North Carolina State Government
Hospital Chief Executive Officer - Cherry Hospital
1401 West Ash Street, NC
Full-time · $128k–$287k (as posted)
First seen by offpeak October 17, 2026
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Agency
Dept of Health and Human ServicesDivision
Cherry HospitalJob Classification Title
Hospital Director (NS)Position Number
60045872Grade
NC28About Us
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.
Description of Work
DSOHF is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, relationship-centered leader to assume the Chief Executive Officer position for Cherry Hospital, located in Goldsboro, NC. The right candidate will be ready to build and model a cohesive hospital culture, provide inspired leadership to the Executive Leadership Team and effectively communicate and empower staff to the vision for the hospital. Cherry's future leader will encourage trust, transparency and integrity.Candidate will posses a thorough knowledge of hospital administration, methods, best practices and professional standards. Ability to organize and direct a broad range of programs and services. Working knowledge of programming needs for persons with psychiatric illness with or without co-occurring disorders including substance use disorders and/or intellectual developmental disabilities. Working knowledge of MH/SUD/IDD Standards of Care.
Considerable written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, ability to analyze and problem solve difficult situations. Prior record establishing and maintaining successful working relationships with consumers, families, advocates, stakeholders, community leaders, and other agencies serving people with psychiatric and other related challenges. Ability to exercise clear administrative, financial and clinical judgment. Knowledge and experience in interpreting and applying federal and state mental health statutes.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
Salary Range: $127,570-$287,033
Exempt Managerial Posting
Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.
This position is designated Mandatory and must report or stay over during adverse weather and emergency events.
The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:
- Experience in hospital administration and the ability to lead a broad range of programs and services
- Experience in compliance with federal, state and regulatory agencies including CMS and Joint Commission
- Demonstrated financial acumen with the ability to manage complex budgets
- Demonstrated experience in clear, concise verbal and written communication
Physical requirements:
Ability to make rounds throughout multiple floors on the hospital campus daily, sometimes multiple times a day.
Cherry Hospital - A Place of Hope, Care, and Recovery:
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, with approximately 18,000 employees. DHHS manages the delivery of health- and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable citizens – children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. Cherry Hospital (CH) is a State-of-the-Art psychiatric hospital located in a beautiful rural area of Goldsboro, NC. Although rural, Cherry Hospital is convenient to the Triangle Area (Raleigh/Durham) and the coastal region of the state. It is about an hour's drive to the heart of Raleigh or the beautiful coastal town of New Bern.
Our Mission - To provide excellent psychiatric care to individuals with the greatest need and the least resources.
Cherry Hospital serves the 38 most eastern counties of North Carolina with a mission to serve those with the greatest need and the fewest resources. In earnest efforts to follow our mission, we strive to create a healing environment in which every team member has opportunity to positively impact the lives of those around them and the individuals we serve. Learn more about our facility at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/dsohf/cherry-hospital.
Supplemental and Contact Information:
DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
Positions in the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal record background checks. Also, the use of tobacco products of any kind including vapor products are prohibited from our campuses. All employees are required to adhere to the facility's Vaccination Policy.
Application Process:
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.
- Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
- Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.
- If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
- Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
- Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.
Veteran’s and National Guard Preference:
- Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
- Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
- Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.
ADA Accommodations:
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.
Compensation and Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. For more information about compensation and benefits, please visit NC OSHR: Benefits.
Applicants will be communicated via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at Facility HR Number.
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
Master’s degree in hospital administration and seven years of experience in progressively responsible hospital administration, preferable in a setting similar to the position filled; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
EEO Statement
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter:
Nya Ashantiana WatsonContact:
DHHS Workday Support Form