Health District Administrator #0912

Overview

Our client, a comprehensive public health organization serving communities along the Texas Gulf Coast, is seeking a Chief Executive Officer, Public Health Operations to provide senior leadership across a broad range of essential health services. The organization supports its county and member cities through three core service areas: traditional public health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and the county’s largest EMS provider.

Reporting to the governing Board of Health, this role carries full accountability for organizational strategy, daily operations, and approximately 251 employees. The position requires a hands-on executive who can set clear expectations, reinforce accountability, and foster a professional, high-performing culture across the organization.

The Board is seeking a structured, decisive leader with sound financial judgment, strong integrity, and the confidence to make difficult decisions when needed. This is an opportunity for a leader who builds trust through consistency, follow-through, and clear direction to make a meaningful impact on both the organization and the wider community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead public health readiness initiatives and emergency response planning.
• Provide executive oversight and administration across all operations, including clinical services, public health programs, and EMS.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with healthcare providers, hospitals, local governments, and underserved communities.
• Guide strategic planning and policy development in alignment with the organization’s Strategic Health Plan and Board priorities.
• Oversee compliance, fiscal operations, and program performance, including HRSA requirements and health clinic quality standards.
• Establish consistent operating standards, financial discipline, and accountability across all divisions.
• Partner with and support the governing Board of Health on governance matters and organizational reporting.
• Lead organizational restructuring efforts, including evaluation of divisional leadership, compensation structures, and departmental operations.
• Direct grant strategy and applications to federal, state, and private funders, with a strong focus on HRSA, while managing all required funding-agency reporting.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

One of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in a business or administrative field, plus 7+ years of managerial experience in a health services organization.
• Master’s degree in Public Health Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field, plus 5+ years of managerial experience in a health services organization.

An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Strong financial and budget management capability, including the ability to review and validate budgets, grant formulas, and funding allocations.
• Valid Texas driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one upon hire.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HRSA programs, requirements, funding mechanisms, and sub-grant management.
• Proven experience addressing public health and community health issues.
• Experience preparing and submitting grant applications to federal, state, and private funders, as well as reporting to funding agencies.
• Excellent communication skills, strong ethical standards, and a commitment to HIPAA and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated change leadership, including setting standards, holding teams accountable, and strengthening organizational culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Nonprofit or government healthcare operations background.
• Seven or more years of progressive executive management experience within a public health or community health center organization.
• Familiarity with IT governance and organizational cybersecurity oversight.
• Direct experience overseeing outpatient clinics or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operations.
• Compliance and fiscal oversight experience, particularly with HRSA or similar federal programs.

Reporting and Team

The Chief Executive Officer, Public Health Operations reports directly to the governing Board of Health and leads an executive team across Public Health, Nursing, Community Health and Wellness, EMS, Finance, Grants, HR, and Communications. The position is supported by an Assistant Executive Director.

Benefits

Salary: $200,000 to $220,000, commensurate with experience.

Pension: True defined-benefit pension plan with 100% employer match and lifetime monthly payment (8-year vesting).

Health: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

No-cost access to Coastal Health & Wellness clinics for employees.

Relocation assistance available for out-of-area candidates (receipt-based reimbursement, typically capped at $10,000).

Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.

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