CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION

Few executive seats demand both population health fluency and capital planning judgment at once. A Chief Strategy Officer in a nonprofit integrated delivery system owns the long-range strategic plan, translates it across acute hospitals, ambulatory networks, and physician enterprises, and holds accountability for business development from new market entry to merger and acquisition evaluation. Medicare Advantage dynamics, value-based care transitions, and the regulatory demands of nonprofit health ministry governance all shape the work. Decisions here carry real financial forecast implications.

As the Chief Strategy Officer, you set the organization's strategic direction in partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors, owning everything from the Integrated Strategic and Financial Plan to provider network expansion and payer partnership strategy. You lead a division that typically spans strategic planning, business development, operational excellence, and change management, with accountability reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Career Impact: Sustained executive tenure in an integrated delivery system, particularly with demonstrated ownership of value-based care transition, is among the most recognized credential sets in health system leadership markets.

Business Impact: The strategies you develop determine where capital flows, which partnerships advance, and whether the system's ambulatory and outpatient expansion reaches the communities it is built to serve.

Growth Opportunity: Directing merger and acquisition processes, population health frameworks, and cross-system alignment gives you the portfolio of executive competencies that moves candidates into CEO succession pipelines.

• Define the organization's long-range strategic vision and annual Integrated Strategic and Financial Plan in alignment with Board priorities and mission.
• Lead business development efforts including evaluation of merger and acquisition targets, joint ventures, and strategic partnership opportunities.
• Collaborate with the CFO to develop the multi-year capital plan and ensure strategic and financial alignment across major investment decisions.
• Drive the organization's transition to value-based care and population health models, partnering with ACO and CIN leadership to pursue payer and employer opportunities.
• Develop comprehensive ambulatory and service line strategic plans in partnership with clinical and operational leaders across the integrated system.
• Monitor competitive market intelligence, regulatory dynamics, and macroeconomic trends to proactively identify risks and growth opportunities.
• Lead and develop the Strategic Management Services division, including direct accountability for strategic planning, project management, and operational excellence teams.
• Establish performance metrics and a balanced scorecard framework to track progress against strategic goals and communicate results to executive and Board audiences.

• Master's degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent executive work experience.
• 10 or more years of senior strategic planning or leadership experience in a healthcare organization, with significant tenure in an integrated delivery system.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing complex strategic plans in a nonprofit or mission-driven health system environment.
• Working knowledge of Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and value-based care reimbursement models and their implications for system strategy.
• Proven ability to lead business development processes including acquisitions, joint ventures, and provider network expansion.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to draw conclusions from qualitative and quantitative data and translate findings into actionable organizational plans.
• Exceptional executive communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to influence at the Board and C-suite level.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams, including VP-level direct reports, within a matrixed organizational structure.

• Experience in health system ambulatory strategy or Clinically Integrated Network governance, including ACO partnership development.
• Background in healthcare start-up operations or new product and service pricing methodology within a health system context.
• Familiarity with population health management platforms and the transition from fee-for-service to value-based payment models.
• Demonstrated use of organizational dashboards, balanced scorecards, or OKR frameworks to drive system-wide accountability for strategic outcomes.

• Integrated Strategic and Financial Plan completion rate, measured against Board-approved milestones.
• Number of business development initiatives advanced to execution stage per fiscal year, reflecting pipeline conversion from identification through close.
• Net new partnership revenue attributed to acquisitions, joint ventures, or payer agreements negotiated during tenure.
• Ambulatory access expansion measured by new sites or service lines launched against annual strategic plan targets.
• Value-based care contract performance, tracking shared savings or quality-metric attainment across ACO and CIN arrangements.
• Balanced scorecard adoption rate across operating ministries, indicating strategic alignment penetration throughout the system.
• Typical tools: strategic planning platforms (commonly Cascade or Workboard); healthcare market analytics (commonly Sg2 or Strata Decision Technology)

• Base Salary Range: $325,000 to $480,000 annually, depending on system size and market
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 20% to 35% of base, tied to strategic plan milestones
• Equity: Not typical in nonprofit health systems; deferred compensation plans common
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents
• PTO: 25 to 30 days annually, plus observed holidays
• Common Perks: Executive leadership development, relocation assistance, and retirement contributions

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background checks, including verification of employment history and applicable regulatory compliance screens, are a condition of employment for this position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available throughout the hiring process upon request. Candidates must hold current authorization to work in the United States.

The Chief Strategy Officer leads the development of strategic plans, annual goals, and new business initiatives (including mergers, acquisitions, and product rollouts) that advance the organisation's Mission, Vision, and Values. Reporting to the CEO and serving as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership team, this role shapes data-driven business plans and ensures alignment of internal and external communications to achieve NOI performance goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the executive team to ensure strategic areas of focus for all stakeholders are supportive of the organisation's overarching Mission, Vision and Values.
• Lead the development of strategic plans, annual goals, objectives, and necessary tracking and reporting methods.
• Develop and prioritise strategies for the organisation utilising goals, objectives, and plans, including the definition, measurement, and monitoring of outcomes.
• Lead new business strategies such as rollout of new products, solutions, capabilities, partnerships, and other internal and external joint ventures.
• Actively participate as a key member of the leadership team by furthering achievement of strategies, goals, objectives, and reporting systems.
• Direct the development of effective product marketing and outreach programs to achieve growth and NOI performance goals.
• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for future mergers and acquisitions.
• Set and ensure objectives of key internal and external strategic communications are met.
• Coordinate projects directly involving the President and leadership team.
• Serve as team member or project lead as necessary to ensure projects align with the organisation's goals and the President's strategic priorities.
• Advance key initiatives by convening key stakeholders, collaborating with critical partners, and communicating project goals and progress.
• Manage confidential and time-sensitive issues with integrity.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team to facilitate completion of analysis or assessments required for critical decision-making on high-priority projects.
• Ensure visibility and alignment of initiatives, strategies, products, and solutions to effectively drive success and achievement of goals.
• Conduct ongoing horizon scanning and research across the industry to identify opportunities and insights.
• Escalate issues requiring immediate leadership attention in a timely manner.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in health or business administration or a related field.
• Substantial and progressively responsible high-level experience in complex integrated delivery systems with progressive roles and accountability in a healthcare environment.
• Significant senior- or executive-level operational experience in a nonprofit healthcare system preferred.
• Significant experience in establishing effective approaches in strategic development and execution.
• Experience in healthcare start-up operations or new business implementation.
• Experience in product and service pricing methodologies.
• Excellent knowledge of Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Provider Sponsored Health Plan financials.
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.

Embedded within the executive team, the Chief Strategy Officer develops and executes short- and long-term strategic plans aimed at achieving significant organisational growth over a five-year horizon, partnering closely with the CEO and Chief Financial Officer on financial alignment. Working closely with the SVP of Strategy and Insights, this role builds and develops a team of strategy professionals to become effective stewards of data-informed decision-making and organisational mission.

Core Functions

• Lead the development of short- and long-term strategic plans aimed at achieving significant growth over a five-year horizon, in partnership with the CEO.
• Work closely with the SVP of Strategy and Insights to identify and execute strategic programs, projects, and priorities using a foundation of qualitative and quantitative insights.
• Identify opportunities for additional ventures, alliances, or other strategic partnerships with the intent of increasing visibility and impact.
• Champion and actively leverage data to make informed strategic decisions and recommendations.
• Understand trends and developments that may pose risks and proactively plan to mitigate them.
• Develop strategic plans that harmonise scientific and medical disciplines with business operations.
• Hire, develop, and engage staff members within the Strategy and Insights team to deliver on goals.
• Develop teams to be stewards of organisational strategy through tracking plan progress, use and promotion of data, reporting and analytics, communication and collaboration across stakeholders, and measurement of results through appropriate metrics.
• Maintain industry knowledge and awareness of marketplace conditions relative to nonprofit organisations.
• Connect all associates to the organisational mission through strategic planning processes, communication, and goal setting.
• Leverage change management skills to gain buy-in for changes in organisational strategy or to implement new approaches to meeting goals.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• 10+ years in successive strategy or business senior leadership roles.
• Experience leading strategy teams, including VP-level direct reports.
• Nonprofit strategy development experience is a plus.
• Experience delivering organisational growth through innovative strategic plans.
• Exceptional business acumen and ability to work with all levels of an organisation.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Strategy Officer formalises and leads the strategic planning process, translating long-term strategy for people across functions and business units while driving organisational change through new cross-functional synergies and accountability structures. Partnering with executive team members and external business experts, this role delivers the development and implementation of knowledge management infrastructure and an organisational dashboard for impact and effectiveness.

Primary Duties

• Lead the development of the strategic plan and framework for the organisation, and the detailed current-year operating plan, while adhering to direction set by the CEO and Board of Directors, including formalising and leading the strategic planning process, focusing on long-term trends and outlook, and competitive intelligence.
• Facilitate the execution of the strategy by working collaboratively with executive team members and ensuring that the strategy is communicated and clearly understood throughout the organisation.
• Ensure that strategic actions are completed at various levels to achieve desired results.
• Ensure that appropriate metrics are in place to measure performance and progress towards strategic goals.
• Act as a key advisor to the CEO on critical changes in the competitive landscape, global marketplace, and external business environment.
• Engage external business and industry experts to learn and influence business strategies, remaining alert and forward-thinking about opportunities and risks in the industry.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a knowledge management infrastructure and lead the management of organisational knowledge as a strategic asset.
• Lead the organisation's approach to measurement and evaluation with a focus on the creation of an organisational dashboard for impact and organisational effectiveness.

Skills & Qualifications

• Master's Degree or equivalent in Finance, Law, Marketing, Business Development, or a related field; MBA strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in strategic planning.
• Strong strategy orientation with prior experience in business and operational roles in fast-paced and complex environments.
• Ability to apply a variety of strategic frameworks to analyse problems and guide the development of solutions.
• Strong executive presence, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead the full range of problem-solving work from problem definition through analysis, recommendation, and development of implementation plans.
• Ability to influence on a global and virtual stage with an approachable style and the ability to inspire confidence.
• Ability to bridge cultural boundaries and norms to overcome barriers and improve outcomes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with key internal and external leaders, partners, suppliers, and customers.
• Proven track record in strategy planning, development, and execution.

Sitting at the intersection of strategic planning and business development, the Chief Strategy Officer owns accountability for region-wide strategies within the Integrated Strategic and Financial Plan, directing teams across Strategic Planning, Business Development, Project Management, Operational Excellence, and Change Management under the Strategic Management Services division. Operating across a highly matrixed environment that spans the Health Plan, Physician Enterprise, Ambulatory Care Network, and acute hospitals, this role reports to the Chief Executive Officer and facilitates senior leadership in establishing priorities and capital investment decisions across all operating ministries.

Duties

• Lead and participate in the strategic development of the organisation in line with system mission and values.
• Develop and lead the long-range strategic vision and strategic plans to ensure alignment of operational plans and objectives across regional ministries, within the context of the Integrated Strategic and Financial Plan.
• In collaboration with accountable executives, develop comprehensive strategic plans for all major entities in the region, articulating major three-year initiatives and identifying long-range financial forecast implications.
• Continually bring national best practices and innovative business models from within and outside healthcare and incorporate them into strategic planning and new business structures.
• Lead the development and implementation of a statewide annual planning process to ensure alignment of short- and long-range plans, goals, and objectives across the region, including alignment with financial strategies.
• Drive rapid and effective decision-making on key strategic issues and capital investments throughout the year, and lead and facilitate the Strategic Investment Workgroup.
• Actively seek growth opportunities and recommend region-wide business development, working closely with business unit leaders to secure market strength in existing markets and expand programs and services into new markets.
• Ensure an efficient regional infrastructure of qualified, talented staff to implement regional strategic priorities in a disciplined, organised way and consistently report on progress in a balanced scorecard format.
• Coordinate with internal and external medical groups, health systems, health plans, and shared services employees to identify opportunities for affiliation and growth.
• Continually and proactively assess demographics, macroeconomics, and competitive market issues and develop solutions in response.
• Coordinate strategic activities with system office leaders within a highly matrixed environment and represent the region in significant system-wide initiatives and committees.
• Create a culture of innovation across the organisation and institute a structure for consistent identification and spread of best practices.
• Coach and mentor existing and future leaders throughout the region to assess internal and external threats and opportunities in the development of key strategies to grow the ministry and differentiate the organisation.
• Ensure effective processes to track, report, and communicate the strategic vision and key initiatives across the region.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Health or Hospital Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of senior strategic planning or leadership experience in a healthcare organisation.
• At least 7 years in a leadership role within an integrated delivery system, including work with physicians and medical groups in driving business development and innovation.
• Sound experience in healthcare delivery, vision, and strategic planning, including physician relationships and integration, market growth, and health plan dynamics.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of trends and changes taking place in healthcare and government, and their implications.
• Working knowledge of integrated delivery systems, supporting business models, and varying partnership alignment.
• Strong understanding of population health and the risks of transformation from a fee-for-service model to a value-based model.
• A record of forming and implementing effective strategic alignment for an integrated delivery system.
• Proven ability to form and lead strong teams of highly intelligent, high-achieving professionals.
• High integrity and high moral and ethical standards, with the ability to apply values-based decision-making.
• Ability to draw accurate conclusions from quantitative and qualitative data and develop actionable organisational solutions.
• Ability to actively seek out and support collaborative thinking and problem solving in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Ability to create a work environment that encourages and fosters the growth of future leaders.
• Ability to set high standards for performance, inspire others to achieve, press for results, and take calculated risks.
• Ability to prioritise and organise tasks in response to changes and process information accurately and promptly.

A key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Strategy Officer builds and leads the strategy and business development function, accountable for growing the organisation's geographic reach through new business initiatives, strategic partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions. Collaborating across the Ministry Market Executive, Chief Financial Officer, and Clinically Integrated Network leaders, this role delivers implementation of strategic initiatives that position the organisation to realise its Mission and Vision through value-based care and population health transformation.

Functions

• Lead the development of the overall strategy and strategic plan in partnership with the President/CEO, the Board, and the leadership team.
• In close partnership with the Ministry Market Executive, identify and develop growth strategies and targets and lead the business development function as well as regional Growth Councils.
• Lead the strategic aspects of the annual Integrated Strategic, Operational, and Financial Plan development process, including accountability for identifying high-priority strategic opportunities, risks, key capital projects, and potential acquisitions and partnerships.
• Co-lead with the Chief Financial Officer the development of the three-year capital plan and ensure alignment with overall strategy.
• Co-lead with the Clinically Integrated System of Care dyad the development of service line strategic plans and clinical programs.
• Partner with Clinically Integrated Network and ACO leaders to conduct a periodic assessment of the Clinically Integrated System of Care, including identification of high-priority gaps and opportunities.
• Lead the development of the overall ambulatory strategy, including the services to be offered and the partnerships required.
• Lead the process to identify provider needs and determine which specialties, practices, and provider types should be pursued and optimised to implement the provider development plan.
• Champion the transition to value-based care and population health and partner with Finance and CIN/ACO leaders to pursue payer and employer opportunities.
• Lead efforts to identify and develop merger or acquisition targets, partnerships, joint ventures, and other strategic partnership opportunities.
• Ensure the Master Facilities Plan process is conducted in a manner that aligns with the overall strategic plan.
• Support the development of national strategies and business development opportunities as requested by parent organisation leadership.
• Educate leaders and the Board of Directors on critical external trends, disruptions, and innovations by facilitating dialogue among key stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications

• History of seeking out and developing collaborative relationships with internal and external constituencies to accomplish a common goal.
• Understanding of the future direction of healthcare and the ability to motivate and engage others in a common vision.
• Track record in assessing complex, competitive markets and developing related growth initiatives in partnership with physicians, payers, and other providers.
• Ability to gain broad stakeholder support when developing, implementing, and promoting strategies, initiatives, projects, and new ventures in a shared leadership environment.
• Systems-oriented thinking with the ability to analyse complex relationships and situations and promote entrepreneurial and innovative approaches.
• Superb communication, facilitation, negotiation, and listening skills.
• Ability to influence, persuade, direct, challenge, and relinquish control as appropriate.

Profitable business expansion and sustainable access to care across ambulatory and outpatient practices depend on the Chief Strategy Officer, who owns the annual strategic plan and all business development functions, including payer relationships, provider partnerships, and new site transitions from development into hospital operations. Based within the executive leadership structure and reporting alongside finance and service line leadership, this role delivers revenue growth and above-benchmark clinical and experience outcomes by optimising the existing partnership portfolio and advancing the organisation's market analytic capabilities.

Accountabilities

• Achieve key patient care, financial, and operational outcomes as outlined in the annual work plan.
• Establish systems and processes that drive accountability for patient care, financial, and operational outcomes.
• Work effectively with cross-company partners to execute divisional and departmental initiatives and day-to-day operations.
• Act as an effective communication conduit horizontally and vertically throughout the organisation.
• Lead corporate-wide initiatives to achieve intended outcomes.
• Develop talent within the team, including acquiring, engaging, and retaining staff.
• Staff, organise, and schedule the team to leverage maximum labour productivity.
• Establish metrics that measure key business outcomes.
• Create the vision and strategies to achieve profitable growth and allocate resources accordingly.
• Anticipate obstacles and barriers and work creatively to overcome them.

Technical Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience.
• Strong experience in business development and marketing disciplines.
• Strong working knowledge of how to organise and drive an integrated strategic planning process.
• Broad knowledge of the healthcare and health plan industry, including public policy.
• Ability to profitably grow a business or business unit.
• Ability to think creatively and partner with peers to create and execute an actionable plan derived from creative thinking.
• Deep commitment to healthcare and furthering the mission of a community-based organisation.

