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Executive Director Rural Health Partnerships

UnityPoint Health


Job Location:

West Des Moines, IA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 2 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 29 September 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Department:

Administration

Job Summary

Overview

UnityPoint Health is seeking a strategic and relationship-focused leader to serve as Executive Director Rural Health Partnerships. This role is responsible for developing leading and sustaining partnerships that strengthen access to high-quality financially sustainable healthcare across rural communities.

Serving as the primary leader for rural affiliation strategy partnership performance and relationship management the Executive Director works closely with rural hospital CEOs boards physicians and community stakeholders to advance shared clinical operational and financial goals. This individual will help shape the future of rural healthcare by identifying growth opportunities supporting innovative models of care and ensuring rural partners remain connected to the resources expertise and services of a leading integrated health system.

The ideal candidate brings experience in hospital operations rural healthcare board and physician relations and strategic partnership development along with a passion for improving the health and well-being of rural communities.

UnityPoint Health is open to candidates located throughout our footprint. This role offers a hybrid work arrangement and will include travel to rural partner organizations hospitals and communities across the region.

Why UnityPoint Health

At UnityPoint Health you matter. Were proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Beckers Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities no matter what life stage youre in. Here are just a few:

  • Expect paid time off parental leave 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
  • Dental and health insurance paid holidays short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
  • Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of UnityPoint Healths rural partnership strategy identifying opportunities to strengthen access improve sustainability and expand services across rural communities.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with rural hospital CEOs executive teams boards physicians and community stakeholders serving as a trusted advisor and strategic partner.

Evaluate structure and support new affiliations collaborations and partnership opportunities that align with organizational goals and community needs.

Collaborate with clinical operational and service line leaders to align resources care models quality initiatives workforce strategies and performance improvement efforts across rural partners.

Monitor partnership performance including financial operational quality and access metrics while identifying opportunities for growth improvement and long-term sustainability.

Support rural partners in navigating reimbursement challenges cost management strategies grant opportunities and evolving payment models.

Advance innovative models of care including hub-and-spoke networks virtual health services shared staffing models and specialty care access initiatives.

Represent UnityPoint Health within rural communities and with external organizations advocating for rural health priorities and fostering collaborative partnerships.

Lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment while driving accountability engagement and successful execution of strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Healthcare Administration Business Administration or a related field.

5 years of progressive leadership experience in acute care hospital operations.

3 years of leadership experience at the Director level or above.

Experience working closely with hospital leadership teams medical staff and physicians.

Experience partnering with governing boards community stakeholders and external organizations.

Experience in a rural healthcare environment.

Strong knowledge of hospital operations healthcare finance strategic planning and healthcare delivery models.

Exceptional relationship-building communication negotiation and presentation skills.

Demonstrated ability to lead through influence drive change and align diverse stakeholders around a common vision.

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in Healthcare Administration Business Administration or a related field.

Membership or Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Experience leading rural affiliation strategies partnership development or healthcare network expansion initiatives.

Experience working within an integrated health system or multi-site healthcare organization.

#UPHExecutive


Required Experience:

Director


About Company

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As an integrated health system, we provide care throughout Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin in not-for-profit hospitals, clinics and home health settings.

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