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UnityPoint Health is seeking a strategic and relationship-focused leader to serve as Executive Director – Rural Health Partnerships. This role is responsible for developing, leading, and sustaining partnerships that strengthen access to high-quality, financially sustainable healthcare across rural communities.

Serving as the primary leader for rural affiliation strategy, partnership performance, and relationship management, the Executive Director works closely with rural hospital CEOs, boards, physicians, and community stakeholders to advance shared clinical, operational, and financial goals. This individual will help shape the future of rural healthcare by identifying growth opportunities, supporting innovative models of care, and ensuring rural partners remain connected to the resources, expertise, and services of a leading integrated health system.

The ideal candidate brings experience in hospital operations, rural healthcare, board and physician relations, and strategic partnership development, along with a passion for improving the health and well-being of rural communities.

UnityPoint Health is open to candidates located throughout our footprint. This role offers a hybrid work arrangement and will include travel to rural partner organizations, hospitals, and communities across the region.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:   

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.  

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

• Lead the development and execution of UnityPoint Health's rural partnership strategy, identifying opportunities to strengthen access, improve sustainability, and expand services across rural communities.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with rural hospital CEOs, executive teams, boards, physicians, and community stakeholders, serving as a trusted advisor and strategic partner.

• Evaluate, structure, and support new affiliations, collaborations, and partnership opportunities that align with organizational goals and community needs.

• Collaborate with clinical, operational, and service line leaders to align resources, care models, quality initiatives, workforce strategies, and performance improvement efforts across rural partners.

• Monitor partnership performance, including financial, operational, quality, and access metrics, while identifying opportunities for growth, improvement, and long-term sustainability.

• Support rural partners in navigating reimbursement challenges, cost management strategies, grant opportunities, and evolving payment models.

• Advance innovative models of care, including hub-and-spoke networks, virtual health services, shared staffing models, and specialty care access initiatives.

• Represent UnityPoint Health within rural communities and with external organizations, advocating for rural health priorities and fostering collaborative partnerships.

• Lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment while driving accountability, engagement, and successful execution of strategic initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in acute care hospital operations.

• 3+ years of leadership experience at the Director level or above.

• Experience working closely with hospital leadership teams, medical staff, and physicians.

• Experience partnering with governing boards, community stakeholders, and external organizations.

• Experience in a rural healthcare environment.

• Strong knowledge of hospital operations, healthcare finance, strategic planning, and healthcare delivery models.

• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, drive change, and align diverse stakeholders around a common vision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Membership or Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

• Experience leading rural affiliation strategies, partnership development, or healthcare network expansion initiatives.

• Experience working within an integrated health system or multi-site healthcare organization.

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