Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Renewal Falls Recovery Center
Cedar Falls, Iowa

In partnership with Ascension Recovery Services

Set to open in late summer 2026, this is an executive leadership opportunity to build, lead, and scale a multi-level treatment program offering ASAM 3.5, 3.7, and outpatient services, with a planned capacity of 120-156 beds.

In partnership with Ascension Recovery Services (ARS), this role is designed for a strategic operator and enterprise leader-someone who can translate vision into execution while building a high-performing, mission-driven organization from the ground up.

Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the senior-most leader of the organization, responsible for ensuring execution across all aspects of facility performance.

This role owns operational execution, financial performance, and culture, with accountability for delivering sustainable growth, clinical quality, and long-term organizational success.

The CEO operates as both a hands-on builder during launch and leader post-stabilization, partnering closely with ARS executive leadership to align local performance with broader organizational objectives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Facility Launch & Operational Leadership

• Lead pre-opening execution, including hiring, onboarding, licensure readiness, and go-live operations
• Stand up programming across detox, residential, and outpatient services
• Establish strong operating cadence, reporting structures, and accountability frameworks
• Ensure operational readiness across all departments at launch

Financial & Business Performance

• Own full P&L accountability, including budgeting, forecasting, labor optimization, and cost control
• Drive census growth strategy, referral development, and payer mix optimization
• Monitor key business metrics and proactively adjust strategy to meet targets
• Partner with shared services to ensure financial discipline and operational scalability

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build and lead a high-performing executive and department leadership team
• Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, and performance excellence
• Develop leadership bench strength and succession planning strategies
• Drive consistent performance management and leadership development practices

Clinical Alignment & Patient Experience

• Partner with clinical leadership to ensure delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care
• Ensure operational decisions support clinical integrity and patient outcomes
• Champion a differentiated, high-quality patient experience across the full continuum of care

Compliance, Quality & Risk Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with state, federal, and accreditation standards
• Maintain continuous survey readiness and operational audit processes
• Oversee risk management, incident response, and quality improvement initiatives
• Reinforce a culture of ethical leadership and regulatory accountability

External Relations, Market Leadership & National Presence

• Serve as the executive face of the organization across the local market, referral community, and national industry landscape
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships to drive referral growth, payer relationships, and market share
• Position the organization as a recognized leader in behavioral health within the region and an emerging national presence
• Represent the organization in executive forums, industry events, and strategic partnerships that elevate brand visibility
• Collaborate with ARS leadership on multi-market expansion, brand strategy, and enterprise growth initiatives

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare or behavioral health
• 3+ years in a senior executive role (CEO, Executive Director, VP, or equivalent)
• Experience managing multi-level care environments (detox, residential, outpatient)
• Demonstrated experience with P&L ownership and operational scaling

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree (MBA, MHA, or related field)
• Experience leading facility start-ups or turnaround environments
• Accreditation survey leadership experience (Joint Commission or similar)
• Experience in high-growth, multi-site, or PE-backed healthcare organizations
• Strong understanding of payer strategy and reimbursement models

Compensation & Benefits

The base compensation range for this position is $150,000 - $200,000, with additional performance-based incentives tied to census growth, financial performance, and quality outcomes.

This range reflects Ascension Recovery Services' good faith estimate at the time of this posting. Placement within the range will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity. Candidates should be comfortable with an on-site presence to support collaboration, team leadership, and cross-functional partnership.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision (ICHRA model)
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Life Insurance & EAP
• Professional development support