Assistant Health District Administrator #0912

Keller Executive Search • Texas City, TX

9d • $150,000 - $170,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Our client, a comprehensive public health organization serving communities along the Texas Gulf Coast, is seeking a Deputy Executive Director, Operations to provide senior operational leadership across a complex, multi-service environment. The organization delivers essential services across traditional public health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and the county’s largest EMS provider. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is central to the effective daily leadership of the organization’s departments, programs, and approximately 251 employees. The Deputy Executive Director, Operations will be a hands-on, structured leader who can strengthen standards, reinforce accountability, and contribute to a professional, high-performing organizational culture from the second-in-command position. The Executive Director and Board are seeking a steady, principled leader with strong financial insight, sound judgment, and the ability to coordinate across a complex public health district. This is a meaningful opportunity for a leader who builds trust through consistency, follows through on difficult decisions, and wants to help shape both an organization and the community it serves.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus 6+ years of progressive senior-level managerial experience in a public health or healthcare organization; or Master’s degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Health Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field, plus 4+ years of senior-level managerial experience in a public health or healthcare organization. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Valid Texas driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one upon hire.
• Strong financial and budget management capability, including the ability to review budgets, grant formulas, and funding allocations, and hold departments accountable for accurate reporting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HRSA programs, sub-grant management, requirements, and federal funding mechanisms.
• Outstanding communication skills, sound judgment, high ethical standards, and a commitment to HIPAA compliance and public service.
• Experience preparing and submitting grant applications to federal and state funders, including managing funding agency relationships and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in public health program management, operations, community engagement, and emergency preparedness.
• Firm, structured leadership style with the confidence to establish standards, hold direct conversations, drive change initiatives, and align work with Board and Executive Director direction.

Nice To Haves

• Nonprofit or government healthcare operations background.
• Direct experience with public health services such as WIC, immunizations, infectious disease control, EMS, or environmental health.
• Familiarity with IT governance and cybersecurity oversight in a public sector or healthcare environment.
• Five or more years of public health leadership experience, including experience working with a Board of Health or elected officials.

Responsibilities

• Support budget planning, resource allocation, and financial oversight across the organization.
• Lead or co-lead public health preparedness, disaster response, and emergency management initiatives.
• Oversee daily operations for assigned departments and programs, ensuring consistent service delivery, regulatory compliance, and strong operational standards.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on Board of Health governance, including the preparation of reports, agendas, and presentations.
• Direct grant management activities, including HRSA and other federal and state grant applications, sub-grant oversight, and required funding agency reporting.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, local governments, and healthcare providers, and represent the Executive Director at meetings and events as assigned.
• Monitor program performance, fiscal operations, and budget compliance across departments, identifying and addressing inaccuracies in financial reporting.
• Assist the Executive Director with overall management, administration, and strategic planning across operations, including acting on behalf of the Executive Director when required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• No-cost access to Coastal Health & Wellness clinics for employees.
• Receipt-based reimbursement available, typically capped at $10,000 for relocation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager