Chief Administrative Officer - St. Elias

Are you a healthcare executive who is energized by the opportunity to lead and build upon an already exceptional organization while living and working in one of the most extraordinary places in the world? In Alaska, professional purpose meets unmatched adventure, community connection, and a quality of life unlike anywhere else. St. Elias Specialty Hospital is a US News & World Report Top 50 rehabilitation hospital and LTACH with outstanding caregiver engagement, strong financial performance, and a culture of excellence. If you are an innovative, high-impact leader who thrives on advancing quality, growth, and community impact, and are inspired by the opportunity to make a lasting difference in Alaska, we invite you to explore this unique leadership opportunity with Providence Alaska.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive (CE), Alaska, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for St. Elias Specialty Hospital provides strategic leadership, direction, planning, plus operational oversight of ministry. Under the general direction of the Alaska Service Area CE, the CAO is the key leader for the ministry, community and is a member of the Alaska Service Area Executive Team.

The CAO provides strategic and administrative oversight of their ministry's overall and daily operations including:

• Established strategic guidance and direction for the associated medical center, as appropriate.
• Responsible for day-to-day operations of the facility ensuring quality, safety, engagement of caregivers and providers and patient experience.
• Monitor, assess and enhance operational processes to achieve medical center goals, objectives and metrics.
• Leads initiatives that improve resource management, quality of care, safety, and overall stakeholder satisfaction.
• Responsible for the overall operating budget performance, staff productivity/efficiency, key contracts, and operational accountability for facility(s).
• Establish and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders including caregivers, core leaders, physicians, leadership with other ministries within the Alaska Service Area, respective location, and ministry community advisory board members, government and local officials, and other individuals, groups, or organizations required to foster a strong leadership team.
• Is an active participant and leader in the community.
• Serves as liaison with the community/city leadership, as appropriate.
• Is responsible for administration and stewardship of the Management and Operating Agreement for the ministry operations, as appropriate.
• Provides leadership, support and facilitation of the community advisory board, as appropriate.

Providence is organized to optimize those services that can be best delivered on a centralized or division/service area matrix basis. The following services provide an infrastructure for Providence and should not be duplicated except if deemed appropriate by the Providence Senior Executive Team. System, Division and Service Area Services include Urgent/Express Cares, Providence Medical Group, Finance, Information Services, Human Resources, Providence Foundation, Strategy & Business Development, Marketing and Communication, Pharmacy Services, Risk Management, Infection Control, and Quality. Providence is organized to help provide a continuum of service that will enhance access, quality and the cost of services.

The position contributes to the organization's key outcomes in the following ways:

• Develops an organizational culture that leads to ongoing excellence and effective growth of the business while maintaining the highest integrity.
• Builds strategic relationships and alliances outside the organization to create business opportunities, execute business strategies plus supporting community healthcare short-term requirements.
• Drives the organization to think and act in ways that continuously enhance processes that will sustain and enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Establishes type and number of staff required to provide safe and effective care throughout the ministry.
• Develops a long-range course of action or set of goals to ensure successful realization of the organization's vision.
• Always performs duties in a manner that reflects the Providence Mission, philosophy, Core Values and behavioral standards.

What You’ll Do

Shapes Organizational Strategy

• Leads the development and implementation of an integrated delivery system for the ministry, including development of a vision and strategic plan.
• Leads the development and implementation of required policies, organizational changes, and actions to provide continuum of services to populations/community served. In conjunction with the Service Area strategy and business development leadership, manages the ongoing strategic and annual planning process for the ministry and surrounding communities, updating strategic plans, as required.
• In conjunction with the Alaska Executive Team and Providence Medical Group leadership, develops strategies for physician integration and management in all services and programs, as required.
  • Develops growth plans.
  • Assesses the health of the community served and implements programs to continually improve health and wellness, as required.
  • Commits to a long-term strategy to realize the organization's vision by analyzing information, evaluating options, and selecting the best strategies.
• Leverages business knowledge and experience to quickly evaluate the merit of potential organizational strategies.
  • Communicates and models the organization's vision and values in a way that motivates others to take action to realize the vision.
• Participates in the strategic and annual planning and budgeting processes and develops and implements action plans to ensure the organization achieves its annual objectives.
  • Accountable for accomplishing organizational success indicators and objectives, consistent with the strategic plan.
• Works closely with senior leaders to ensure strategic direction and goals of programs across service lines are met.
   

