Executive Director for Cougar Health Services
Washington State University, a top research university in Pullman, WA, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its next Executive Director for Cougar Health Services. This is an on-site leadership role.
Washington State University is a public research university dedicated to improving lives by serving the public good. For more than 130 years, WSU has strived to unlock possibilities by empowering students, faculty, and others to create a world where all people can thrive. In that spirit, the university community welcomes scholars from around the globe and prioritizes equitable opportunities for all.
The oldest (founded 1890) and largest campus, WSU Pullman, is in southeastern Washington. The flagship residential campus features beautiful grounds, state-of-the-art facilities, Pac-12 sports, leading research programs, and a student experience offering nearly unlimited opportunities.
The executive director (ED) provides strategic leadership and financial and budgetary management of Cougar Health Services (CHS) by providing administrative oversight of services at the Pullman campus. The ED is directly responsible for the medical clinic, vision clinic, and pharmacy while closely partnering with counseling and psychological services and health education to provide a holistic and integrative approach to student health. As a leader within the division of student affairs, the ED will assess, evaluate, create, oversee, and administer the delivery of innovative and high-quality medical care and collaborate in the development of programs that improve student’s well-being. Additionally, the ED will work with student advisory groups and university stakeholders to successfully manage student health insurance programs. The CHS portfolio has approximately 50 employees, including a talented, multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals and support staff. The ED supervises the medical director, assistant director of medical services and scheduling, vision clinic manager, and manager of pharmacy services and is directly responsible for the CHS annual budget of $7.5 million.
$190K - $215K
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and eight years of progressively responsible, relevant experience, which includes at least three years of managerial experience. In addition, the ED will have five years of relevant experience in campus health, counseling, health promotion, or comparable ambulatory health care facilities, four years of supervisory experience, two of which must be in a health care or public health environment, and a commitment to equity and inclusion in the workplace and the campus community. The next ED must have demonstrated experience as an outstanding leader with conflict resolution, decision-making, and implementation skills; excellent interpersonal communications skills; experience with the developmental needs of university/college students; and the ability to work effectively with an increasingly diverse student population. Knowledge of and direct experience in college health, college mental health, or closely related areas of healthcare practice and administration; strong experience in community or public health training, preventive services, quality management; and experience with effective budget management are all required of the next ED.
A master’s or doctoral degree in health administration, public or community health, business or public administration, psychology, or a related field, or a medical degree may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Education and experience can be tailored to the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
Preferred qualifications include two years of professional experience leading a college student health services or counseling center; demonstrated commitment to outstanding healthcare in higher education and record of innovation in healthcare delivery; demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal and Washington state laws and ethical guidelines pertinent to health care delivery and promotion, including HIPAA, HITECH, and FERPA; and knowledge of integrated care and openness to working within an integrated model. Other preferred attributes are a thorough understanding of accounting and budgetary procedures and personnel management in the healthcare environment; knowledge of health promotion practices and strategies, awareness, bystander intervention, risk reductions, and policy and law requirements; knowledge of privacy laws and mandatory reporting requirements and demonstrated commitment to learning Washington state-specific requirements; and experience with assessment, program review, quality assurance, and accreditation issues pertinent to health and counseling centers. An understanding of disability issues and laws related to accommodations in a workplace setting; experience with advising and administering a student health plan; and demonstrated strong organizational and communication skills are all preferred qualifications for the next ED.
In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:
• Demonstrated commitment to a strong collaborative style and capacity to build bridges to departments, faculty, students, and the community to facilitate open discussions and joint ventures, advancing a holistic approach to student health and student success.
• A visionary leader who can inspire and encourage staff, challenge the status quo, and create buy-in for departmental and university goals.
• Ability to think strategically, solve problems, and provide a compelling vision while leading CHS in a manner that ensures student care, efficient operations, and a positive climate and culture for a diverse staff.
• Experience working with diverse populations and a commitment to all students’ health, wellness, and academic success.
• A dynamic, authentic leader who is a good listener, open-minded, team-oriented, and willing to advocate for staff, their programs, and needs with the ability to effectively balance the clinical and administrative needs of the organization.
• Serve as a strong advocate and public “face” for health services throughout the WSU community.
Application and Nomination
Washington State University has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin February 21, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://apptrkr.com/5953128
• Contact Heather Larabee at hjl@spelmanjohnson.com for confidential inquiries.
• Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
Visit Washington State University’s website at https://wsu.edu/.
Washington State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
WSU is committed to excellence through diversity, has faculty friendly policies including a partner accommodation program, and a NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant (see www.excelinse.wsu.edu/).
WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Washington State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.