Chief Executive Officer

ECUMEN PRESIDENT AND CEO : POSITION SUMMARY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to Ecumen's Board of Trustees, the President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for overall senior leadership and working with the Board, Members Assembly, and Executive Leadership Team to establish long-range goals and implement multi-year objectives and strategies.

Bringing high energy, bold vision, and exceptional critical-thinking skills to the position and demonstrable passion for the organization’s faith-based mission supporting older adults and their families, the President and CEO will lead collaborative efforts to maximize resources, ensure financial resilience, and drive intentional growth and development.

The President and CEO will serve as Ecumen’s chief ambassador in advancing relationships with key leaders, constituents, stakeholders, and the broader community; lead targeted advocacy initiatives; and expand and diversify financial support for sustainability and major priorities.

Strategic Planning and Vision

Purposefully and actively manage the development and implementation of strategic plans through systematic evaluation of quantitative results, incorporation of prioritized contingencies, and timely refinements.

Evaluate the relevance and applicability of industry, sector, and market analyses, competitor assessments, and stakeholder feedback on strategic priorities, plans, programs, and operations.

Leadership and Organizational Culture

Lead and inspire a dynamic workforce and workplace environment and build ownership in priorities and strategies and the evaluation of and response to key results.

Strengthen competencies in cross-division collaboration and promote cooperation, trust, open‑mindedness, and mutual respect across the organization.

Integrate transparency and accountability within a culture of excellence, acknowledgement and recognition, intentional partnerships, and innovation.

Operational Leadership and Management

Maintain responsibility for comprehensive operations ensuring Ecumen’s mission, vision, and values drive talent development initiatives, financial strategies, business decisions, and resource allocations.

Mentor and motivate Executive Leadership Team members overseeing Finance; Legal Affairs; Nursing and Operations; People Services (Human Resources); Mission Advancement; Marketing and Communications; and Customer Experience and Well‑being functions.

Guide the evolution of an increasingly effective, change‑ready organization through an alignment of major goals, key performance indicators, and evaluation methodologies.

Financial Leadership and Stewardship

Work effectively with organizational colleagues and Board leaders to ensure financial sustainability, make informed and timely decisions impacting profitability and stability, and align resource allocations with major priorities.

Engage in the development of budgets and projections to facilitate consensus on investment priorities and on decisions for any downsizing or elimination of specific operations, programs, and / or services.

Risk Management and Compliance

Steward compliance with government and industry standards, guidelines, and regulations impacting living spaces and services for older adults.

Anticipate resource and response requirements for potential risks and liabilities and expedite strategies and contingencies to mitigate or circumvent financial, operational, or other strategic threats.

Sustain organizational vigilance to assess risks, ensure the safety and well‑being of residents and staff, sustain operational efficiency and financial resilience, and initiate risk management protocols and practices as warranted.

New Business Development

Evaluate opportunities for growth, expansion, and / or diversification including potential markets, programs, and services; strategic partnerships and alliances; and internal process and capacity‑building improvements.

Ensure all prospective pursuits and decisions are supported by financial and operational due diligence; cost‑benefit analyses; measurable objectives; compatibility with existing and emerging programs and services; evaluations of opportunity costs related to resource requirements and allocations; and timely assessments.

External Stakeholder and Partner Engagement

Serve as the primary spokesperson promoting and differentiating Ecumen’s organizational profile within a competitive and dynamic environment with leaders, stakeholders, and partners; residents, patients, and family members; contributors and funders, and government and public officials.

Broaden the organization’s engagement with the pursuit and diversification of philanthropic commitments.

Engage in direct cultivation, formal requests for financial support, and stewardship of private contributions and public funding given their increasing importance to Ecumen's resilience, viability, and evolution.

Maintain trusted relationships with Lutheran religious leaders including the Members Assembly and Catholic religious members of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict.

Sustain a leadership presence and voice through service on key industry and sector boards and associations and the intentional involvement of team members.

Advocacy

Lead targeted advocacy initiatives and cultivate relationships with elected officials, regulatory agencies, and industry and sector partners to shape and influence public policies and funding streams.

Ensure legislative and regulatory developments are proactively monitored and communicated to leaders, colleagues, and advocates positioned for response and action.

Governance and Board Relations

Steward relationships with the Ecumen Board of Trustees to foster confidence, collaborations, and engagement through open, responsive, and purposeful interactions and communications.

Partner closely with the Board in the development and pursuit of Ecumen’s strategic goals and responses to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Engage in the identification, cultivation, recruitment, and onboarding of new Board members.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree or higher.

Minimum fifteen years’ progressively responsible experience in leading and / or managing a large, complex organization and a sizable, diverse, and dynamic team.

Experience leading the development, implementation, assessment, and adaptation of comprehensive strategic plans.

Ability to translate opportunities and strategies into measurable objectives and outcomes.

Strong analytical skills and the capability to integrate diverse perspectives and engage others in strategy development and implementation.

Solid business and financial acumen.

Demonstrated record of leadership, experience, and accomplishments in building, empowering, and motivating high‑performing teams.

Commitment to and proficiency in creating and strengthening industry, sector, and community partnerships toward shared goals and benefits.

Experience with successful private and public sector revenue generation.

Working knowledge of trends associated with the provision of living spaces and innovative services for older adults and their families.

Familiarity and experience with nonprofit organizations.

Effective interpersonal, active listening, and consensus‑building skills.

Openness, professional integrity, sound judgment, and high ethical standards.

Mastery of written, verbal, and virtual communications, addresses, and presentations.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The starting salary range for this position is between $450,000 and $550,000 with an opportunity for a performance‑based bonus.

Ecumen offers comprehensive benefits including healthcare benefits, paid holidays, flexible time off, and a 6% 401(k) retirement plan match. Learn more at https : / / www.ecumen.org / find-a-career / benefits / .

APPLY FOR POSITION

Apply for the Ecumen President and CEO position with your LinkedIn profile, attach a cover letter and resume, and include your preferred contact information for confidential outreach purposes.

Questions and inquiries may be sent in confidence to ecumenceosearch@ecumen.org. Ecumen will be in touch on your candidacy after reviewing your application. The President and CEO position will remain open until filled.

For more information, please visit Career Opportunity — President & CEO - Ecumen

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

Ecumen is an equal opportunity employer. Ecumen considers candidates regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

ABOUT ECUMEN

Headquartered in Shoreview, Minnesota, Ecumen is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit providers of senior housing and innovative services for older adults. Founded in 1862 as a regional Lutheran social service agency in Minnesota, Ecumen’s faith‑based legacy reflects an enduring commitment to honoring individual choice and promoting quality of life at every stage of aging. Ecumen’s promise is to be the most trusted aging services provider and the best place to work for those serving older adults. Ecumen :

Operates in 24 urban and rural communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, short‑term transitional care, hospice, home care, and other community‑based services such as home delivered meals and adult day care.

Employs approximately 2,800 team members and direct care providers. In 2024, 34,792 people were served by Ecumen programs, 4,678 people resided in over 45 living spaces, total revenue was approximately $211 million, and total assets were approximately $405 million.

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