Chief Executive Officer

At Catapult, we are supporting our member, GHA Autism Supports, in their search for a Chief Executive Officer. This will be an onsite role in Albemarle, NC with occasional travel.

About GHA Autism Supports

For over 47 years, GHA Autism Supports has provided quality, community services to meet the unique needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We create environments where people of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorder are understood, valued for their diversity and are given opportunities to grow, as well as contribute to the community. It is our pledge to support people in developing an evolving blueprint for their lives, and we do that not by asking them to conform to our service array, but by creating and tailoring services to meet their expressed needs. With this process, we help to make a difference one person at a time.

Position Overview:

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GHA Autism Supports (GHA) serves as the organization's chief executive, and strategic leader responsible for the overall performance, financial sustainability, and mission advancement of GHA Autism Supports (GHA). Reporting to the Board of Directors (Board), the CEO provides leadership for organizational strategy, operations, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and clinical quality within North Carolina's Medicaid-funded service environment.

The CEO works in close partnership with the Board to steward GHA's long-term success and serves as the agency's primary public representative. This role leads and supports the executive team, ensures effective delivery of person-centered services, and builds strong relationships with the individuals served, families, stakeholders, funders, and community partners.

The CEO is accountable to the Board, serves as a non-voting member, and is an exempt position.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Lead the development, communication, and execution of GHA's strategic plan in partnership with the Board.
• Cultivate a strong, transparent working relationship with the Board and ensure open communication regarding financial, programmatic, and impact performance against established goals and milestones.
• Anticipate and respond to changes in NC Medicaid policy, waiver structures, reimbursement rates, and workforce regulations.
• Evaluate opportunities for growth, service redesign, and mission-aligned earned revenue models.
• Identify organizational risks and implement proper mitigation strategies.
• Represent GHA on statewide committees, coalitions, and professional organizations, as encouraged by the Board.

Organizational and Operational Leadership

• Ensure services are delivered in compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and organizational policies.
• Overseas all agency operations, employing more than 250 staff and providing services to over one hundred individuals with developmental disabilities in Albemarle, Wilmington and Chapel Hill, NC.
• Foster a positive, inclusive organizational culture by modeling GHA's values and promoting employee engagement, collaboration, and accountability.
• Provide leadership and direction to executive management and designated staff, including supervision, training, performance evaluation, coaching, professional development, and administrative approval responsibilities.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in personnel matters, operational decision-making, and organizational problem solving.

Financial and Sustainability Oversight

• Oversee the fiscal health of a $17M organization with strong internal controls and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Monitor financial performance and operational metrics to support stability and growth.
• Lead revenue diversification strategies beyond Medicaid, including grants, philanthropy, and partnerships.
• Work with executive leadership and the Board to develop and oversee budgets, forecasts, and long-term sustainability plans.

External Relations and Advocacy

• Ensure organizational compliance with NC DHHS, LME/MCOs, CMS, licensure bodies, and accreditation standards.
• Serve as GHA's primary spokesperson and oversee public relations, marketing, and communications.
• Work closely with the development staff and board members to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and institutional funders.
• In collaboration with the executive management, build and maintain strong relationships with families, guardians, stakeholders, funders, community partners, individuals served, and the broader nonprofit and business community.
• Collaborate with DHHS, DSS, Public Health, Social Security, and other agencies impacting individuals served.
• Promote community education, advocacy, and awareness related to autism and developmental disability services.
• Maintain current knowledge of trends, best practices and innovations in the autism and human services field.

Professional Standards and Development

• Protect confidential and sensitive information and ensure compliance with HIPAA and other privacy requirements.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and elevated integrity, particularly when supporting individuals who may not be able to advocate for themselves.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, to remain current on regulations, standards, and leadership best-practices.
• Demonstrate flexibility with respect to work schedule, travel, assignments, and evolving organizational needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required in social work, human services, psychology, public administration, or a related field. Prefer a master's degree, and a minimum of ten years of significant senior leadership experience in nonprofit, healthcare or human services organization of comparable size and complexity.
• Proven experience working with or reporting to a board.
• Demonstrated responsibility for managing large teams and budgets comparable to the scope of GHA. Experience with fundraising, donor relations, or external partnerships.
• Strong executive leadership, strategic thinking, financial acumen, and organizational management skills.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Valid driver's license required.

Work Location & Travel:

This position is primarily performed in GHA's corporate office located in Albemarle, NC, with regular travel to program sites and periodic travel to other meetings across the State. The role requires the ability to work effectively across office, community, and remote settings. The CEO must be able to attend meetings, make public presentations, and travel as required.

EOE