The Opportunity
Harbor Health is seeking a visionary, mission-driven CEO who brings strategic foresight, strong financial acumen, and a people-centered approach to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact. Committed to advancing health equity, this leader will foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and resilience—empowering teams, aligning operations, and ensuring sustainable, high-quality care for the communities Harbor Health serves.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and CEO provides leadership in setting strategic direction and shaping policy and is accountable for HHSI’s overall management and performance. S/he augments organizational capacity and capabilities, furthers organizational growth, and ensures quality and financial sustainability for the present and the future. The President and CEO is collaborative, communicates openly, and cultivates trusting relationships with a myriad of key stakeholder groups including private and public organizations, public officials at all levels of government, the academic, business, and medical communities, and the communities the health centers and PACE program serves.
The CEO key responsibilities include:
- Lead Strategic Vision & Execution: Partner with the Board and staff to refine and implement a forward-thinking strategic plan, ensuring alignment with Harbor Health’s mission and long- and short-term goals.
- Inspire Culture & Talent Development: Foster a culture of trust, fairness, and learning by cultivating strong relationships across all levels of staff, investing in their growth, and empowering a high- performing, culturally competent leadership team.
- Drive Operational Excellence: Strengthen organizational capabilities through continuous improvement of systems, processes, and internal communications to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and care delivery.
- Ensure Financial Sustainability: Maintain fiscal integrity by overseeing budgeting, compliance, and reporting, while developing and diversifying revenue streams for long-term financial health.
- Uphold Quality & Compliance: Ensure the organization meets the highest professional standards and complies with all federal, state, and regulatory requirements to protect patients and staff.
- Leverage Data for Improvement: Utilize data and performance metrics to evaluate outcomes, monitor success, and inform strategic decisions across programs and services.
- Champion Equity & Innovation in Care: Promote creativity and openness to adapt programs and models of care that respond to community needs and regulatory changes, particularly for underserved populations.
- Serve as Chief Ambassador & Advocate: Represent Harbor Health with integrity and passion at local, state, and national levels, advancing the organization’s mission and influencing health policy.
- Strengthen Governance & Board Relations: Engage actively with the Board of Directors to inform decision-making, support effective governance, and leverage member expertise and involvement.
- Build Strategic Partnerships & Visibility: Cultivate and grow collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, healthcare partners, and community leaders, while elevating Harbor Health’s brand and impact.
About Harbor Health
The Harbor Health Services story spans over five decades.
Dr. Jack Geiger and Dr. Count Gibson founded the first community health centers in the nation in one urban and one rural community. Dr. Geiger’s vision sought to confront abject poverty and medical disenfranchisement. He believed a health center would not only provide much needed medical relief and social services, but also a path toward community empowerment and direct citizen action.
People would lift themselves and their families out of poverty and bring their neighbors with them. The community health centers were not the end – they were the means.
Located on an isolated and impoverished peninsula in Boston, Massachusetts, Columbia Point Health Center, now known as Geiger Gibson Community Health Center, became the first operating community health center in the nation when it opened in 1965. Doctors Geiger and Gibson shared a vision to confront poverty and inequality through better access to healthcare.
Health center operations took place humbly inside a troubled public housing project basement; it was an area that even city ambulances did not venture without a police escort.
When the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy visited the health center in August 1966, he saw how the lack of medical care gravely impacts a neighborhood and the promising solution of Columbia Point Health Center. The visit had a profound effect on Kennedy’s thinking, as he explained years later: “I have been a strong supporter of community health centers since the inspiring day I visited the one that started it all…”
Harbor Health Services was formed as a 501 (c)(3) organization in 1985 when the Columbia Point and Neponset Health Center came together in pursuit of their steadfast commitment to community health. Columbia Point was officially renamed Geiger Gibson Community Health Center in honor of the men who started the community health center movement. Today, Harbor Health continues to respond to current and emerging health needs in communities not only in Boston, but also on the South Shore and Cape Cod. More than 30,000 patients a year receive care at Harbor’s five community health centers.
Harbor Health Services Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit public health agency with a mission to help individuals achieve their full potential through access to local, affordable services that promote health. Harbor provides medical, behavioral health, dental, and support services to more than 30,000 patients in Boston, the South Shore, and Cape Cod.
Harbor Health operates five community health centers:
- Geiger Gibson Community Health Center – the first community health center in the U.S. founded in 1965!
