Executive Director – PACE Program

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, clinical, financial, and administrative leadership of our client's PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program serving frail older adults.

Reporting to the Chief Business Growth Officer, the Executive Director will lead the successful startup, launch, and long-term growth of the organization's first PACE Center. This includes planning for center opening, building the leadership team, establishing operational infrastructure, preparing for State Readiness Review (SRR), ensuring regulatory compliance, driving participant enrollment, and fostering a culture of operational excellence and participant-centered care.

As the senior operational leader of the program, the Executive Director will partner closely with executive leadership, physicians, community organizations, regulatory agencies, health plans, and interdisciplinary teams to build a high-performing organization committed to helping older adults live safely, independently, and with dignity.

Reports To

Chief Business Growth Officer

Supervises

Directly supervises the Leadership Team, including the Center Director/Manager, Clinical Services Director, Quality & Compliance Director, Marketing & Enrollment Director, Network & Contracting Director, Health Plan Services Director, Administrative leadership, and other department leaders.

Indirectly responsible for all employees, contractors, consultants, and operational functions supporting the PACE program.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Startup Development

• Lead the successful startup, launch, and ongoing growth of the PACE program.

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for the organization in collaboration with executive leadership.

• Build the organizational structure, leadership team, and operational infrastructure necessary for long-term success.

• Develop startup timelines, operational readiness plans, and implementation strategies.

• Establish organizational KPIs, executive dashboards, and performance metrics.

• Identify opportunities for growth, expansion, strategic partnerships, and new service delivery models.

• Monitor national healthcare trends, PACE regulations, reimbursement changes, and emerging best practices.

• Provide executive oversight of all operational departments including:

  • Primary Care

  • Nursing

  • Social Services

  • Rehabilitation

  • Home Care

  • Transportation

  • Day Health Center

  • Nutrition

  • Marketing & Enrollment

  • Network Development & Contracting

  • Health Plan Services

• Ensure effective coordination across all interdisciplinary teams.

• Develop operational workflows that promote efficiency, participant satisfaction, quality outcomes, and financial sustainability.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Regulatory Compliance & Operational Readiness

• Serve as the Program Director in accordance with CMS and DHCS regulations.

• Lead all activities necessary to achieve successful State Readiness Review (SRR) and ongoing regulatory compliance.

• Ensure continuous readiness for CMS, DHCS, and health plan audits and surveys.

• Oversee development, implementation, and maintenance of organizational policies and procedures.

• Establish quality assurance and performance improvement programs.

• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, infection prevention, workplace safety, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Financial Leadership

• Develop and manage the annual operating and capital budgets.

• Oversee financial forecasting, budget performance, and resource allocation.

• Monitor key financial indicators including census growth, productivity, utilization, and operating margins.

• Oversee capitation revenue, reimbursement performance, and financial sustainability.

• Collaborate with Finance to prepare rate submissions, financial reports, and strategic business plans.

• Negotiate provider agreements and major vendor contracts.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, mentor, and retain a high-performing leadership team.

• Develop succession planning and leadership development initiatives.

• Promote employee engagement, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Ensure managers conduct timely coaching, performance evaluations, and development planning.

• Foster an organizational culture centered on participant care, teamwork, integrity, and operational excellence.

Community Relations & Business Development

• Serve as the executive ambassador for the PACE program within the community.

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with:

  • Hospitals

  • Physician Groups

  • Independent Practice Associations (IPAs)

  • Community-Based Organizations

  • Senior Centers

  • Health Plans

  • Referral Partners

  • Regulatory Agencies

• Support marketing, outreach, and enrollment initiatives to achieve sustainable census growth.

• Represent the organization at community meetings, conferences, professional associations, and public events.

Technology & Innovation

• Provide executive oversight for Electronic Health Record (EHR) optimization and healthcare technology initiatives.

• Support implementation of technology solutions that improve participant care, operational efficiency, analytics, reporting, and interdisciplinary communication.

• Promote data-driven decision making throughout the organization.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Business Administration, Public Health, or a related field required.

• Master's degree (MHA, MBA, MPH, MSN, or related discipline) strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, including senior operational or executive leadership responsibilities.

• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience within a PACE organization, Medicare Advantage, FQHC, integrated delivery system, or another highly regulated healthcare environment serving older adult populations.

• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

• Proven experience in strategic planning, financial management, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and organizational growth.

• Prior experience launching a healthcare program, opening a new healthcare center, or leading significant operational transformation is highly desirable.

• Experience working with CMS, DHCS, managed care organizations, and value-based care models strongly preferred.

Executive Competencies

• Strategic Leadership

• Executive Presence

• Financial Acumen

• Operational Excellence

• Organizational Development

• Change Leadership

• Community Engagement

• Physician Relations

• Regulatory Expertise

• Team Building & Talent Development

• Business Development

• Negotiation & Influence

• Data-Driven Decision Making

Conditions of Employment

• Successfully pass all required pre-employment screenings.

• Maintain required licensure and certifications.

• Current CPR/BLS certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days).

• Valid California Driver's License.

• Ability to travel locally as needed.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of participant, employee, and organizational information.

• Comply with HIPAA, OSHA, CMS, DHCS, and organizational policies.

• Complete all required regulatory and compliance training.

• Demonstrate commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the organization.