Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Interim

We are seeking an experienced executive leader to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer while supporting organizational stability and advancing strategic priorities during a leadership transition.

What You Will Do:

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the executive leader of Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness, providing strategic vision, operational leadership, and organizational oversight to ensure the agency fulfills its mission while maintaining financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, and exceptional service delivery.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO partners with executive leadership to guide organizational strategy, support clinical excellence, strengthen community partnerships, and position WVCW for long-term success.

This position leads a multidisciplinary leadership team and serves as the organization's primary representative with community partners, governmental agencies, funding entities, healthcare organizations, and the public.

Work Location:

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement. The successful candidate will be expected to complete an initial onboarding period on-site, spend time meeting with employees, leadership, community partners, and the Board of Directors, and develop a thorough understanding of agency operations. Following onboarding, the position may transition to a hybrid schedule with remote work and in-person, providing a presence for leadership meetings, Board meetings, strategic planning, community engagement, and other organizational priorities. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to successfully lead teams while remaining highly engaged with the organization and the community it serves.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the organization's strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Provide vision and leadership that supports organizational growth and long-term sustainability.
• Evaluate emerging behavioral health trends and position the organization to meet future community needs.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Organizational Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the executive leadership team.
• Promote a collaborative culture focused on accountability, communication, and employee engagement.
• Establish organizational goals and monitor progress toward key performance indicators.
• Ensure succession planning for leadership positions.

Clinical and Operational Oversight

• Ensure delivery of high-quality, person-centered behavioral health services.
• Support the Chief Clinical Officer in maintaining clinical excellence and compliance with applicable standards.
• Oversee organizational operations including outpatient behavioral health, crisis services, residential programs, prevention services, school-based services, and community partnerships.
• Ensure services remain responsive to the changing needs of the community.

Financial Stewardship

• Direct development and oversight of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Ensure responsible financial management and long-term fiscal sustainability.
• Monitor organizational financial performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Oversee revenue cycle performance, contract management, grants, and funding opportunities.
• Present financial information and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison between management and the Board of Directors.
• Provide timely and accurate reports regarding organizational performance.
• Support the Board in strategic planning and policy development.
• Ensure Board directives are effectively implemented throughout the organization.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and contractual obligations.
• Maintain organizational accreditation and licensing standards.
• Promote a culture of compliance, ethics, privacy, and risk management.
• Ensure organizational policies remain current and effectively implemented.

Community Relations

• Represent WVCW with governmental agencies, community organizations, healthcare partners, schools, and the public.
• Advocate for behavioral health services at the local, regional, and state levels.
• Cultivate relationships that strengthen community partnerships and expand service opportunities.
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization's mission and values.

Quality Improvement

• Promote continuous quality improvement throughout the organization.
• Utilize data to evaluate organizational effectiveness and improve outcomes.
• Support evidence-based practices and performance improvement initiatives.
• Ensure organizational goals align with quality, safety, and client satisfaction measures.

Emergency Preparedness

• Serve as executive leader during emergencies or critical incidents.
• Ensure organizational emergency preparedness plans remain current.
• Coordinate organizational response to disasters, public health emergencies, and other critical events.

Leadership Competencies:

The successful CEO demonstrates

• Visionary leadership
• Strategic thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Integrity and ethical decision-making
• Financial acumen
• Excellent communication skills
• Collaboration and relationship building
• Political and community awareness
• Change management
• Conflict resolution
• Sound judgment
• Accountability
• Commitment to continuous improvement

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Behavioral Health, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive executive or senior leadership experience in healthcare, behavioral health, or a related human services organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations, including financial oversight and strategic planning.
• Experience working with governing boards.
• Knowledge of behavioral health systems, Medicaid, Medicare, Oregon Health Authority regulations, and community mental health programs.
• Ability to work with state legislators, representatives and other political officials in advocating for behavioral health including providing testimony when needed.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check. WVCW adheres to federal guidelines when completing UA screenings, this includes marijuana.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed healthcare or behavioral health professional.
• Experience leading a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) or Community Mental Health Program (CMHP).
• Experience with governmental relations and legislative advocacy.

Working Relationships:

The CEO works collaboratively with

• Board of Directors
• Executive Leadership Team
• Department Directors
• Medical Director
• Community partners
• Oregon Health Authority
• County officials
• Schools
• Healthcare organizations
• Contractors
• Vendors
• Funding agencies

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to travel throughout Wallowa County and occasionally throughout Oregon.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to use standard office equipment and technology.

Work Environment

This position is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent travel to organizational facilities, community meetings, conferences, and state meetings. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Performance Expectations:

The CEO is expected to

• Demonstrate leadership that reflects the organization's mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain financial stability while advancing organizational growth.
• Foster a positive organizational culture.
• Achieve strategic objectives established by the Board of Directors.
• Maintain regulatory compliance and accreditation standards.
• Build strong relationships with employees, clients, partners, and the community.
• Lead with transparency, accountability, and integrity.

Mission Alignment

The Chief Executive Officer is expected to model and promote the mission, vision, and values of Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness by fostering an organizational culture centered on compassionate care, innovation, accountability, collaboration, and service to the community.

The CEO is entrusted with ensuring that every organizational decision supports WVCW's commitment to providing accessible, high-quality behavioral health services while maintaining fiscal responsibility and preparing the organization for future opportunities and challenges.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.