President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Work Shift

Day

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Summary

The President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the chief executive leader of the Mercy healthcare system, providing strategic, operational, financial, and cultural leadership across all entities. The CEO is accountable for advancing Mercy’s faith-based mission, vision, and values while ensuring high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care; financial sustainability; regulatory compliance; and long-term organizational growth. Working in close partnership with the Board of Trustees, executive leadership, physicians, and community stakeholders, the CEO positions the system for success in an evolving healthcare environment.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Mission, Values & Spiritual Leadership

• Serve as the chief steward of Mercy’s mission, values, and ethical principles.
• Articulate Mercy’s mission, vision, and values in a way that inspires purpose and translates them into action, guided by the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy.
• Ensure that Mercy’s Catholic identity is sustained and advanced.
• Ensure that organizational strategy, policies, and operations reflect Catholic teachings and traditions.
• Promote a culture of compassion, dignity, respect, and service to all, with particular attention to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized.
• Support mission integration, spiritual care, ethics, and formation programs across the system.

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead the development and execution of the system’s strategic plan in partnership with the Board of Trustees and in alignment with Mercy’s mission.
• Develop and maintain effective board relationships. Communicate timely, candidly, and proactively with the Board. Provide strategic counsel and demonstrate transparency regarding the implications and risks of strategic decisions.
• Foster effective governance by supporting Board education, decision-making, and performance oversight.
• Anticipate healthcare industry trends, policy changes, and market dynamics to guide long-term strategy.
• Translate strategic objectives into operational reality and hold self and others accountable for execution.

Operational & Clinical Excellence

• Oversee all system operations, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory services, post-acute care, and affiliated entities.
• Ensure high standards of quality, patient safety, clinical outcomes, and service excellence aligned with faith-based ethical standards.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation, and operational efficiency across the organization while honoring Mercy’s mission.
• Serve as the catalyst for leading and driving change while emphasizing high reliability.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics to drive accountability and results.
• Act decisively with well-informed, thoughtful, effective choices while carefully considering the impact and implications of decisions on the organization and people.

Financial Stewardship & Sustainability

• Act as a faithful steward of Mercy’s financial and physical resources, ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the healthcare system.
• Balance margin and mission, providing access to care and community benefit while maintaining fiscal discipline.
• Oversee budgeting, capital planning, financial reporting, and risk management.
• Optimize revenue, manage costs, and evaluate strategic investments, partnerships, and acquisitions.
• Maintain strong relationships with payers, financial institutions, and rating agencies.
• Advance philanthropic initiatives, donor relations, and partnerships that support mission and growth.

Physician, Clinical & Workforce Leadership

• Attract, retain, and develop top executive, clinical, operational and support services talent.
• Build an executive team that is distinctive and highly competent.
• Support leadership development, succession planning, and leadership formation.
• Partner effectively with physicians, clinical leaders, and medical staff to advance care quality and clinical integration.
• Foster a values-based culture of collaboration, engagement, inclusion, and professional development.
• Champion workforce safety, well-being, and organizational culture.

Community & External Relations

• Serve as the system’s chief ambassador and spokesperson to the community, government officials, donors, and external partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with religious leaders, community organizations, public agencies, academic institutions, and advocacy groups.
• Advance population health, health equity, and community benefit initiatives.
• Represent the organization in state, regional, and national healthcare forums.

Compliance, Ethics & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and ethical guidelines.
• Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
• Oversee enterprise risk management, including clinical, financial, operational, and reputational risks.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Master’s or Doctorate degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Medicine, or related field (MBA, MHA, MPH, MD, DO or equivalent).
• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive executive leadership experience in healthcare, with significant experience at the system or enterprise level.
• Demonstrated success leading complex healthcare organizations through growth, transformation, and change.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing operating budgets and capital programs.
• Proven ability to work effectively with Boards, physicians, and diverse stakeholders.

Preferred

• Experience as a CEO, President, or senior system-level executive (e.g., COO, CFO).
• Experience in nonprofit and/or faith-based hospital systems.
• Track record in quality improvement, physician alignment, mergers/acquisitions, and/or system integration.

Leadership Competencies

• Visionary and strategic thinker.
• Collaborative, transparent, and values-driven leader.
• Decisive, resilient, and adaptable in complex environments.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to patient-centered care, equity, and community health.

Physical Requirements

Light: Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.