Executive Director - Career Profile |
Career OverviewIn most hospitals or healthcare facilities that are managed or run by a Board of Directors the executive director is the highest level staff member that reports directly to the boards and also implements board policies and decisions within the hospital.
They are the highest level of employed management within the systems structure. If there is not a Board of Directors the executive director reports directly to the governing body or individual or group that is managing the hospital or healthcare facility.
The responsibilities of the executive director vary greatly depending on the hospital or healthcare facility but generally include:
- Overseeing all aspects of facility day-to-day operations by working closely with committees and management teams
- Setting hospital policy
- Communicating the vision and goals of the facility to the various medical information systems director-level managers and directors
- Being the hospital spokesman or spokeswomen
- Assuming all responsibility for hospital procedures and policies
- Ensuring appropriate levels of patient care as well as enforcement of all government, state and local regulations
- Overseeing the financial issues regarding the hospital or healthcare facility
- Assisting in human resources and staff development, especially with management positions
- Community and public relations issues, especially for non-profit hospitals or healthcare facilities that rely on fundraisers or community support for financial reasons
The executive director may also be involved in legal issues if necessary as well as understanding risk management and helping establish both short and long-term profits and financial gains for the hospital or healthcare facility.
The executive director must have excellent management skills and effective communication skills when working with a variety of different groups. He or she must be very task oriented and able to work on multiple committees, projects and with a variety of individuals on a continuous basis. Good financial understanding as well as excellent interpersonal skills are the essential skills of an executive director.
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Career RequirementsAn executive director for a hospital or healthcare facility may have several different educational backgrounds including a Masters degree in business or healthcare or health services administration or a related field such as finance, public administration or even a liberal arts degree. Many executive directors have a Doctorate in a related field.
An executive director will also be required to have extensive knowledge about the facility or hospital that they will be working with, which usually means 10 or more years experience working in mid or upper management. In addition the executive director should have a strong business background and a proven ability to work with staff and communicate effectively between the various groups within the facility.
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Job OutlookThe United States Department of Labor indicates that jobs for executive directors in hospitals or healthcare facilities are predicted to remain steady as some executives retire or move to start their own businesses. Since this is a senior management position the qualifications for the job make it a high-income level position that creates lots of interest in the job market.
Since the executive director’s responsibilities are so involved with almost all aspects of the hospital or healthcare facility there is active recruitment of successful executive directors to other facilities that creates constant job postings and vacancies.
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Career TrackBecoming an executive director is virtually the highest position that is available in most hospital or healthcare facilities. Many executive directors move into consulting for other facilities or open their own management or management training companies and work privately.
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CompensationExecutive directors in large, private hospitals and facilities make more per year than those in smaller facilities or non-profit or government facilities. Executive directors can expect to earn between $140,000 and $300,000 for small to medium sized private and public healthcare facilities whereas those that work for large hospitals or healthcare groups can earn between $500,000 to $700,000 per year.
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