aviation services.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex operations with multiple service lines.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements related to EMS, aviation and healthcare operations.
• Proven financial management and budgeting experience.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Requirements

• Master's degree (e.g., MHA, MBA, MSN, or related field).
• Current or prior licensure/certification in a clinical discipline (e.g., RN, paramedic, respiratory therapist) or aviation credential.
• Experience with accredited air medical programs (e.g., CAMTS accreditation).
• Knowledge of aviation operations, including FAA regulations and flight program management.
• Experience in a large, integrated health system or multi-site transport program.
• Certification in healthcare or EMS leadership (e.g., CMTE, FP-C, CCP-C, or equivalent).
• Strong background in quality improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

Work Environment & Additional Expectations

Does require travel between bases, hospitals, and regional locations.

Availability for on-call or emergency response leadership as needed.

Ability to function in a high-stress, fast-paced environment with critical decision-making responsibilities.

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Pay Range

$143,041.60 - $208,494.00

About ECU Health

ECU Health is a mission-driven, 1,708-bed academic health care system serving more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is comprised of 13,000 team members, nine hospitals and a physician group that encompasses over 1,100 academic and community providers practicing in over 180 primary and specialty clinics located in more than 130 locations.

The flagship ECU Health Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, and ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital serve as the primary teaching hospitals for the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine share a combined academic mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina through patient care, education and research.

General Statement

It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.