Chief Executive Officer

Bellingham, wa

North Sound Accountable Community of Health (North Sound ACH) is an independent nonprofit organization committed to building vibrant and healthy communities, places where all can live full lives. We convene diverse individuals and organizations to foster meaningful community-led collaboration leading to equitable well-being, fewer people suffering and struggling and more people thriving.

North Sound ACH was founded in 2015 to be a place where collaborative learning, planning, and decision-making could occur, crossing traditional jurisdictional boundaries, and looking upstream to tackle issues that impact health, believing that people in the region are more connected than they are separate. Advancing equity, well-being and a sense of belonging are fundamental elements of the regional work, using the framework of targeted universalism to shape and inform planning, actions, decision-making, and investment.

The North Sound region is home to more than one million people who live in Island, San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties — urban and rural settings spanning from mountains to islands in the Salish Sea, sitting on the traditional homelands of eight Tribal nations who have inhabited this land since time immemorial: Lummi Nation, Nooksack Tribe, Upper Skagit Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Tulalip Tribes, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe.

THE ROLE

The Chief Executive Officer is a strategic and multi-faceted leader who co-creates the organizational vision and facilitates the re-imaging of current health and social care systems. The CEO ensures the organization is working to meet urgent needs and reduces barriers to well-being for individuals and groups who face systemic inequities within the North Sound region. This is accomplished by investing in policies and programs that address and dismantle the historic and systemic barriers to equitable well-being. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports directly to the Board of Directors which partners with the CEO to develop and drive forward the key strategies of the organization. The CEO will directly supervise members of the c-suite, which currently includes the Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Transformation Officer (CTO), and Chief Equity Officer (CEqO). The CEO manages and provides operational oversight to contracted supports in the areas of finance and human resources.

In conjunction with the COO, the CEO will contribute to and support operational administrative functions of the organization. This includes but is not limited to the creation and implementation of policies and procedures, overall organizational design/structure, and operational controls, ensuring compliance and sustainability.

In conjunction with the CTO, the CEO will contribute to and support initiatives that transform methods for clinical and community service delivery in the North Sound region.

In conjunction with the CEqO, the CEO will contribute to and co-lead the implementation of regional DEIB strategies, and internal practices that model emerging practices that align with equity, belonging and leading with love. This work will be responsive to real-time needs, as well as keep long-term visions in mind.

RESPONSIBILITIES

ORGANIZATIONAL AND SYSTEM LEADERSHIP

Serves as the primary liaison with state agencies and partners, including WA Health Care Authority, WA Department of Health, Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, and other state, regional and local entities, ACHs and partners.
Assures that the organization upholds its commitment to tribal sovereignty, deepening relationships with each of the eight tribal nations who have traditional homelands in the North Sound region.
Provides collaborative leadership as a member of the WA Coalition of ACHs, a 501c6 formed to foster the work of Washington’s nine ACH regions.
Represents the organization’s vision of equitable well-being with local, regional, state and federal partners, providers, and stakeholders, advocating for a path to help North Sound ACH and its partners meet defined goals.
Actively leads and contributes to systems innovation as guided by the Medicaid 2.0 waiver across Washington state.
Ensures that regional investments are well coordinated to ensure measurable improvement in well-being—at a population-wide level, and for historically marginalized groups.
Oversees strategic and operational processes for North Sound ACH’s internal and external system transformation efforts.
Advises the COO, CTO and CEqO on the implementation of strategies that improve internal operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Ensures the region is benefiting from initiatives that have a short-term improvement while implementing ideas that have long-term, transformational effects.

FISCAL HEALTH & INTEGRITY

Leads and oversees the development of short-and-long term financial plans, including budget development, investment strategies and staffing plans.

Identifies and pursues opportunities that will support sustainability and increased community impact.

Ensure that the organization’s financial resources and assets are managed according to the guidelines set by the Board and in compliance with accepted accounting standards and current laws and regulations.

Expertly brokers and negotiates new partnerships or makes changes to existing partnerships which tap into the value proposition of the organization.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Oversees the creation of organization wide policies and procedures, ensuring agency compliance with all federal, state and local employment laws and regulations.

Is a visible champion, and actively contributes to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment.

Leads efforts to ensure comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits systems

Engages in developing strategic plans to attract, support, and retain values aligned employees.

Participates in the creation and implementation of employee performance and development programs.

