Chief Executive Officer, DC Primary Care Association

Location: Washington, DC region, hybrid work environment

Compensation target: $250,000 

About the DC Primary Care Association

Since 1996, The DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA) has set the course for high-quality, sustainable, accessible primary health care for all in the District of Columbia.  More than ever before, primary care is at the heart of the effort to rewrite the District’s health story, and the survival and success of community health centers remain critical to a successful and thriving city.  

Since its founding, DCPCA has been at the forefront of strengthening the District’s primary care system, including an integral role in managing, hosting, and delivering much of the system’s health IT.  Through numerous advocacy efforts and resource development programs, DCPCA has expanded and improved primary health care services for residents. DCPCA works towards its vision of collective action and innovation that fosters the creation of an integrated health system that: centers racial and health equity, respects and embraces people throughout the continuum of care, empowers patients to be fully engaged in their health and well-being, is value-based and patient-centered, and commits to achieving optimal levels of health for all.

DCPCA has a thriving, committed staff of 25 and an organizational budget of $9 million.  The DCPCA membership includes 15 community health centers and other community-based organizations, with nearly 60 healthcare delivery sites that serve approximately one out of every three District residents.  The work of the DCPCA is focused in the District of Columbia, and as the DCPCA aspires for improved local community health outcomes, the staff seek out partnerships with other regional and national organizations that engage in similar work. 
 

About the DC Connected Care Network

One of the strategic goals of the DCPCA is to support the value-based pay work of the community health centers. As part of that strategy, the DC Connected Care Network (CCN) has been formed as a separate nonprofit to implement the work of a clinically integrated network. The CCN structure is in place, with key member leadership committed to its success.  The CCN will purchase management services from DCPCA, including a significant percentage of the CEO’s time and a full-time Vice President of Network Services, who will be hired and managed by the new CEO.  While the DCPCA and the CCN have different business models and are at different stages of organizational growth and change, the CEO will have executive oversight for both organizations.  
 

About the Position

DCPCA is looking for a strategic, visionary, empathetic leader who brings a variety of skills and experiences and a broad foundation of knowledge and understanding to the role.  This is a unique opportunity to join and oversee a membership institution with a 25-year record of success and partnership across Washington, DC, and also to guide the strategy and innovation of a healthcare start-up, which will increase and enable even more impact in racial and health equity across the District.  The dual nature of overseeing the DCPCA and the CCN, both of which require internal management and strategy experience and external partnership and community engagement experience, make this an exciting opportunity.

The new leader will report to an engaged and committed governing Board of Directors and oversee a collaborative, diverse, intergenerational team of 25 with six current direct reports including:

• Chief Operating and Technology Officer

• Vice President, Partnerships and Policy

• Vice President of Network Services, Connected Care Network

• DC Connected Care Network Director of Population Health

• Senior Director of Programs and Health Center Support

• Executive Assistant

The DCPCA culture is people-oriented, passionate, friendly, and supportive, and is a reflection of the staff who comprise the organization.  The staff are deeply committed to racial and health equity in the District and bring experience and expertise to their diverse functions.  An internal Wellness Committee works collaboratively to ensure the DCPCA culture animates joy, well-being, and respect across the multigenerational and multicultural team.

The focus of the DCPCA is serving and connecting with the member organizations and ensuring the community health centers and FQHCs have the resources they need to provide primary care to District residents.  In addition to serving the membership, the DCPCA has designed a number of innovative training and technical programs and also centers policy and advocacy to advance their mission and the missions of their members.  The CEO is also a key member of the broader health system ecosystem, working with key stakeholders such as the DC government and local and national health-focused associations. Playing a visible, active, and collaborative role in these communities has been critical to the success of the DCPCA and health outcomes in Washington, DC.

In addition to the DCPCA work, leadership of the Connected Care Network (CCN) is a key priority of the role.  Building on an existing structure, the CEO is responsible for ensuring the launch and success of the CCN as a clinically integrated network of FQHCs aspiring to develop a model of value-based care. Additionally, this requires leveraging joint negotiating in purchasing contracts in a way that is viable for each FQHC (of varying sizes) and which results in stronger health outcomes for their communities.

