Healthcare Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Job Description Template

A healthcare chief executive officer (CEO) is the highest-ranking executive in a medical organization. They can work in settings ranging from health systems and hospitals to clinics and long-term care facilities. The person in this position has a high degree of influence over business functions and ensures the chief operating officer (COO) executes their plans and guidance, so it’s essential to create a quality healthcare CEO job description if you need to fill this role in your facility.

We know that selecting a leader for your organization is a weighty choice, so we’ve crafted this job description template to help you attract a solid list of qualified applicants. Adapt this template to reflect the specific goals of your organization. In fact, this template could be easily adapted to become a president and chief executive officer job description if that’s what your facility needs. To be extra prepared for your hiring process, you can also draft your template alongside a list of thoughtful interview questions.

Healthcare CEO

Tips: Leave a strong first impression with your healthcare CEO job description by highlighting what makes your organization great: values, culture, awards, accomplishments, and anything else that sets you apart. Candidates will be more interested in an organization that communicates a clear and compelling identity, so take the time to make this section shine. If you haven’t already done so, use this opportunity to shore up your online marketing efforts.

Then, provide a concise description of the role, including an overview of the position and the work environment. It’s a good idea to explain the type of care provided and a general description of the scale of your organization’s corporate governance to give candidates a clear idea of their supervisory responsibility. The CEO of a hospital often relocates to start a new position, so describe local attractions, transportation options, and any other interesting features.

Template:

In business for over 60 years, [Facility name] has become a leading expert in the healthcare industry. We are committed to expanding our reach through new developments and strengthening our operations to deliver the best patient care possible.

We are looking for a chief executive officer who can help us drive our mission forward. This individual will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of our organization and developing relationships with healthcare partners. If you have a genuine passion for driving growth and success in the healthcare space, we’d love to hear from you.

Chief Executive Officer Benefits

Tips: The next part of your healthcare CEO job description should get your reader excited about what your organization has to offer. Outline the benefits of the role to give the candidates even more reason to apply. Remember that listed benefits must align with your company policy, so check with your human resources department before posting.

Template:

• Sign-on bonuses
• Retirement plans: 401(k), pension, or stock options
• Medical coverage for employee and dependents
• Generous PTO
• Performance-based bonuses
• Relocation assistance
• Work flexibility: hybrid or flexible work schedule
• Life insurance policy
• Continuing education: executive education programs, conferences, or seminars

Healthcare CEO Responsibilities

Tips: Use this section to give a more precise explanation of the duties your organization expects its CEO to perform. As you craft this section, consider the 5 roles that a CEO of a hospital typically carries out and how the responsibilities outlined will contribute to your organization’s long-term success. List the most important job functions first and use action-oriented language.

Template:

• Oversee operations of all departments: healthcare services, finance, human resources, facility operations, and others
• Develop, implement, and evaluate the organization’s business strategies
• Facilitate communication among stakeholders: board members, staff, patients, and community leaders
• Clearly communicate the organizational mission and build strategic partnerships
• Evaluate financial performance areas for revenue growth
• Hire and manage senior-level executives aligned with organizational values
• Ensure compliance with healthcare, financial, and staffing laws and regulations
• Stay current on trends: attend conferences, network with peers, and review industry publications

Chief Executive Officer Compensation

Tips: Now that candidates have a good idea of what will be expected, it’s time to explain compensation. If possible, include a salary range to save yourself time in the hiring process with candidates whose pay requirements differ from what your organization can offer. Make sure to mention any additional pay information, such as performance-based bonuses, pay schedules, or scheduling flexibility.

Template:

• CEO salary range: $200k-400k per year (experience-dependent)
• Annual performance-based bonus
• Weekly or bi-weekly pay periods
• Hybrid or flexible scheduling availability

Healthcare CEO Qualifications

Tips: The next step is to share what you’re looking for in an ideal candidate. This may include things like hospital CEO education requirements or previous leadership experiences. Keep in mind that some candidates may not apply if they don’t check every box, so only list requirements essential for the role. Clearly label any nonessential qualifications as “preferred” in your healthcare CEO job description if you think including them would be advantageous.

Template:

• Ability to solve problems and resolve conflict in a complex environment
• Superior leadership skills transferable to a variety of professional settings
• Commitment to developing a culturally competent healthcare organization
• In-depth understanding of federal healthcare regulations and guidelines required
• Prioritization of quality assurance initiatives to improve quality of care
• Professional experience in a clinical setting preferred
• Demonstrated administrative expertise in a small or medium size healthcare organization preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or equivalent experience required
• MBA or equivalent preferred
• Membership in American College of Healthcare Executives preferred

Call to Action

Tips: Up to this point, you’ve convinced qualified candidates that leading your organization would be rewarding. The last step is to tell them how to submit an application: on your website, through a form on a job board, or over email. Use clear and concise language to make the application process as accessible as possible.

Template:

Are you the committed leader we’re looking for? Take the next step by visiting our company website and submitting your application today.

Need More Than Just a CEO? We Can Help You Build a Team

Creating a healthcare CEO job description is likely just one of many objectives your facility has on its to-do list. We know how quickly open shifts can add up, making recruitment a constant challenge. Find out how IntelyCare’s job board can help you attract a wider pool of healthcare professionals today.