Executive Director

EngageWell Community Health & Innovation Collaborative (CHIC) / EngageWell IPA

EngageWell seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven Executive Director to lead its next chapter of organizational growth, financial sustainability, and healthcare innovation.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership across EngageWell Community Health & Innovation Collaborative (CHIC) and its subsidiary, EngageWell IPA. The position includes oversight of a multidisciplinary team of approximately 4–5 staff, an annual operating budget of approximately $2 million, and a portfolio of community-based healthcare programs, grants, contracts, and strategic partnerships.

A central priority will be strengthening and diversifying organizational revenue through nonprofit fundraising, philanthropic partnerships, government and foundation grants, healthcare contracts, and other business development opportunities. The ideal candidate will bring established relationships with healthcare payers and/or demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, donor cultivation, and philanthropic relationship management, with the ability to translate these connections into sustainable funding and growth.

The Executive Director will also oversee organizational operations and program performance, cultivate new partnerships, potentially expand EngageWell's network membership, and serve as a visible representative and advocate for the network among healthcare organizations, policymakers, funders, and community stakeholders.

The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on leadership, strong financial and relationship-management skills, and a demonstrated commitment to health equity, harm reduction, and improving access to care for historically marginalized communities.

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development

• Partner with the Board of Directors to establish and execute EngageWell's strategic direction, organizational priorities, and long-term financial sustainability plan.
• Identify and secure opportunities for organizational growth, healthcare innovation, revenue diversification, and expansion of EngageWell's network membership.
• Strengthen EngageWell's position as a trusted intermediary and strategic partner to community-based organizations, healthcare systems, health plans, and government agencies.

Fundraising, Philanthropy, and Business Development

• Lead strategies to grow and diversify organizational revenue through philanthropic fundraising, foundation grants, government funding, healthcare contracts, and other earned-income opportunities.
• Leverage existing relationships and cultivate new partnerships with healthcare payers, foundations, institutional donors, corporate philanthropies, and other funding partners.
• Oversee donor cultivation, stewardship, grant development, and business development activities to secure sustainable, multiyear funding.
• Collaborate with the Board to strengthen fundraising capacity, expand philanthropic relationships, and identify new opportunities for organizational growth.

Financial Management and Organizational Operations

• Provide executive oversight of EngageWell's annual operating budget, financial performance, cash flow, forecasting, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Oversee day-to-day financial administration, including payroll, accounts payable, vendor payments, grant invoicing, financial reporting, and compliance with funding requirements.
• Serve as an authorized organizational signatory, as designated by the Board, for contracts, financial transactions, and other organizational commitments.
• Lead and support a multidisciplinary team of approximately 4–5 full-time staff, overseeing human resources, administrative operations, consultants, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Maintain effective financial controls, organizational policies, and administrative systems to support accountability, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Program Leadership and Performance

• Provide executive oversight of EngageWell's portfolio of programs, grants, contracts, and strategic initiatives, ensuring effective implementation, contractual compliance, and measurable outcomes.
• Support program staff in achieving performance objectives, maintaining funder relationships, and identifying opportunities to expand successful initiatives.
• Promote data-driven decision-making, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement to demonstrate impact and inform future investments.

Board Relations, Network Engagement, and External Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, providing transparent reporting on organizational finances, operations, performance, opportunities, and risks. Preparation of materials for quarterly Board and quarterly membership meetings.
• Cultivate relationships with existing network members, identify opportunities to expand membership, and strengthen collaboration across participating organizations.
• Represent EngageWell externally with healthcare payers, funders, policymakers, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Advocate for policies and partnerships that advance health equity, harm reduction, and the integration of community-based organizations into healthcare delivery and financing models.

Leadership and Management

• Bachelor's degree in public health, healthcare administration, social work, public policy, nonprofit management, business administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• At least 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit management, healthcare, public health, social services, or a related sector.
• Demonstrated success leading organizations or multidisciplinary teams, managing budgets, overseeing complex programs, and working effectively with a Board of Directors.
• Strong financial management and operational leadership skills, including experience with organizational budgeting, financial oversight, revenue growth, and sustainability planning.
• Ability and willingness to balance strategic leadership with hands-on financial, administrative, and operational responsibilities in a small organization.

Fundraising, Business Development, and Strategic Partnerships

Demonstrated success in at least one of the following areas:

• Healthcare business development: Established relationships with healthcare payers, particularly Medicaid managed care organizations, and experience developing partnerships, negotiating contracts, or generating revenue through healthcare financing arrangements.
• Nonprofit fundraising and philanthropy: Proven experience securing philanthropic support, cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, and obtaining funding from private foundations, institutional donors, or corporate philanthropic partners.

Demonstrated ability to identify new funding opportunities, develop strategic partnerships, and translate relationships into sustainable revenue.

Experience developing and executing strategies to diversify organizational funding and support long-term growth.

Healthcare and Community-Based Experience

• Knowledge of New York State's healthcare landscape, particularly Medicaid, managed care, healthcare financing, and value-based payment, strongly preferred.
• Experience working with community-based organizations and populations experiencing significant health and social inequities.
• Familiarity with behavioral health, substance use services, harm reduction, health-related social needs, and innovative community-based healthcare models.
• Experience with public-private partnerships, healthcare innovation, or complex grant-funded initiatives preferred.

Personal and Professional Attributes

• Strategic, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to identify emerging opportunities and navigate changing funding and policy environments.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and organizational leadership skills.
• Collaborative and effective at building trust with staff, Board members, funders, healthcare executives, and community partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to health equity, harm reduction, social and racial justice, and the dignity and autonomy of marginalized communities, including people who use drugs, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and people experiencing poverty.

Equal Employment Opportunity

EngageWell is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and individuals with lived experience in the communities we serve. We value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and believe they strengthen our organization and its ability to advance health equity.

Application Instructions: Please send a resume and cover letter summarizing your interest and relevant qualifications to EDsearch@engagewellipa.com with Executive Director in the Subject Line.

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision (no cost to employee)

A 401(k) with a 50% match of up to 4% of salary in Year 1 of employment, increasing to 100% match of up to 4% of salary in Year 2 of employment;

A flexible work-from-home policy with reimbursement for partial utilities;

20 days of paid time off (PTO) per year increasing to 25 days of PTO in your 3rd year of employment and 30 days of PTO in your 5th year and onwards;

11 Federal holidays with paid office closure;

4 “Flex” Days of PTO per year (combine a Friday or Monday with a Federal Holiday for a 4-day weekend);

Office closure for the week preceding New Years Day;

12 weeks paid family leave; and

Up to $1,500/year for professional growth and skill development