Executive Director

Location:

Chicago, IL Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov

Type: Urban Salary Range: Salary Negotiable Open Period: 10/29/2026 until filled Summary: American Indian Health Service of Chicago, Inc. (AIHSC) is a non-profit charitable organization (501(c)(3)) established in 1974 and is one of 34 urban health centers for American Indians in the United States. AIHSC is the only American Indian-operated medical and behavioral health clinic in the State of Illinois, providing accessible, preventive health care and outreach services to the Native American community and surrounding populations regardless of ability to pay. Our services include a medical clinic, behavioral health clinic, diabetes clinic, community health worker programs, HIV testing and prevention, and culturally sensitive care. We offer Medical, Dental and Vision. We also offer Flexible spending account, 401(k) matching, Life insurance, Paid time off, Parental Leave, Professional development assistance, Retirement plan, Tuition reimbursement.

The Executive Director is the senior executive leader of American Indian Health Service of Chicago, Inc. (AIHSC), an Urban Indian Organization operating within the Indian Health Service (IHS) Bemidji Area under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Accountable to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads strategy, operations, financial stewardship, workforce development, and organizational quality and compliance to advance the health and well-being of urban American Indian and Alaska Native people in Chicagoland. The Executive Director builds trusted community relationships and ensures accessible, culturally responsive, patient-centered care. The role provides executive oversight of clinical services in partnership with qualified clinical leaders, who retain responsibility for clinical judgment and professional practice. The Executive Director implements Board policy and acts within delegated authority. The Executive Director works closely with the Medical Director to ensure organizational success, align clinical and operational priorities, and improve patient care. The Executive Director leads organizational administration, finance, and operations; the Medical Director leads clinical practice and medical quality within Board-approved authority. They jointly address access, staffing, quality, patient safety, and service planning. Their formal reporting relationship and any shared decision authority are established by the Board in the bylaws, policies, and organizational chart. More info about area: https://aihschgo.org Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov

Duties: Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Community Accountability •Strategic Planning: Lead the development and implementation of the strategic plan, annual priorities, and measurable goals with the Board, staff, and community. Align resources and partnerships with community needs and long-term sustainability. •Community Engagement: Create meaningful opportunities for Chicago land Native American community members, patients, families, and Elders to inform services. Respect the diversity of tribal identities, cultures, languages, and experiences, including the effects of historical and intergenerational trauma. • Advocacy & Health Equity: Advocate for urban Indian health needs; strengthen access to care, health equity, and culturally grounded prevention, wellness, and integrated care. • External Relations: Represent AIHSC with IHS, tribal and urban Native organizations, government agencies, funders, healthcare partners, educational institutions, and the public. Maintain relationships with the IHS Bemidji Area Office and relevant local, state, and national associations. • Resource Development: Lead fundraising, grant development, donor relationships, and sponsorship of cultural and community events in support of Board-approved priorities. Communicate AIHSC''s impact accurately and build public trust. Operations and Financial Stewardship • Operational Leadership: Direct administrative, clinical, community health, outreach, referral, and enabling service operations. Coordinate medical and behavioral health services and any dental, pharmacy, or other services actually operated or arranged by AIHSC. • Clinical Alignment & Credentialing: Partner with the Medical Director and other clinical leaders on access, staffing, care coordination, written service protocols, evidence-based practices, culturally responsive care, and population health strategies. Oversee credentialing and privileging systems, with clinical review and governing body approvals consistent with IHS review standards and medical staff policies. • Infrastructure & Security: Maintain effective staffing models, reporting relationships, facilities, information technology, electronic health records (EHR), cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and continuity of operations. •Financial Oversight & Budgeting: Develop budgets, forecasts, and sustainability plans with finance leadership. Present the annual operating budget for Board approval and provide timely financial reports to the Board and Finance Qualifications: Required Qualifications •Experience: At least seven years of progressively responsible experience relevant to leading a health, human services, nonprofit, tribal, urban Indian, or community-based organization or program. Relevant paid employment, unpaid leadership, and sustained community work may count toward this requirement. •Community Connection: Demonstrated experience working with the Chicago land Native American community, with knowledge of urban American Indian and Alaska Native health needs, community strengths, cultures, and the importance of language and cultural continuity. •Management & Oversight: Demonstrated ability to lead people and programs, manage budgets and organizational resources, support a governing board, build partnerships, and fulfill grant or contract obligations. Candidates must show the capacity to oversee healthcare operations and compliance with qualified clinical and technical staff. • Core Competencies: Strong communication, relationship-building, strategic planning, financial oversight, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational change skills; ability to use performance information to improve services. Note on Formal Education vs. Lived Experience: A formal college degree is not required. AIHSC recognizes lived experience and sustained service to the Chicagoland Native American community as relevant qualifications. Candidates may demonstrate the required competencies through professional experience, community leadership, education, training, or a combination. Lived experience will be considered alongside evidence of the leadership and management capabilities required for this position. Preferred Qualifications •Five or more years in senior leadership, including responsibility for staff, budgets, and program outcomes; prior Executive Director or comparable healthcare leadership experience. •Experience with IHS Urban Indian Health Program requirements, federal funding oversight, GPRA/GPRAMA and UDS reporting, QM&I, integrated care, electronic health records, and operational analytics. FQHC, HRSA, AAAHC, or NCQA experience is relevant when aligned with AIHSC''s actual programs or goals. • An MPH, MBA, MHA, or other relevant degree, or comparable advanced training and leadership experience. (A degree does not substitute for the required community and leadership qualifications.) Schedule and Working Conditions The position is based in a healthcare, administrative, and community setting. The regular schedule totals 40 Work Type: Permanent, Full Who May Apply? All Groups of Qualified Individuals Get Details & Apply: sholt@aihschgo.org