Chief Executive Officer

The Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance (the “Alliance”) is recruiting for a Chief Executive Officer to fill the position vacated by the retirement of the current CEO who had been in the position for 12 years. The Alliance represents a range of home health and hospice providers in the state, as well as hospital-based palliative care programs, and  provided services in the area of Education, Advocacy, and Member Benefits.

The position requires a person with the right qualifications who is prepared to take a successful, organization and provide leadership in a time of considerable change in the competitive, regulatory, and reimbursement environment of member organizations. 

The position is intended to be hybrid. Routine travel is not required, however, there is an expected travel requirement to conferences, etc. to represent the Alliance. 

The Organization

The Alliance is based in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire, in close proximity to the State legislature and other health care industry associations with which it shares strong relationships.

The Alliance is a membership organization which enhances the ability of agencies providing home health care to deliver quality services to New Hampshire residents. The Alliance conducts this mission through education, advocacy, networking, leadership and community engagement.

The Alliance, founded in 1974, represents over 50 member organizations which are licensed in the State of New Hampshire to provide home health, hospice, non-medical home services or palliative care. Affiliate membership is available to organizations doing business with or having an interest in home health, hospice or palliative care. The Alliance also has a small number of individual memberships. The membership represents the majority of Medicare-certified home health and hospice agencies, several large social service areas, and a growing number of non-certified agencies. The Association is a 501(c)(3) organization. An affiliate organization, Granite State Home Health  & Hospice Association is a 501(c)(6), formed in 1997 for the purpose of conducting legislative advocacy activities on home care and related concerns on behalf of providers, caregivers and consumers. The CEO of the Alliance also serves as the CEO of Granite State Home Health. The membership in both organizations is identical.

The Alliance is governed by an 11 - 15 member board of directors and several committees including executive, finance, and governance committees.  The Alliance has an approximately $595K budget. In addition to the CEO there are 2 other staff all reporting to the CEO: Communications Manager (0.5 FTE) and Education Manager (0.5FTE), The Alliance is in a favorable financial position, owns the building it occupies and receives rental income from a single tenant. Membership dues comprise approximately 60% of the revenues of the Alliance.

Current legislative and regulatory priorities include:

• Access to community-based care
• Reimbursement for home-based and palliative care services (Medicaid and Medicare)
• Employment and management practices
• Privacy of health information
• Government regulation and licensure

The Alliance works in collaboration with other organizations. This includes working with NH-based health stakeholders on public policy issues. The Alliance also collaborates with the home care associations in the other New England states to offer annual regional conferences.

The Association provides a range of high-quality educational programs for members, both on-site and through distance learning modalities. This includes an annual Fall Hospice & Palliative Care Conference,  Blueprint for OASIS Accuracy workshop, leadership training, the Northeast Home Health Leadership Summit, and the New England Home Care & Hospice Conference and Trade Show. The Alliance also provides free dementia training for members to comply with NH’s dementia training law. Education services contribute approximately 23% of the annual revenues of the Alliance.

The Alliance offers a successful Workers Compensation Insurance Group Program that provides members with discounted premiums and the potential for dividend rebates  This is in collaboration with USI and AmTrust. This program is a valuable member benefit and source of non-dues revenue. The CEO supports this program through active outreach and marketing to members.

The Chief Executive Officer Role: Responsibilities and Challenges

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer is accountable for the effective administration for the Alliance personnel and programs in accordance with Alliance’s mission, bylaws, policies, and objectives. The CEO is the chief administrative officer with authority to exercise and implement administrative control over the Alliance’s resources and programs while adhering to the Board-approved policies and budgetary guidelines.

The CEO ensures open and timely communications with the Board of Directors and/or its officers, attends all board meetings and provides them with a monthly report of the Associations’ activities and programs.  As ex officio of the Board and Standing Committees, actively participates and facilitates their activity.

Specific Responsibilities:

Planning and Development

1. Assures that the Association has a current strategic plan and works with the Board and committees on the planning of activities to formulate such plans and actively participates in the plan development; drafts annual operating plans to achieve the plan objectives; monitors progress toward goals.
2. Implements Board-approved policies and executes action plans adopted by the Board.  Keeps the Board informed of the progress toward meeting strategic objectives.
3. Forecasts long-range trends, expectations, needs and availability of resources
4. Foresees and acts upon opportunities for growth and development of the Association and charts course in goal achievement.

Administration of the Association (including Board and Committee Support)

1. Coordinates the activities of the Board, Committees and task forces, including administrative support and working with chairpersons to assure that stated objectives are met.
2. Recruits, hires, develops, supervises and evaluates staff required to carry out the activities and programs of the Association as established by the Board.
3. Secures the financial health of the Association by developing non-dues revenue sources. Prepares proposals and negotiates contracts for Board action.
4. Manages the financial affairs of the Association including preparation of the annual budget and oversight of  finances and the annual audit.
5. Manages the operations of the Alliance, including human resource functions, insurance, contracts, property, and equipment.

Membership and Member Benefits

1. Develops and monitors an effective program of membership recruitment and retention.
2. Identifies and responds to membership needs, in accordance with priorities established in the strategic plan.
3. Plans and coordinates revenue generating education programs to benefit the membership.
4. Plans and executes an effective marketing plan for Association audiences 
5. Oversees annual data and compensation surveys.
6. Maintains open and regular communication with membership, through meetings, written communications, and personal visits.
7. Supports the functioning of productive affinity groups.

 External Affairs

1. Maintains an effective government affairs program, which clearly presents the interest of the Membership to the US Congress, NH State Legislature, government agencies and others as appropriate
2. Monitors pending state legislation, fosters proactive participation on the part of the membership and participates in hearings to testify on behalf of the Association members.  Directs, supervises and evaluates the activities of the Association’s contract lobbyist.
3. Recommends policies and positions concerning pending state legislation and/or positions taken by the state governmental departments to the Legislative Committee or Board for action
4. Represents the Association at hearings, meetings, and other functions.  Actively promotes the positions of the membership to policy makers and responds to the media as appropriate.
5. Coordinates activities and communicates the industry perspective to other associations and groups. 
6. Pursues positive productive relationships with related groups and others of importance to the industry.

Initial Expectations:

In the first 12 months, it is expected the CEO will:

1. Create a smooth transition and maintain continuity of services, programs, and communication.
2. Provide leadership and gain confidence of the Board, staff, and the Alliance’s stakeholders.
3. Work with the Board to continue to implement strategic objectives .
4. Continue to influence public policy toward the advancement of the members’ priorities.
5. Advocate for advantageous positions for home health, hospice and palliative care within the health care industry.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in Health Administration, Business or related field
• Five to 10 years in a senior management position
• Experience in health care and association management
• Understanding of the legislative and political process, preferably in New Hampshire
• Demonstrated ability to work with a volunteer Board of Directors
• Demonstrated skills as a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, persuasive communicator, and motivator of people

Personal Attributes:

• Effective communicator across a variety of mediums 
• Honesty and fairness
• Integrity
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Assertiveness