Executive Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
HealthQ provides inclusive, comprehensive reproductive, sexual and gender-affirming health care to all individuals who need it across its three clinics located in northeast Massachusetts. As HealthQ moves into its next stage of growth and impact, the Board of Directors seeks nominations and applications for its next Executive Director (ED).
The next Executive Director will provide strategic, relational, and equity-centered leadership at an important moment for HealthQ. Working in close partnership with a talented team, a dedicated Board, and key movement partners, the ED will first build trust and organizational cohesion, while ensuring HealthQ has the systems, accountability, and clarity needed to thrive. From this foundation, the ED will help the organization clarify its direction and priorities for the next chapter and affirm HealthQ’s unique value within the reproductive and sexual health ecosystem.
The ED will be a connected, systems-oriented leader who understands the rapidly evolving reproductive and sexual health landscape and can position HealthQ to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges, including in abortion and gender-affirming care. The ED will serve as an outward-facing ambassador for HealthQ while remaining closely connected to staff, patients, and the realities of care delivery across all three sites. They will bring strong executive discipline, financial acumen, and demonstrated competency in health and racial equity; strengthen organizational infrastructure and accountability; and empower a talented team to lead their areas of work.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned, collaborative executive who can steward HealthQ through a period of both transition and possibility.
ABOUT HEALTHQ
HealthQ’s mission is to provide exceptional reproductive, sexual and gender affirming health care to all who need it without judgment and without barriers. Across three clinical sites in Massachusetts (Haverhill, Lawrence and Beverly), the HealthQ team provides sexual and reproductive health care to over 6,000 individuals each year and operates with an uncompromising belief that everyone has the right to control their body and control their life.
HealthQ's work is informed by the overarching belief that health is a human right for all and not just the privilege of a few. HealthQ’s patient treatment and internal collaboration exemplifies the organization's values of being inclusive, caring, accommodating, respectful, and efficient. Everyone on the team cares deeply about the people who entrust them with their care and consider it a privilege to serve the individuals, patients, and communities that seek HealthQ resources.
As a non-profit organization, Health Q is governed by members of the communities who make up its volunteer Board of Directors. With a budget of $5.5M Health Q consists of a 25-member team of board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners, medical assistants, patient care coordinators, and administrative staff with a deep dedication to the organization’s vision, mission, and values. This community connection across HealthQ ensures that sexual and reproductive health care is accessible to families, friends, and neighbors seeking care.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director provides overall strategic and organizational leadership for HealthQ, working in close partnership with the Board and staff to advance the organization’s mission, sustain its financial and operational health, and position it for continued growth. The ED will steward HealthQ through its next chapter by strengthening organizational alignment and accountability, developing and empowering its people, and bringing a deep commitment to health and racial equity to the organization’s internal culture, clinical work, and external relationships. The ED will stay attuned to the evolving reproductive and sexual health landscape and cultivate the relationships and resources needed to advance HealthQ’s work. The ED will be entrusted with the following responsibilities:
Organizational Strategy and Change Management
- Leads the development, refinement, and implementation of organizational strategy and annual work plans, ensuring alignment with HealthQ’s mission, values, organizational strengths, community needs, and the evolving reproductive, sexual and gender-affirming health landscape.
- Builds and maintains relationships with community partners, movement allies, healthcare and public health stakeholders, and other external partners that advance HealthQ’s mission and visibility.
- Leads and communicates organizational change with transparency, building alignment and trust among staff, Board, and other key stakeholders.
Financial, Operational, and Compliance Leadership
- Provides strategic oversight of HealthQ’s financial health, including budgeting, financial reporting, revenue cycle management, reserves, audit, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Oversees organizational policies, systems, and infrastructure, ensuring they support effective, sustainable operations and enable staff to perform their roles successfully.
- Ensures compliance with federal and state funding requirements, healthcare regulations, and other legal and regulatory obligations.
- Partners with staff and the Board to ensure HealthQ has the governance, policies, and decision-making structures needed to support its next stage of growth and impact.
People, Culture, and Organizational Leadership
- Builds trust, cohesion, and a strong sense of belonging across the organization, fostering an inclusive culture where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered.
- Brings demonstrated commitment to and competency in health equity and racial equity, embedding these principles in organizational culture, leadership, and decision-making.
- Establishes and oversees effective systems for performance management, professional development, compensation, and organizational structure.
- Serves as a visible and accessible leader across HealthQ’s three sites, maintaining connection to staff and understanding the realities of care delivery while empowering others to lead their areas of work.
External Leadership and Field Engagement
- Serves as an ambassador for HealthQ, strengthening its relationships and reputation within the reproductive and sexual health ecosystem and broader community.
- Stays attuned to developments in abortion, gender-affirming care, healthcare policy, funding, and the broader political and regulatory environment, helping HealthQ anticipate and respond to change.
- Represents HealthQ with funders, government and public health agencies, community partners, and movement organizations, and cultivates resources and relationships that support the organization’s sustainability and growth.
Board Partnership and Governance
- Builds a strong, transparent, and trusting partnership with the Board of Directors, keeping the Board appropriately informed and engaged in the organization’s strategy, finances, opportunities, and challenges.
- Partners with the Board to advance organizational strategy, assess progress, and navigate significant decisions and changes.
- Supports effective Board governance, including committee engagement, Board development, and ongoing assessment of the Board’s composition, skills, and effectiveness.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
While no one candidate will possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal Executive Director will bring:
- Healthcare and Clinical Leadership: Significant leadership experience in healthcare, sexual and reproductive health, public health, or a closely related field, including experience overseeing or working closely with clinical operations. Meaningful understanding of abortion care and familiarity with gender-affirming care, as well as the policy, regulatory, funding, and political environment shaping sexual and reproductive healthcare.
- Strategic and Organizational Leadership: Experience setting and implementing strategy, leading through growth or significant change, and translating vision into action. Ability to understand an organization within its broader ecosystem, strengthen its impact and sustainability, and build effective systems, infrastructure, and accountability while maintaining an appropriate focus on the bigger picture.
- Executive and Financial Acumen: Experience overseeing organizational budgets, financial sustainability, compliance, and operational decision-making. Ability to delegate effectively, develop and empower a strong leadership team.
- Relationship Building and Communication: Demonstrated ability to build trust and strong relationships with staff, patients, community members, partners, funders, and other stakeholders. Strong listening, communication, and interpersonal skills, with experience partnering effectively with a Board and serving as a credible and visible ambassador for the organization.
- Equity-Centered Leadership: A demonstrated commitment to reproductive justice, health equity, and racial equity, with the ability to translate these principles into organizational leadership, clinical and programmatic decisions, and day-to-day culture.
- Leadership Approach: Relational, accessible, and grounded, with high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and comfort navigating uncertainty and politically charged environments.
WORK LOCATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Work Location: This role is based in Massachusetts (relocation package available as needed).
Salary and Benefits: The salary for this full-time, exempt position is $205,000 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package.
- Generous paid time off, including 4 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of sick time, and 10 paid holidays.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with HealthQ covering 75% of the medical premium.
- Medical coverage is offered through Mass General Brigham Health Plan, with both HMO and PPO options available.
- An employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that covers the first $3,500 of the $4,000 individual deductible or $7,000 of the $8,000 family deductible for employees enrolled in HealthQ’s medical plan.
- An annual self-care reimbursement of up to $500.
- Free, unlimited access to Headspace, a 100% employer-paid DeleteMe subscription for personal data privacy protection, and Basic AAA membership.
- A 403(b) retirement plan with Traditional and Roth contribution options and a 3% employer match (after 1 year of employment).
TO APPLY
More information about HealthQ be found at: https://healthq.org/
This search is being led by Emily Wexler, and Marisa Chock of NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website: http://www.npag.com/hq-ed.
HealthQ is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity.
Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.