Executive Director - Public Health, EMS, and Healthcare Administration

Overview

Galveston County Health District (GCHD) is seeking an Executive Director to lead one of the Texas Gulf Coast's most comprehensive public health organizations. Serving Galveston County and its thirteen member cities, GCHD delivers essential services across three areas: traditional public health, a Federally Qualified Health Center (Coastal Health & Wellness), and the county's largest EMS provider (Galveston Area Ambulance Authority).

Reporting to the United Board of Health, the Executive Director holds full responsibility for the organization's operations, strategy, and roughly 251 employees. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone ready to establish clear standards, strengthen accountability, and build a high-performance, professional culture.

The Board is looking for a firm, structured leader with strong financial judgment, high integrity, and the backbone to set expectations, make difficult decisions, and align the organization to a shared direction. If you lead through consistency and earn trust by following through, this is a rare opportunity to shape both an organization and a community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and administration across all GCHD operations, including clinical service delivery, public health programs, and EMS.
• Lead strategic planning and policy development in line with the organization's Strategic Health Plan and Board direction.
• Establish clear operational standards, budget discipline, and accountability across all divisions.
• Lead organizational restructuring, including assessment of divisional leadership, pay structures, and departmental operations.
• Direct grant strategy and applications to federal, state, and private funders, with particular emphasis on HRSA, and manage all funding-agency reporting.
• Oversee compliance, fiscal operations, and program performance, including HRSA requirements and health clinic quality standards.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, local governments, and underserved communities.
• Lead public health preparedness and disaster response.
• Partner with and support the United Board of Health on governance and reporting.
  
  

Requirements

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Required Qualifications

One of the following:

• Master's degree in Public Health Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field, plus 5+ years of managerial experience in a health services organization; or
• Bachelor's degree in a business or administrative field, plus 7+ years of managerial experience in a health services organization.

An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Demonstrated knowledge of HRSA programs, requirements, funding mechanisms, and sub-grant management.
• Experience preparing and submitting grant applications to federal, state, and private funders, and reporting to funding agencies.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, including the ability to review and validate budgets, grant formulas, and funding allocations.
• Demonstrated change leadership: setting standards, holding teams accountable, and strengthening organizational culture.
• Demonstrated experience addressing community and public health issues.
• Outstanding communication skills, high ethical standards, and a commitment to HIPAA and confidentiality.
• Valid Texas driver's license, or the ability to obtain one upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressive executive management within a public health or community health center organization.

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• Direct experience overseeing outpatient clinics or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operations.
• Compliance and fiscal oversight experience, particularly with HRSA or similar federal programs.
• Nonprofit or government healthcare operations background.
• Familiarity with IT governance and organizational cybersecurity oversight.

Reporting and Team

The Executive Director reports directly to the United Board of Health and leads an executive team spanning Public Health, Nursing, Coastal Health & Wellness, the Galveston Area Ambulance Authority, Finance, Grants, HR, and Communications. The role is supported by an Assistant Executive Director.

Benefits

Salary: $200,000 to $220,000, commensurate with experience.

Pension: True defined-benefit pension plan with 100% employer match and lifetime monthly payment (8-year vesting).

Health: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

No-cost access to Coastal Health & Wellness clinics for employees.

Relocation assistance available for out-of-area candidates (receipt-based reimbursement, typically capped at $10,000).

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