Models the Values and Behavioral Standards

• Promulgates the Mission and Values of Providence Health and Services throughout the ministries served.
• Assures the mission is integrated into all programs and services.
• Encourages the acceptance and execution of the organization's Values and behavioral standards.
  • Influences others to commit to action that supports the organization's Values and behavioral standards.
• Communicates and models the organization's Mission, Values and behavioral standards in a way that motivates others to take action.
  • Caregiver and Provider Experience: Engage, empower, and partner with caregivers, leaders, and providers to support their job satisfaction and engagement, quality, safety, innovation with a focus on the overall experience of the delivery of care.

Builds High Performance Culture and Results-Based Leadership

• Drives high standards for individual, team, and organizational accomplishment; tenaciously works to meet or exceed challenging goals; derives satisfaction from goal achievement and continuous improvement for clinical, operational and financial metrics.
• Oversees the financial and capital budget planning and management for the ministry.
  • Monitors performance for finance, quality, and patient experience, developing action plans for improvement.
  • Regulatory and accreditation: Serves as the executive lead, collaborating with the Medical Director and Director of Nursing, when engaging in regulatory or governing organization site surveys. Ensures compliance with State and Federal regulations.
• Sets high standards and accountability for ongoing excellence and business growth while maintaining the highest integrity.
  • Provides timely guidance and feedback to ensure ongoing excellence, business growth, and high integrity.
  • Provides leadership to maximize quality, cost effectiveness, patient satisfaction and responsiveness.
  • Maintains high employee morale and positive relationships with employees and management staff to enhance productivity and the quality of work life within the organization.
     

Builds Strategic Business Alliances

• Develops networks and relationships with community leaders, employers and providers as appropriate to improve community health and enhance the continuum of care.
• Represents Providence before local, statewide, legislative and regulatory boards, particularly for rural healthcare.
• Persuades external strategic alliance partners to take action that will create business opportunities.
  • Builds strategic relationships with alliance partners to advance shared goals.
  • Leverages business knowledge and experience to identify strategic alliances that will create business opportunities.
  • Works cooperatively with team members on the development and implementation of an integrated delivery system.
  • Maintains positive relationships with the Medical Staff to integrate physicians into the decision-making processes and to ensure that physician needs are met.
• Provides leadership in integration interests of physicians, physician organizations, other health systems, health plans, hospital and shared services employees for effective and efficient continuum of services to members and patients.
  • Represents the organization to the communities served, as appropriate.
  • Demonstrates positive interactions with the public and positive interpersonal relations in working with employees, managers, and others to maximize productivity and quality of work life.
     

Drives Process Innovation

• Establishes organizational structures and management systems to achieve excellence in care and services.
• Ensures productivity, culture of excellence and patient experience is incorporated into all aspects of programs and services.
• Sets high standards and accountability for continuous improvement in processes that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Leads quality improvement and patient safety activities which promote employee/physician involvement in decision-making on work organization and patient care delivery.
• Creates a strong culture of safety which encourages effective communication with all staff to report issues and change systems.
   

Business Acumen

• Manages the budget and engages in the budgeting process for the hospital demonstrating a keen understanding of basic business operations and the organizational levers that drive profitable growth; draws from personal experience to quickly evaluate business plans and processes to identify data or recommendations that need further investigation.
• Cultivating Clinical and Business Partnerships: Initiates and maintains strategic relationships with stakeholders inside and outside the health system to advance clinical and business goals.
   

Driving Execution

• Translates strategic priorities into operational reality; aligns communication, accountabilities, resource capabilities, internal processes, and ongoing measurement systems to ensure that strategic priorities yield measurable and sustainable results.
   

