Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive OfficerUnity Care NW (UCNW) is seeking a mission-centered, collaborative and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead a dynamic, multi-service community health organization dedicated to increasing the years of healthy life in the people and communities we serve.Established in 1982, Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to serving Whatcom County, Washington. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services. Employing over 300 caring and compassionate employees, our vision is that everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.UCNW values cross-organizational collaboration and innovation. UCNW staff strive to demonstrate our values in the workplace with one another and in all aspects of patient care.

Our team of highly talented, mission-oriented individuals is deeply committed to serving with compassion and excellence.UCNW is seeking a leader who can build on our strong foundation of clinical excellence and community trust. In addition to the qualifications below, the ideal candidate would embody:Mission-Driven Leadership: A deep, personal commitment to the community health model and the community we serve.Empathetic Excellence: Someone who leads with heart, values our staff's expertise, and fosters a culture of belonging.Strategic Vision: The ability to navigate a changing healthcare landscape while ensuring our long-term sustainability and growth.Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO provides purposeful leadership to advance the health center's whole-person primary care, including medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services. The CEO drives long-term strategy, financial stability and regulatory compliance through cultivating high-performing leadership teams, and championing innovation in community-based care delivery.This leader will serve as the public face of UCNW – building trusted relationships with community partners, policymakers, funders, and healthcare collaborators at the local, state, and national levels. The ideal candidate brings deep healthcare leadership experience, strong financial and operational acumen, and a demonstrated commitment to community-centered care.Minimum Qualifications:Advanced degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)Minimum 5 years of progressive senior management experience in a healthcare settingExperience in larger scale organizational leadership with ability to articulate a strategic vision, empower teams and execute an implementation plan over timeStrong financial management and budget oversight experienceKnowledge of healthcare regulatory compliance requirementsExceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skillsUnity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff.

The program requires all new employees to have up-to-date vaccines for influenza and strongly encourages up-to-date vaccines for COVID-19. More information about this program is provided throughout the recruitment process.Our community is consistently rated as one of the most desirable in the USA! Nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains just a short distance from Seattle, Vancouver BC, and the San Juan Islands, Bellingham is home to over 97,000 people, and surrounded by several charming small towns. Whatcom County, the UCNW service area, has a population of 236,000 people.The area features strong K-12 public schools and Western Washington University, which adds a distinct collegiate character to the city.

Local institutions like Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, and Northwest Indian College provide valuable allied health training programs.