Overview: Lifeline Connections is conducting a national search for top-notch candidates to compete to become its next President and Chief Executive Officer. This is a unique opportunity to guide a large, complex behavioral health and addiction recovery system into the future - leading their strategic development, promoting innovation and operational excellence, and developing relationships and resources that secure the future of Lifeline Connections. The new CEO must be a champion and advocate for Lifeline Connection’s mission to inspire hope and support life-saving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions.

 

The Organization: Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Lifeline Connections (LLC), is a $29M, CARF accredited, 501(c)(3) non-profit provider organization that serves more than 4000 people every year. LLC has been a powerful force working to break the cycle of addiction and to support recovery through a network of innovative programs and services. From the opening of its first treatment center almost 50 years ago, Lifeline Connections (https://lifelineconnections.org) has become a robust and growing recovery-oriented regional system of high-quality care and support. LLC’s human impact has grown regionally with clinics in 5 communities outside of Vancouver and many programs that serve individuals and families from across the Pacific Northwest.

 

Lifeline Connection’s diverse array of programs and services range from prevention and mentoring for children and youth affected by family SUD to outpatient treatment and community- based programs for youth and adults with mental health and substance use conditions; and, from crisis residential, detox and substance use inpatient care to recovery support services. LLC offers several specialty programs including Medication Assisted Recovery (MAR), treatment and supports for Pregnant & Post-Partum Women, services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, as well as outreach, support, and services for the LGBTQ community. LLC’s licensed, multi-disciplinary professionals are joined by peer support specialists to offer state-of-the art services and support to help individuals and families on their journey to a life of health and wellness. Lifeline Connections strives every day to transform lives - giving hope, help, and healing to those impacted by substance use and mental health conditions.

 

Known for its leadership in Washington’s addiction recovery and treatment system since 1962, Lifeline Connections is committed to developing innovative solutions in response to rapidly changing individual and community needs. In its work, Lifeline Connections is focused on leveraging its remarkable assets – human capital;  behavioral health, recovery, and rehabilitation expertise; diverse collaborative relationships, broad community and donor support, and its financial resources – to expand its capability to serve and support individuals and families challenged by substance use and/or mental health conditions to reach their highest potential emotionally, socially, physically, and economically.

 

Lifeline Connections (LLC) is governed by a voluntary citizen Board of Directors whose members represent diverse interests from across the community including education, social & other human service agencies; business, legal and other professionals;  community healthcare professionals and organizations; and engaged, committed citizens. They share a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health conditions. The Board is focused on selecting a new Chief Executive Officer to secure Lifeline Connections’ future and lead it to new heights as a premier nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider.

 

The Opportunity: As President & Chief Executive Officer, you will be responsible for Lifeline Connections’ bottom line performance – programmatic, financial, and administrative. Key leadership roles include:

 

• Collaborating with the Board to develop policies, plans and budgets to meet the needs of the Center’s clients and communities.

• Developing and implementing LLC’s strategic vision.

• Leading the development of state-of-the-art programming strategies that position LLC as a regional leader for achieving community impact.

• Guiding, coaching, supporting, and developing the Center’s leadership team to facilitate their active participation in planning, coordination, and management of daily operations to achieve LLC’s goals.

 

As the executive staff leader, you must balance the competing demands of  both internal and external challenges. Lifeline Connections is facing several challenges, each of which is critical to its future and all of which require exceptional leadership and teamwork:

 

• Executive leadership transition

• Transformation of services and supports to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center and prepare for Value-Based Reimbursement

• Recovery and stabilization in the post-Covid environment

• Meeting increasing service demand amid new standards of care and the uncertainties about future funding

• Realignment, recruitment, training, development, and retention of Staff in a highly competitive environment

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This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Lifeline Connections and to impact  addiction recovery and mental health  services for individuals and families in Vancouver and across the state and region.

 

The Location: Vancouver, Washington  is a great place to live and work! Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, just across from Portland, Oregon, Vancouver offers the best blend of  living options in the Pacific Northwest. A vibrant community with a growing economy,  Vancouver’s low population density contributes to its small town feel and consistent ranking as one of the safest cities in the country. Great public and private schools and colleges and diverse community organizations and activities make Vancouver an ideal place to raise a family. No income tax, a moderate cost of living and housing options to match anyone’s needs - rural life with room for animals, neighborhoods in the suburbs or in the city, or waterfront properties on rivers or lakes - add to Vancouver’s draw.

 

For outdoor enthusiasts, you have easy access to National Forests, the Columbia Gorge, the Pacific Ocean & beaches, and many other parks and trails. If you enjoy big city amenities and entertainment, you can choose from Portland or Seattle. The summer is an absolute delight - no air conditioning required. Add to all of this the people of Vancouver - friendly, welcoming and kind - and you will understand why Vancouver is the place to be!

 

Ideal Candidate: This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Lifeline Connections and to impact behavioral health and addiction recovery for children, adults, and families in their communities and across the region and state.

 

Our ideal candidates will possess these qualities, characteristics and demonstrated experiences:

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• Be a results-driven leader and entrepreneur with experience engaging broad stakeholder groups – board, staff, consumers, families, and communities - to shape a future of innovation and risk-taking while bolstering LLC’s role as a premier cornerstone of the region’s human services safety net  

• Have a philosophy of shared leadership, collaboration, and accountability

• Be politically savvy and an excellent communicator

• Have a successful track record leading strategic initiatives and building innovative systems of care in collaboration with professional and community partners

• Have a strong business sense within the community health and human services context, able to balance clinical and financial goals

• Be facile with the personal relationship approach that is characteristic of the region

• Possess a master’s degree, or its equivalent, in administration, management, public health, social science, social work or education

• Have at least 10 years progressive experience in management positions of increasing levels of responsibility in community behavioral health organizations, hospitals, or integrated healthcare systems. At least half of that experience should have been in senior management positions. Experience working with/for a Board of Directors is a must.

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To compete for this exciting leadership opportunity as President & Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline Connections or to request additional information, send your resume, in confidence, to: