Career Center

THE OPPORTUNITY: 

Are you a leader with a passion for health equity and a track record of facilitating systems change? The Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) seeks an Executive Director to advance our mission of bringing partners together to create equitable, sustainable systems change, improving whole-person wellness for all. SWACH’s Executive Director will lead a mission-driven staff of 22, report to a dedicated community-based Board of Directors, and manage an annual operating budget of approximately $9.3 Million. The Executive Director will be based in SWACH’s Vancouver, WA office. SWACH prefers that the Executive Director live within our three-county service area (Clark, Skamania & Klickitat) or be willing to re-locate. 

Building on SWACH’s track record of innovation with the Medicaid Transformation Project, our next Executive Director will continue to advance SWACH’s health equity mission and community- centered approach, in collaboration with ACH peer organizations around the state. The new Director will lead SWACH through a period of financial and organizational transition, fostering sustainability as historic funding through the 1115 Medicaid Waiver concludes in June of 2028. 

At SWACH, we leverage our financial stability and operational excellence to support our partners through community investments (grant making). Our current program areas include: HealthConnect Hub, a network that connects people in need of care with a team of responsive community-based workers. The HUB is part of a larger statewide network focused on integrating health and social services to make the care coordination experience client-centered. SWACH’s Community Health Improvement Team works to improve access to quality care with a focus on building strong rural health networks and supporting local nonprofit organizations. And our Equity and Collaborative Impact Team fosters local coalition building and advocacy for the communities we serve, including our neighboring Tribal partners. 

HOW TO APPLY: Submit the Following by Feb, 9, 2026 (5 p.m. Pacific Time) 

1) A cover letter that reflects how your experience qualifies you to become the Executive Director of SWACH based on our leadership profile. 

2) A statement (up to 350 words) highlighting your experience leading a major change initiative. 

3) A complete chronological resume. 

Send the above items via email as a single PDF to Executive Search Consultant Paula Manley at: SWACH-ED@paulamanley.com / Subject Line: SWACH ED Application 

All inquiries will be handled confidentially. Please use this email to request an accommodation. To learn more about SWACH: www.southwestach.org 

Executive Director Leadership Profile 

REQUIRED: 

Experience and Knowledge 

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of senior leadership experience in a health-related setting. (Masters Degree in healthcare or public health preferred). 

Knowledge of the social determinants of health and harm reduction, including naloxone and other opioid abatement strategies. 

Understanding of current trends and developments in Medicaid Transformation and healthcare system reform in Washington state, including the differences in rural and urban healthcare systems. 

Capabilities 

Change Management: Track record of leading a major organizational or systems change initiative with transparency and care, including navigating restructuring, prioritization of program/services, and difficult trade-offs. 

Partnership & Resource Development: A creative and strategic resource developer, able to forge creative partnerships; identify federal, state, and local funding beyond traditional philanthropy, and mobilize partners around emerging opportunities to advance SWACH’s mission over time. 

Collaborative Leadership: A facilitative leader with a proven ability to work effectively with a wide variety of constituents, internally and externally. Experience fostering an equitable and inclusive culture of trust, respect, and mutual accountability. Ability to cultivate effective partnerships that inspire constituents from a wide variety of organizations to work together toward a common goal. 

Systems Lens: Experience fostering systemic change through networks, coalitions, alliances, and/or multi-stakeholder initiatives; familiar with the coordination and infrastructure needed to underpin and sustain collaborative learning and impact. 

Health Equity: Experience advancing health equity within an organization or system— including policies, practices, culture, and/or programs. 

Communication: A self-aware, strength-based communicator with excellent listening and presenting skills. Experience framing messages to connect with diverse audiences including consumers, policy groups, executives, health providers, Tribes, and community-based nonprofits. 

Monitoring and Evaluation: Experience implementing processes to track progress and assess effectiveness of projects, programs, or policies to improve performance, ensure accountability, and make informed decisions. 

Financial Oversight: Experience overseeing financial management and accounting systems, including ensuring Board adoption of an annual budget and compliance with state and federal tax and legal requirements.