CEO

Ascension Recovery Services•Cedar Falls, IA

2d•$150,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Join a team that’s changing lives. At Renewal Falls Recovery Center, we are building a premier behavioral health campus designed to deliver clinical excellence without compromise. Set to open in mid-summer 2026, this is a founding executive leadership opportunity to build, lead, and scale a multi-level treatment program offering ASAM 3.5, 3.7, and outpatient services, with a planned capacity of 120–156 beds. In partnership with Ascension Recovery Services (ARS), this role is designed for a strategic operator and enterprise leader—someone who can translate vision into execution while building a high-performing, mission-driven organization from the ground up. Position Summary The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the senior-most leader of the organization, responsible for ensuring execution across all aspects of facility performance. This role owns operational execution, financial performance, and culture, with accountability for delivering sustainable growth, clinical quality, and long-term organizational success. The CEO operates as both a hands-on builder during launch and leader post-stabilization, partnering closely with ARS executive leadership to align local performance with broader organizational objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field
7+ years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare or behavioral health
3+ years in a senior executive role (CEO, Executive Director, VP, or equivalent)
Experience managing multi-level care environments (detox, residential, outpatient)
Demonstrated experience with P&L ownership and operational scaling

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA, MHA, or related field)
Experience leading facility start-ups or turnaround environments
Accreditation survey leadership experience (Joint Commission or similar)
Experience in high-growth, multi-site, or PE-backed healthcare organizations
Strong understanding of payer strategy and reimbursement models

Responsibilities

Facility Launch & Operational Leadership
Lead pre-opening execution, including hiring, onboarding, licensure readiness, and go-live operations
Stand up programming across detox, residential, and outpatient services
Establish strong operating cadence, reporting structures, and accountability frameworks
Ensure operational readiness across all departments at launch
Financial & Business Performance
Own full P&L accountability, including budgeting, forecasting, labor optimization, and cost control
Drive census growth strategy, referral development, and payer mix optimization
Monitor key business metrics and proactively adjust strategy to meet targets
Partner with shared services to ensure financial discipline and operational scalability
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
Build and lead a high-performing executive and department leadership team
Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, and performance excellence
Develop leadership bench strength and succession planning strategies
Drive consistent performance management and leadership development practices
Clinical Alignment & Patient Experience
Partner with clinical leadership to ensure delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care
Ensure operational decisions support clinical integrity and patient outcomes
Champion a differentiated, high-quality patient experience across the full continuum of care
Compliance, Quality & Risk Oversight
Ensure full compliance with state, federal, and accreditation standards
Maintain continuous survey readiness and operational audit processes
Oversee risk management, incident response, and quality improvement initiatives
Reinforce a culture of ethical leadership and regulatory accountability
External Relations, Market Leadership & National Presence
Serve as the executive face of the organization across the local market, referral community, and national industry landscape
Build and maintain strategic partnerships to drive referral growth, payer relationships, and market share
Position the organization as a recognized leader in behavioral health within the region and an emerging national presence
Represent the organization in executive forums, industry events, and strategic partnerships that elevate brand visibility
Collaborate with ARS leadership on multi-market expansion, brand strategy, and enterprise growth initiatives