Making Healthcare Operations Decisions

• Secures and compares information from multiple sources to identify business issues; commits to an action after weighing alternative solutions against important decision criteria.
   

Motivating Through Mission and Values

• Vividly communicates a compelling view of the future state in a way that helps others understand and feel how business outcomes will be different when the Mission and Values become a reality.
   

Building Healthcare Talent

• Establishes systems and processes to attract, develop, engage, and retain talented employees; creates a work environment where people can realize their full potential, thus allowing the organization to meet current and future clinical and business challenges.
   

Coaching and Developing Others

• Provides feedback, instruction, and development guidance to help others excel in their current or future job responsibilities; plans and supports the development of individual skills and abilities.
   

Compelling Communication

• Clearly and succinctly conveys information and ideas to individuals and groups; communicates in a focused and compelling way that captures and holds others' attention.
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Empowerment/Delegation

• Shares authority and responsibilities with others to move decision making and accountability downward through the organization, enable individuals to stretch their capabilities, and accomplish the business unit's strategic priorities.
   

Influence

• Creates and executes influence strategies that persuade key stakeholders to take action that will advance shared interests and business goals.
• Leading Change:
  • Identifies and drives organizational and cultural changes needed to adapt strategically to changing market demands, technology, and internal initiatives.
  • Catalyzes new approaches to improve results by transforming organizational culture, systems, or products/services.
     

Seizing Market Opportunities

• Uses one's understanding of key market drivers to create and seize business and patient service opportunities, expand into new markets, and launch innovative patient services.
   

Setting Healthcare Strategy

• Establishes and commits to a long-term business direction after considering clinical and financial data, resources, market drivers, and organizational values.
• Anticipates and responds to shifts within the market, technology, or policy environment that influence the delivery, management, and financing of healthcare.
   

Executive Disposition

• Demonstrates a poised, credible, and confident demeanor that reassures others and commands respect; conveys an image that is consistent with the organization's Mission and Values.
   

Passion for Results

• Drives high standards for individual, team, and organizational accomplishment; tenaciously works to meet or exceed challenging goals; derives satisfaction from goal achievement and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or healthcare related field of study.
• Master's Degree in Health Administration, Hospital Administration, Business Administration or related field (preferred).

Experience & Expertise

• 5 years of significant senior-level leadership experience in a healthcare delivery organization.
• 2 years of experience working within integrated health systems and a track record of successful relationships with the integration of employed and private physicians.
• 1 year of experience managing the day-to-day financial operations of multiple location delivery systems.
• 7 years of progressively responsible leadership positions in the healthcare field.
• 5 years of healthcare leadership experience in a rural setting, as appropriate (preferred).
• Broad knowledge and understanding of trends and changes taking place in healthcare and the implications of those changes.
• Record of forming, implementing and executing a strategic plan for an organization focused on growth.
• Knowledge of working within integrated health systems and a track record of successful relationships with the integration of employed and private physicians.
• Knowledge of managing the day-to-day financial operations of multiple location delivery systems.
• Understanding of local integrated delivery systems and of a large, multi-site health system.
   

Professional & Leadership Capabilities

• Personal values consistent with those of Providence Health and Services.
• Comfortable administering in a Catholic sponsored organization.
• Ability to lead complex organizations through a transition process.
• Problem-solver who involves others in key decisions but assures timely decisions.
• Ability to educate others about the process of change and the necessity of change.
• Ability to establish relationships with diverse groups, strong communication, and good listening skills.
• Ability to articulate and demonstrate the Mission, Vision, and Core Values to employees, physicians, and other providers and groups.
• Ability to work on a team, providing direction and leadership for the facility.
• Ability to focus and energize a group in pursuit of present and future goals.
• Exhibits the ability to integrate thought, values and action in seizing opportunity and taking calculated risks to attain superior performance and outcomes.
• Ability to develop and manage diverse, effective teams to achieve optimal results, with indirect supervision of frontline managers and supervisors.
• Ability to ensure that continuous improvement occurs on the team and within the organization.
• Demonstrates personal and interpersonal qualities that engender confidence, trust, credibility and a positive regard by others as someone who is reliable.
   

