Job Description

Huntsville Hospital Health System is seeking a visionary, community-centered healthcare executive to serve as President of Helen Keller Hospital. This is a rare opportunity to lead a beloved, century-old community institution with deep roots in Northwest Alabama, supported by the financial strength, clinical resources, and strategic infrastructure of one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit health systems.

Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President of Regional Hospital Operations, the President will serve as the senior executive leader for all hospital operations — setting strategic direction, championing clinical excellence, cultivating physician alignment, and representing Helen Keller Hospital as the face of healthcare in the Shoals community. This role demands a leader who blends genuine passion for community health with disciplined operational and financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and overall strategic direction for all hospital operations, services, and programs
• Report to and collaborate closely with the Executive Vice President of Regional Hospital Operations, ensuring alignment with HH Health System priorities and governance
• Cultivate a high-performance culture anchored in clinical excellence, patient safety, quality outcomes, and service distinction
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with the medical staff, community leaders, elected officials, and key regional stakeholders
• Drive financial stewardship including budget development, revenue cycle performance, and capital allocation decisions
• Lead physician recruitment, retention, and alignment strategies in partnership with HH Health System resources
• Develop and execute strategic growth initiatives that expand access to care and strengthen the hospital’s market position in Northwest Alabama
• Advance workforce development, employee engagement, and a culture of continuous improvement across all departments
• Ensure ongoing regulatory compliance and accreditation standards across all clinical and operational areas
• Serve as the visible community leader for Helen Keller Hospital in civic affairs, philanthropic engagement, and regional healthcare coalitions

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required
• Minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, including demonstrated executive-level accountability
• Proven track record of operational excellence, financial performance, and quality improvement in an acute care hospital setting
• Experience operating within a multi-facility health system environment is strongly preferred
• Strong physician relations skills with a demonstrated ability to build trust and alignment with medical staff leadership
• Solid financial acumen including P&L accountability, budget management, and capital planning
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and community engagement capabilities
• Demonstrated commitment to mission-driven, not-for-profit healthcare values and community stewardship
• Track record of recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing leadership teams

About Us

About Huntsville Hospital Health System & Helen Keller Hospital

Helen Keller Hospital is a proud member of Huntsville Hospital Health System (HH Health) — one of the most respected not-for-profit health systems in the Southeast. Founded in 1895 as a community-owned institution in Huntsville, Alabama, HH Health has grown into a regional powerhouse that spans hospitals across North Alabama and southern Tennessee, employing more than 20,000 people and operating over 2,500 licensed patient beds.

Located at 1300 South Montgomery Avenue in Sheffield, Alabama, Helen Keller Hospital has been the cornerstone of healthcare in Northwest Alabama since 1921. Originally opened as Colbert County Hospital, the facility has grown over more than a century into the premier healthcare provider for Colbert County and the surrounding region. Today, Helen Keller Hospital offers a comprehensive range of acute care services including emergency medicine, cancer care, surgical services, labor and delivery, imaging, geriatric care, hospice, and more. The hospital also oversees Red Bay Hospital, extending the System’s reach into additional rural communities.

More about HH Health and Helen Keller Hospital

https://www.helenkeller.com/about

https://hh.health/