Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Behavioral Health

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Behavioral Health

Location: Council Bluffs, IA I Saint Charles, MO

Position Type: Full-Time | Permanent

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the senior executive leader with full responsibility for the day-to-day management and overall operation of the Behavioral Health Hospital. The CEO is accountable for strategic planning, operational excellence, financial performance, regulatory compliance, quality outcomes, and talent leadership. This executive will lead the hospital in achieving census growth, EBITDA targets, regulatory excellence, and patient satisfaction while fostering a culture aligned with organizational values of integrity, compassion, and service.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with the governing body.
• Lead strategic business planning and long-term growth initiatives.
• Achieve and exceed census and EBITDA targets.
• Oversee financial performance, cost controls, and revenue growth initiatives.
• Lead payer contract negotiations and manage managed care relationships.

Operational Leadership

• Direct day-to-day hospital operations to ensure:
  • High-quality patient care outcomes
  • Regulatory and accreditation compliance
  • Efficient departmental operations
  • Business development growth
• Organize and align departmental leadership to meet patient care and financial objectives.
• Develop and expand continuum of care, including outpatient and community-based programs.

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

• Maintain continuous survey readiness (Joint Commission/JCAHO and CMS).
• Ensure licensure and accreditation standards are met or exceeded.
• Lead QAPI initiatives and patient safety programs.
• Achieve 92% regulatory survey success rate with no major findings.

Talent & Culture Leadership

• Recruit and retain high-performing leadership and clinical teams.
• Lead physician and psychiatrist recruitment efforts.
• Foster a culture of accountability, performance, and professional development.
• Evaluate and coach leadership team members.

Community & Market Engagement

• Build strong relationships with:
  • Government agencies
  • Community organizations
  • Referral partners
  • Local businesses
• Develop marketing strategies to enhance referral satisfaction and brand presence.
• Drive competitive market positioning and expansion strategies.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required (Business, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, or related field)
• MBA/MHA preferred
• Minimum 5–7 years senior leadership experience
• Experience as CEO or senior executive in:
  • Behavioral Health Hospital
  • Acute Care Hospital
  • Managed Care Environment
• Proven experience with:
  • Joint Commission (JCAHO) survey leadership
  • P&L responsibility
  • Business development
  • Talent recruitment and retention

Core Competencies

• Behavioral Health Hospital Leadership Experience
• JCAHO / Joint Commission Survey Experience
• Strong Financial Acumen (EBITDA, Census Growth)
• Marketing & Community Engagement
• Quality & Regulatory Excellence
• Strategic Thinking & Enterprise Leadership
• Talent Development & Retention
• Change Management & Operational Improvement

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Demonstrate enterprise-level strategic thinking
• Consistently deliver measurable business results
• Lead with integrity and professionalism
• Build high-performing teams
• Drive continuous improvement in quality and compliance
• Adapt and thrive in a dynamic healthcare environment