- Daniel Driscoll – Neponset Health Center
- Harbor Community Health Center-Plymouth
- Harbor Community Health Center-Hyannis
- Ellen Jones Community Dental Center – Dennis
Harbor’s community health centers offer kind, caring, and affordable medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and social support services. Harbor Health Services currently operates three retail pharmacies with a fourth pharmacy opening soon. They offer a convenient and affordable way to get your prescriptions filled at our community health center locations and offer a mail delivery service at no charge. Each pharmacy operates with a dual inventory (retail and 340B) and provides multiple ways for patients to afford their medications. You do not have to be a patient at a Harbor Health center to use our pharmacy. Our pharmacies also have a complete line of over-the-counter products. Harbor Health also has over 100 contract pharmacy arrangements with independent and chain pharmacies. Harbor Health pharmacy generates $4.5M in revenue annually.
Harbor Health also operates a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The PACE model of care provides a comprehensive medical/social service delivery system using an interdisciplinary team approach in a PACE Center that provides and coordinates all the necessary preventive, primary, acute and long-term care services. Services are provided to older adults who would otherwise reside in nursing facilities. Currently, Harbor’s PACE Program allows 562 frail elders continue to live with dignity and independence in the community. ESP generates $65M gross patient service revenue annually.
Elder Service Plan (PACE)
Elder Service Plan – Brockton
479 Torrey Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Elder Service Plan – Mattapan
1135 Morton Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
Learn more about Harbor Health’s history.
Candidate Profile
Commitment to Mission, Vision & Values
The next CEO of Harbor Health should foster a culture of innovation and resilience. Committed to Harbor Health’s mission of providing affordable, high-quality healthcare for all, the CEO will foster an environment where employees feel safe to innovate and improve services. By leading with vision and accountability, they will empower the team to push boundaries and find creative ways to advance health equity and serve the community.
Strategic & Visionary Leader
The CEO of Harbor Health must be a forward-thinking strategist capable of navigating the organization’s dual identity as an ambulatory practice and PACE provider. They will align strategy across clinical operations, managed care, and population health to foster growth and improve outcomes. A skilled advocate, they will balance the needs of stakeholders, Board members, and staff, while leveraging resources and creating opportunities. Visionary and proactive, they will anticipate future challenges, act strategically, and implement positive, sustainable change with respect for the organization’s history.
Strong Business & Financial Acumen
The CEO will excel in financial stabilization, revenue growth, and operational efficiency, ensuring Harbor Health’s sustainability. With extensive experience in managed care and community health, they will adeptly navigate healthcare funding complexities and scale operations efficiently. A data-driven strategist, they will utilize performance metrics and analytics to optimize decision-making, enhance operations, and improve patient outcomes, while ensuring compliance with intricate regulatory frameworks.
People-Centered Leader, Culture Builder and Skilled Communicator
The CEO will cultivate a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration through emotional intelligence and strong communication. They will engage and empower teams, ensuring accountability, consistency, and stability. Skilled in change management, the CEO will navigate transformation while minimizing fatigue and fostering resilience. A compelling and persuasive communicator, they will elevate Harbor Health’s visibility and impact across diverse sectors, including government, healthcare, public health, and business.
Results-Driven Leadership
The CEO will leverage exceptional business and financial acumen to stabilize Harbor Health’s finances, streamline operations, and promote sustainable growth, with a particular emphasis on the PACE program. As a decisive, results-driven leader, they will define and execute clear strategic priorities, ensuring effective resource allocation and organizational stability. They must possess proven expertise in development, fundraising, revenue diversification, and navigating the complexities of the political, economic, and healthcare landscapes.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervises the senior leadership team and support staff.
Compensation and Benefits
The starting compensation for this position begins at $375,000 based on experience and ability to have broad impact early and can range to $425,000.
Harbor Health provides a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical Insurance – Choice of two medical insurance plans
- Dental Insurance
- Group Life & Supplemental Life Insurance
- Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- Voluntary Critical Illness, Whole Life and Accident Insurance
- Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
- Wellness Benefits – Employee Assistance Program, Noom membership, and fitness reimbursement.
- 403B Retirement Plan with up to a 2% discretionary match
- Paid Time Off (PTO)– 20-35 days depending on tenure and role
- 11 Paid Holidays in addition to PTO
- Employee Engagement Program
Contact
DSG has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Kim Dukes, Managing Director, and Neysa Brown, Managing Director. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
DSG is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.