Chief Executive Officer

Root Center for Advanced Recovery is a financially strong, private, nonprofit organization with approximately $41 million in annual revenue and a recognized statewide leader in mental health, substance use treatment, community health services, and research throughout Connecticut. Established in 1871 as the Hartford Dispensary, the organization began as an outpatient medical clinic, providing care to individuals who could not afford private medical services.

Over more than 150 years, it has evolved into one of the state's leading behavioral healthcare organizations while remaining deeply committed to serving individuals and families with compassion, innovation, and clinical excellence.

Today, Root Center serves more than 5,500 patients each day and over 6,800 individuals annually through a network of 14 locations across Connecticut. Its comprehensive continuum of care includes addiction treatment, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, mental health services, medication management, adolescent treatment, residential care, wellness and community-based services, and innovative treatment approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation

Root Center's purpose is to create relationships that empower patients with the courage and ability to change by providing guidance and support throughout their recovery journey. Guided by compassion, respect, innovation, and continuous improvement, the organization has built a dedicated workforce, modern facilities, a strong financial foundation, and an enduring reputation as one of Connecticut's premier behavioral healthcare provider

With a strong financial foundation, modern facilities, a highly motivated workforce, and an engaged Board of Directors, Root Center is well-positioned for its next phase of leadership. The Board is seeking a Chief Executive Officer who can build on the organization's longstanding reputation while preparing it for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Working closely with the Board, leadership team, employees, patients, government partners, and community stakeholders, the next CEO will strengthen the organization internally, advance strategic priorities, and help evaluate opportunities to expand Root Center's impact through partnerships, integrated care initiatives, affiliations, and other avenues for grow

As Chief Executive Officer of Root Center for Advanced Recovery, you will assume responsibility for the overall performance and future direction of a complex, multi-site behavioral healthcare organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will build on Root Center’s strengths while developing new strategic opportunities and ensuring that its recovery mission and commitment to patients remain central to every decision.

The new leader will strengthen leadership alignment by engaging employees, communicating openly, establishing clear expectations, and promoting consistent accountability. The CEO must lead with empathy and authenticity while remaining willing to make difficult decisions, address performance needs that might exist, and maintain organizational focus and results.

Working with the Board and executive leadership team, the CEO will refine and execute Root Center's strategic vision. The new leader will establish clear priorities and measurable goals while evaluating opportunities involving Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) development, integrated care, strategic partnerships, mergers or affiliations, geographic and service expansion, and other emerging models of care. The CEO will help the Board decide which opportunities are right for Root Center, which require further study, and which should not be pursued.

The CEO will protect and build upon Root Center's strong financial position, including its history of profitability and strong endowment. This includes managing resources carefully, responding to reimbursement and workforce pressures, and using data to improve performance and patient outcomes. The CEO must also anticipate and respond to changes in state and federal policy, reimbursement, licensing, and regulatory requirements.

Externally, the CEO will represent Root Center with government agencies, payers, healthcare partners, referral sources, and community organizations. The CEO will strengthen Root Center's statewide influence, advocate for the diverse communities it serves, and build partnerships that improve access and outcomes across Connecticut.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a thoughtful and accomplished executive to lead a financially strong organization with a dedicated workforce and an engaged Board while playing a significant role in shaping the future of behavioral healthcare and recovery services in Connecticut.

To be successful in leading Root Center, the “ideal” candidate will embody and have demonstrated the following leadership traits, competencies, and values:

• Builds trust through integrity, transparency, visible leadership, and open…