As the Chief Strategy Officer, this role owns the five-year strategic plan and a broad portfolio spanning Strategy and Scalability, Assessments, Analytics, Student Information Systems, Tech Solutions, and Business Development across a complex multi-site, multi-regional education organisation. The Strategy Team relies on this work to deliver aligned regional impact plans, data-informed decision-making, and an IT and cybersecurity infrastructure that enables sustainable growth and equitable student outcomes.

Activities

• Lead a transparent, robust, and inclusive engagement process to establish and refine the organisation's five-year strategic plan.
• Translate strategy into a clear and shared vision and action plans for excellent operations and partner with leaders to optimise and enable high-quality execution.
• Lead and elevate annual strategic planning processes, including gathering relevant data for decision-making, convening and managing meetings with internal and external stakeholders, and preparing materials necessary for effective decision-making discussions.
• Oversee organisation-wide growth strategy and planning efforts aligned to the strategic plan, including new region and school initiation, enrolment demand forecasting, and new avenues for growth through expanding and launching new services and initiatives.
• Evaluate new business opportunities and launch new services and initiatives.
• Refine and build systems for scale to enable achievement of strategic growth objectives and greater efficiency, including a knowledge management solution and data systems and dashboards for transparency and measurement of effectiveness.
• Plan and pilot newer technologies, including machine learning, automation, and artificial intelligence, in support of decision-making and efficiency.
• Build broader cybersecurity policy and adoption, including championing security practices, staff training, and continued security integration.
• Set the topic scope and sequence for executive team meetings based on strategic priorities and initiatives, in partnership with the CEO and Network Executive Team, and ensure a high level of preparation and a plan for follow-up and follow-through.
• Act as a key strategic thought partner to the CEO and Network Executive Team, facilitating brainstorming and identifying solutions to strategic challenges.
• Oversee the data library of reports used throughout the organisation to drive decision-making.
• Develop a cohesive vision and purpose within the Strategy Team to further evolve and elevate the overall approach to strategy and scalability.
• Lead and manage a team of direct reports across multiple subteams, including Strategy and Scalability, Assessments, Analytics, Student Information Systems, Tech Solutions, and Business Development.
• Ensure the team works in a highly effective manner across multiple functions with school leaders and the Network Support Team.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Master's Degree or higher preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience, including strategic leadership in a complex, multi-site, multi-regional organisation.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in a leadership or senior management role.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in a charitable organisation or firm serving education agencies or charter schools.
• Experience with analysis, data systems, or information technology.
• Experience leading, developing, and recruiting diverse teams in support of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture.
• Solid understanding of education and charter organisations.
• Deep commitment to the mission of eliminating the achievement gap.
• Ability to travel approximately 30% of the time to provide effective strategic guidance to organisational leadership and remain deeply connected to regions, teams, and impact.

Chief Strategy Officer leads the planning group day-to-day, managing and mentoring a team of Senior Strategists to discover transformative consumer insights and shape strategic platforms that inspire world-class creative solutions across broadcast, digital, social, and experiential channels. The work directly supports the delivery of integrated communications plans and creative effectiveness measurement, advancing trusted relationships with senior executive clients and elevating the quality of work across the strategy group and the agency.

Operational Focus

• Run the planning group day-to-day, managing and mentoring a team of Senior Strategists as department head.
• Understand business drivers, competitor activity, brand intelligence, consumer insights, and emerging trends relevant to key clients' business.
• Discover transformative insights informed by market research, metrics, and consumer understanding.
• Lead concept development and apply research findings to shape strategic platforms.
• Develop strategies to inform, inspire, and guide world-class creative solutions.
• Deliver creative briefings that inspire creative work across broadcast, digital, social, experiential, and other channels.
• Design integrated communications plans by championing collaboration between Strategy and other departments, including Creative and Media.
• Elevate the quality of work across the strategy group and the agency.
• Provide training initiatives and sources of inspiration to optimise the team's potential.
• Manage joint business plans with key partners.
• Maintain strategic rigour to measure, assess, and drive creative effectiveness.
• Develop trusting relationships with senior executive clients.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• 10 to 15+ years of experience.
• Knowledge of business and industry drivers, competitor activity, brand intelligence, consumer insights, and emerging consumer trends.
• Understanding of how people engage with brands.
• In-depth understanding of the modern, constantly evolving media landscape and how people want to engage with it.
• High capability in developing brand strategies across broadcast, digital, social, and experiential media.
• Competent communications planning practitioner able to deliver simple yet sophisticated plans to cohere creative and media disciplines.
• Ability to discover and share fresh perspectives that have the power to change perceptions.
• Excellent communication skills, from day-to-day interactions to large storytelling presentations.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team toward a common goal.
• Dynamic team leadership skills that bring out the best in teams and foster powerful relationships.