Executive Director

Executive Director

The Executive Director provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the Galveston County Health District. GCHD delivers essential public health services to Galveston County and its thirteen member cities. These services include maintenance of vital statistics records, issuance of food and environmental permits, oversight of the county's largest animal services facility, operation of multiple health clinics providing primary care, preventive services, chronic disease management, and reproductive health services, community health nursing services, immunizations, WIC program administration, monitoring of TB, STD, and HIV patterns, public health preparedness, and operation of the Galveston Area Ambulance Authority (the county's largest EMS entity).

The Executive Director is responsible for the effective management and administration of all Health District operations, including oversight of clinical service delivery, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission, policies, and strategic goals while maintaining strong relationships with the Board of Health, funding agencies, and the community.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide executive-level management and administration of all GCHD operations, including clinical operations across health clinics.
• Lead mission, policy, and strategic planning initiatives with a focus on expanding and improving accessible clinical services.
• Support Board governance and work collaboratively with the United Board of Health.
• Build and maintain strong community relations and partnerships, particularly with healthcare providers, hospitals, and underserved populations.
• Prepare and develop grant applications to federal, state, and private foundations, with specific emphasis on HRSA funding opportunities.
• Manage reporting requirements to public and private funding agencies, including HRSA.
• Oversee compliance, fiscal operations, and program performance, including HRSA program requirements and health clinic quality standards.
• Respond to Board-mandated tasks and perform other duties as assigned.
• Lead public health preparedness and disaster response activities.
• Work toward the goals and objectives of the Strategic Health Plan, including clinical service delivery metrics and patient access goals.
• Provide strategic oversight of health clinic operations, including staffing, quality improvement, patient flow, integration of public health and primary care services, and expansion of clinic-based programs to meet community health needs.

Qualifications Required

• Master's Degree in Public Health Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field with at least five (5) years of managerial experience in a health services organization, OR
• Bachelor's Degree in a business or administrative-related field with at least seven (7) years of managerial experience in a health services organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) programs, requirements, and funding mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience exploring and resolving community and public health issues.
• Experience preparing and submitting grant applications to federal, state, and private funding sources (including HRSA preferred).
• Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience reporting to public and private funding agencies.
• Valid Texas driver's license.

Preferred

• At least seven (7) years of progressive experience as an executive manager within a public health or community health center entity.
• Direct experience overseeing outpatient health clinics or federally qualified health center (FQHC) operations.
• Experience in compliance oversight and fiscal operations, particularly with HRSA or similar federal programs.
• An equivalent combination of education and work experience that demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds.
• Strong ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, the public, and professional groups.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Consistent demonstration of positive/proactive customer service attitude.
• High ethical standards and commitment to quality public service, fairness, and inclusivity.
• Proven…