CULTURE

North Sound ACH is deeply committed to building an ecosystem that delivers professional growth through meaningful work, honest feedback, and a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. All team members, are naturally aligned with our core values and mission, and strive to possess the following:

Commitment to Equity: Work to advance equity, racial and social justice.
Leadership: Lead by example, maintain professionalism, and leverage communication strategies to promote effective organization change and culture development.
Teamwork: Work effectively and respectfully with staff, stakeholders, and community.
Efficiency: Manage and prioritize multiple projects, tasks and execute deliverables on time, within scope and budget.
Dependability: Demonstrate responsive and responsible behavior in a fast-paced setting.
Integrity: Earn the trust, respect, and confidence of co-workers, stakeholders, and community, through honest, forthright, and professional interactions and respect.
Self-awareness and self-management: Demonstrated commitment to continuous self-learning, reflection, and growth, especially related to the development of strong equity, diverse teams, and modeling this approach with others.
Proactive problem solving: Proactively develop solutions to challenges, including by constantly looking at big-picture progress on the programs team, and by flagging any potential upcoming challenges in the organization overall.
Serving as an ambassador for the North Sound ACH: Acts as spokesperson and public presence for North Sound ACH and its community initiatives.

SKILLS & CoMPETENCIES

The following skills and competencies reflect the nature of our work, which is collaborative, and inclusive. A successful CEO is an individual who is a visionary, a change agent, and can support tacticle work within the organization, the region, and the larger ACH system. A successful CEO will have a proven track record modeling and supporting the develop of:

Inclusive leadership and management: Brings a clear vision and recognizes the value of divergent perspectives. Approaches leadership with a mindset of “power with” rather than “power over” and regularly includes others in planning and decision-making. Applies best practices in equitable management, translates equity and inclusion into plans for staff development, retention, strategy, and improving culture.
Clarity of vision: Routinely provides clear and authentic vision that will speak to the hearts and minds of the staff responsible for the work and show them the path to realize it. Formulates and directs policies and sets strategies for the organization and promotes the organization culture and community impact.
Attentive, empathetic leadership: Enthusiasm for meeting and engaging with people. Empathizes with the communities we serve. Listens closely to understand needs or concerns and takes steps based on that input. Takes pride in providing clear, helpful information. Actively engages with staff throughout the organization to promote a values-driven culture and organizational cohesion.
Participates in staff development: Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; facilitates staff training; manages employee relations staff performance and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; and provides advice and counsel to staff on establishing professional growth and development plans for staff.
Entrepreneurial and resourceful: Consistently overcomes challenges and leverages resources to creatively solve problems. Proposes solutions to issues without much guidance (but isn’t afraid to ask questions). Proactively asks for help, anticipates problems, and course-corrects where needed.
Proven ability to develop and lead high-functioning teams: Create ambitious and clear visions that allow for development of SMARTIE (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Timebound, Inclusive and Equity-based) goals toward driving impact.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 7 years of experience leading teams and supporting the performance and development of supervisory staff.
Minimum of 7 years in facilitating cross-sector planning with diverse stakeholders in politically complex environments to incubate new coalitions or alliances, and manage multiple, competing interests to reach shared goals.
Has a strong understanding of federal and state health policies and roles of state and federal agencies in planning, implementing and funding new initiatives.
Has a strong knowledge of health systems and social services delivery systems, with a focus on leading work that mitigates risks for health and social system users and the organizations providing care and services.
Change management competency: Experience in change management best practices and implementation required, to include competence around human behavioral change required for long lasting organizational change. Ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities; adapts quickly as things change.
Competency in technology and online collaboration tools: Advanced experience with MS Office suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite (including Google Docs, Spreadsheets, and Drive), Zoom and other online virtual meeting tools along with ability and desire to learn new applications.
Advanced degree from an accredited college or university in business, health education, public health, health administration, or a related field. Experience directly related to the essential job functions listed may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The 2025 salary range for this role is $166,747- $225,599. Employees are provided with the following resources, care, and support to do and be the best while working as a part of the North Sound ACH:

Flexible work model – North Sound ACH is primarily remote, and this role requires travel to in-person internal and external meetings on a weekly basis, requiring overnight stays at times
Remote work stipend for internet and utilities used at remote location
Employee Assistance Program
Professional development support
Paid time off: 30 days (combination of vacation, sick and holiday)
Healthcare Insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
401k Retirement plan with employer match

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about this position, please contact Nicole Leckband at nicole@diversityrecruiters.com. Otherwise, please complete the form below.

North Sound ACH does not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, or physical or mental disability. To strengthen our team, candidates from across the North Sound region and from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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