Natividad Hospital Chief Executive Officer

Natividad is a county-owned and operated public health care system and Level II Trauma Center serving the diverse communities of Monterey County. Located in Salinas, California, Natividad provides comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty care to adults and children, regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status.

Founded in 1886, Natividad has served Monterey County for 140 years and remains one of the region’s most important public institutions. The 172-bed hospital is supported by nearly 1,700 employees and more than 400 physicians and medical staff. Each year, Natividad records approximately 60,000 emergency department visits, more than 11,000 inpatient admissions and nearly 2,200 births.

Natividad is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of California’s 17 public health care systems. It serves as Monterey County’s essential safety net hospital, its only teaching hospital and one of the Central Coast’s most important providers of advanced and lifesaving care.

The hospital operates the only Level II Trauma Center in Monterey County, providing 24-hour access to trauma-specialized care and treating approximately 1,400 trauma patients annually. Natividad also offers nationally recognized women’s and children’s services, a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, acute rehabilitation, behavioral health, surgical and specialty care, comprehensive primary care and Monterey County’s only child maltreatment clinic.

Natividad’s longstanding academic affiliation with the University of California, San Francisco is central to its mission. Its nationally recognized UCSF-affiliated Family Medicine Residency is one of the university’s original affiliate residency programs and prepares physicians to serve medically underserved communities, advance health equity and become leaders in family medicine.

Natividad is owned and operated by County of Monterey and governed by the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors, with guidance from a Board of Trustees. The Hospital Chief Executive Officer reports directly to the Board of Supervisors and works closely with the Board of Trustees, county leadership, elected officials, labor representatives, community partners and other stakeholders. The CEO will lead an executive team that includes the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer and Assistant Hospital Administrators.

The incoming CEO will inherit a highly regarded public hospital with a strong financial foundation, a committed workforce and a culture deeply rooted in quality, compassion and service. This is not a mandate to redefine Natividad’s identity. Rather, the next CEO will maintain and enhance the organization’s strengths while positioning it to respond to a rapidly changing health care, financial and political environment.

The CEO will provide strategic, operational and financial leadership for the hospital and will be responsible for advancing high-quality patient care, long-term sustainability, workforce engagement, regulatory compliance and community impact. The successful candidate will balance fiscal discipline with thoughtful investment, identify opportunities to responsibly grow the organization’s reach and strengthen Natividad’s position as a trusted provider of choice throughout Monterey County.

This role requires a politically astute and highly collaborative executive who can operate effectively within a visible public-sector governance structure. The CEO must be comfortable working across two boards and building trusted relationships with county officials, legislators, medical staff, employees, organized labor, community leaders, donors and regional health care partners. The successful candidate will be credible in the boardroom, effective in the community and able to communicate clearly in an environment where decisions are subject to public scrutiny.

The Board is seeking a forward-looking leader who can translate vision into action and bring stakeholders together around meaningful change. The next CEO will have the opportunity to advance the patient experience, strengthen access and care coordination, support strategic investments in technology and facilities, attract and develop clinical talent, deepen educational and community partnerships and elevate awareness of Natividad’s clinical quality and distinctive public mission.

The successful candidate will believe deeply in the population Natividad serves. Monterey County is culturally, economically and linguistically diverse and includes a large agricultural workforce, rural communities, Indigenous-language speakers and residents who face significant barriers to care. More than half of Natividad’s patients are covered by Medi-Cal. The needs of this community must remain at the center of the organization’s strategy and every major decision.

Candidates should bring at least five years of increasingly responsible health care or hospital administration experience, including three years in a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer or comparable executive-level role. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience leading a complex acute care hospital or health system and a strong understanding of hospital operations, finance, clinical services, medical staff relations, regulatory requirements and workforce leadership.

Experience in a public hospital, safety net health system, county-operated organization or similarly complex and politically governed environment is strongly preferred. Candidates should possess the financial acumen to evaluate operating and capital priorities, understand payer and reimbursement dynamics and ensure the organization’s continued long-term sustainability. They must also demonstrate the ability to work constructively with organized labor and to build alignment across stakeholders with differing perspectives and priorities.

The ideal candidate will be an innovative, mission-driven and emotionally intelligent leader with exceptional judgment, integrity and communication skills. This executive will be visible, accessible and collaborative, while also possessing the courage to make difficult decisions and challenge established practices when necessary. Experience working with culturally and economically diverse communities and a genuine commitment to health equity and public service will be essential.

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Hospital Administration, Health Care Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Nursing or a closely related field is expected. Candidates may alternatively possess a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from an accredited school of medicine. Equivalent combinations of education, training and experience that demonstrate the required qualifications will also be considered.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead an organization with a strong foundation, a distinctive mission and a vital role in the future health of Monterey County.

Application Information

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately, and the ability to apply or nominate will continue until the position has been filled. The complete position profile can be found at: Natividad Hospital Position Profile Summer 2026. Applications should include a cover letter and résumé and may be submitted at: caldwell.thriveapp.ly/job/1317

The County of Monterey has retained Caldwell Partners, an executive search firm, to assist with this search. Confidential inquiries, nominations and referrals may be directed to: ***email_hidden***

Compensation

The current salary range for this position is $439,452 to $599,869 annually. The final compensation package will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, education, skills and organizational needs.

Please note that the classification is currently undergoing a salary review by the County of Monterey and will be communicated as the search progresses.

The successful candidate will be required to complete a background check, possess a valid California Class C driver’s license or provide approved transportation, and be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays and during emergencies.