The ideal candidate is an authentic, accessible, and adaptable leader who brings (or quickly gains) a deep understanding of the District’s health needs for the populations DCPCA and its members serve.  They are a strong, consensus-driven leader who is a strong manager of Boards of Directors, external staff, and peers.  They are a strong decision maker and complex project manager who can manage up, delegate, and also drive work forward.  The ideal candidate is rooted in equity, is empathetic, and brings authentic and genuine openness, care, and joy in working with a wide variety of identities.

The role is based in the Washington, DC region and DCPCA is currently a hybrid organization, working two days each week in the office.

Responsibilities
 

Vision, Mission, and Strategic Leadership

• Lead DCPCA’s strategic direction, collaborating with the Board, senior team, staff, and key external stakeholders to set, implement, and track goals aligned with the organization’s mission

• Develop and maintain a strong, transparent working relationship with the Board and ensure open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated milestones and goals for the organization and the community

• Ensure ongoing organizational excellence; rigorous performance evaluation; and consistent, high-quality finance, administrative, fundraising, communications, and other systems

Staff Leadership and Management

• Engage, lead, coach, develop, and mentor DCPCA’s high-performing senior team and empower all staff in the organization to accomplish their goals

• Facilitate collaboration across departments, functions, and tenures, and strengthen internal communications to cultivate strong, trusting working relationships at every level

• Create and promote a positive, equitable, multigenerational, multicultural work environment that supports consistency throughout the organization and that centers staff wellness

Partnership Engagement and Development

• Build and maintain authentic relationships with key stakeholders, including members, peer organizations, DC government, associations, and organizations that share DCPCA values and are focused on community health, funders, and other key partners

• In collaboration with the Board and key staff, design and implement comprehensive communication and development strategies to amplify DCPCA’s commitment to community health outcomes

• Serve as the principal spokesperson for DCPCA and a passionate advocate at the local, regional, and national levels for stronger community and population health outcomes

• Ensure financial priorities and budgets sustainably and appropriately reflect membership and programming needs

Growth and Innovation

• Lead the CCN and work to develop a model of care delivery that is both viable for the health centers and also of extreme value to hospitals and the residents of the city, particularly Ward 7 and Ward 8

• Support the FQHC leaders, already organized in a Committee structure, to make decisions that guide the CCN forward

• Stay on the cutting edge of value-based care, managed care organizations, and Medicaid and ensure that the clinically integrated network is working with partners and has contracts in place that benefit each FQHC member and, ultimately, the people they serve

Revenue Generation, Finance, and Operations

• Ensure DCPCA has the revenue required to grow, innovate, and scale

• Steward and solicit major gifts on behalf of the association

• Develop, cultivate, and deepen relationships with key philanthropic funders and government officials through stories of impact, data-informed results, a clear strategy for growth and change, and an engaging communication style

• Steward finances in collaboration with the operations team and Board’s finance committee: budget and track expenses, ensure clear financial reporting and project accurate cash flow

• Ensure creation, adherence to, and maintenance of organizational policies and procedures to facilitate effective workflow, decision-making, and communication protocols across departments and functions

• Determine and secure supportive workplace arrangements for virtual, hybrid, and in-person settings in collaboration with the operations team

Desired Qualifications

Please know that the DCPCA Search Committee recognizes that not every candidate will bring all the knowledge, skills, and experiences listed below and welcomes candidates with various experiences.

• Passion, empathy, and a deep demonstrated commitment to racial and health equity and community health

• At least 10 years of executive leadership experience with a strong track record of building, leading, and inspiring teams

• Track record of building and nurturing authentic organizational partnerships 

• Strong, clear, and transparent communication skills with the ability to engage, connect and inspire a variety of audiences

• A strong, proactive problem solver who can bridge the gap between strategy and execution

• Significant experience within a healthcare organization and deep understanding of the inner workings of FQHCs, integrated care networks, and managed care organizations

• Experience overseeing essential executive functions, including strategy, finance, operations, and programs

• Experience and/or record of success in negotiating and securing value-based contracts across jurisdictions preferred