Collaboration and Influence

• The executive must be able to build strong and enduring relationships across the organization and facilitate collaborations, transparent communications, and alignment between diverse constituents.
• Must have the ability to move seamlessly between various stakeholders, gaining support for key initiatives.
• Negotiates with a genuine give-and-take approach, where parties act as true peers and decisions are shared.
• Spends time identifying all stakeholders necessary and meeting or connecting with all of them, neglecting no one to shape a collective consensus.
• Identifies opportunities to build relationships that will help others achieve their objectives and reaches out to those people or new people.
   

Driving Results

• Ensures that the patient/customer perspective is the driving force behind business decisions and activities.
• Makes patients, caregivers, and guest/family safety a personal priority.
• Creates and promotes a just culture that encourages the reporting of errors and near misses; stands up for those who speak up for safety.
• Applies improvement methods to improve the patient experience of care, improve the health of populations, and reduce the per-capita cost of healthcare.
• Knows how to get things done in the organization; successfully mobilizes people, processes, culture, and technology.
• Effectively navigates relationships and organizational politics within a matrixed organization.
   

Inspirational Leader

• Inspires the organization around its common mission and values while also celebrating its distinctive heritages.
• Weaves social accountability, community orientation and stewardship principles into sound business practices.
• Promotes an environment of hope, healing and hospitality with words and actions.
• Demonstrates emotionally intelligent leadership and interactions.
• Courageously communicates and inspires an ever-evolving and changing organization.
• Is action-oriented; consciously and effectively urges others toward the goal.
   

People Focused

• Clearly sets direction and expectations for direct reports and holds them accountable for results.
• Provides feedback and coaching to both good performers and underperformers.
• Is aware of caregivers' career goals and provides developmental coaching to support them.
• Fosters a learning environment for caregivers, expressing confidence in their ability to excel, maintaining their self-esteem, empathizing, involving them and disclosing their own position.
• Demonstrates the value of diversity and inclusion in leadership efforts.
• Works effectively with various groups of people, teams and organizational functions.
• Gains win-win agreements and settles disputes across the organization.
• Leads change with confidence and calm, motivating others to engage when appropriate.
• Adjusts personal leadership and communication style to influence with respect.
• Creates a climate of trust where people are engaged, committed, and motivated to do their best.
   

Thought Leader

• Knowledgeable about current business and healthcare practices.
• Capable of critical operational and financial analytics.
• Leverages best business practices to solve problems.
• Integrates multiple business and societal perspectives when constructing strategies.
• Leverages strategies that grow and develop the organization.
• Contributes successfully to community wellness and population health issues.
• Stays on top of emerging business and healthcare trends.
• Thinks innovatively and facilitates creativity in others.
• Is mentally agile and thinks well on their feet.

Why Join Us?

• Executive Leadership Opportunity: Serve as the key operational leader for a Providence Alaska ministry and member of the Alaska Service Area Executive Team.
• Broad Operational Scope: Provide strategic and operational oversight for medical center, financial performance, quality, safety, caregiver engagement, and patient experience.
• Community & Stakeholder Impact: Build partnerships with community leaders, physicians, government officials, advisory boards, and health system partners to support community health and long-term organizational success.
• Mission-Driven Leadership: Help advance Providence's Mission, Values, and commitment to high-quality, accessible, and sustainable healthcare across Alaska.

Ready to Shape the Future of Healthcare?

If you are a mission-driven healthcare executive with experience leading complex organizations, driving operational excellence, building strategic partnerships, and advancing community health, we encourage you to apply and help lead the future of care across Providence Alaska.

The full pay range is listed in accordance with applicable law. Final compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, organizational compensation alignment, and the approved hiring department budget for the position. This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation and benefits.

At Providence we believe in the importance of human connection and the impact of in-person collaboration towards team cohesion and caregiver engagement. Further, we want our leaders to live in or near the communities we serve.  Therefore, leaders applying for this role will be required to work a hybrid schedule, which consists of three days onsite, two days remote and live within a reasonable commuting distance to the ministry or service area they support and lead.