Executive Director, Finance (Cleveland)

Southwest General Health Center is a 352-bed community hospital located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. One of the last standing community hospitals in Northeast Ohio, we partner with University Hospitals and other local community organizations to provide a full range of services to all who need us. We are certified as a Level III Trauma Center and a Primary Stroke Center, and have been serving our community for over 100 years!

At Southwest General, we believe in the power of teamwork, creating a family-like environment, ensuring a work-life balance, and providing meaningful work to make a real difference in people’s lives.

We value our employees as much as our patients, offering a supportive work culture that encourages growth, development and collaboration. We’re committed to building a team that works together, supports each other, and ultimately, saves lives every day.

At Southwest, you are family.

The Executive Director of Finance is a leadership role responsible for directing financial strategy and fiscal operations for a $500M+ health system. This position provides strategic oversight for core financial functions including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, tax compliance, capital planning, and payroll. In addition to traditional finance responsibilities, the Director integrates financial stewardship with data-driven operational excellence.

The role serves as a key advisor to the Chief Financial Officer and senior leadership team, driving alignment between financial strategy, clinical priorities, and organizational goals. This includes ownership of long-range financial planning, margin improvement, real-time productivity tracking, and performance benchmarking.

Scope of Responsibility

• Oversees three managers and a multidisciplinary team, including finance and payroll.
• Directs the development and execution of the annual operating and capital budget totaling $500M+.
• Leads system-wide performance improvement and cost containment strategies, collaborating with clinical, operational, and administrative departments.
• Serves as lead financial liaison to department directors and the executive team, translating complex financial data into actionable operational decisions.
• Manages financial reporting, monthly close, audit preparation, and regulatory filings including Medicare cost reports and tax returns.
• Administers and optimizes the ADP payroll system and Strata decision support system, including real-time labor productivity dashboards.
• Coordinates capital planning processes, including ROI tracking and strategic alignment with long-range infrastructure investments.
• Oversees development of service line reporting and pro forma analyses for new programs or capital initiatives.
• Facilitates compliance with healthcare financial regulations and changing reimbursement structures.
• Partners with clinical and administrative leadership to build financial acumen across the organization.

Key Qualifications

Education : Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; MBA preferred.

Experience : 

• Minimum of 10 years’ progressive healthcare finance experience, with at least five (5) years in a leadership role.
• Proven success leading large cross-functional teams, including finance, engineering, and performance improvement personnel.
• Expertise in financial reporting, strategic planning, operating/capital budgeting, and decision support in a healthcare environment.
• Strong technical proficiency in Strata, Benchmarking, Infor Lawson, ADP Workforce Now, and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive decision-making through data interpretation, KPI tracking, and business case development.

Certification or licensure : CPA preferred.