Description

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society (MS) and Medical Foundation (MFC)  of Chattanooga seek a collaborative, relationship-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead a highly respected physician organization with a longstanding history of community impact, advocacy, and innovation.

This is a unique opportunity to inherit a strong and stable organization with deep community roots, robust programming, strong financial stewardship, and a culture built on service, trust, and physician leadership.

Following more than two decades of transformational leadership by the current CEO, the organization is seeking a successor who can honor its legacy while helping guide its next phase of growth and impact.

About the Organization
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society (MS)
Founded in 1883, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society is a 501(c)(6) membership organization representing 1,317 physicians across Southeast Tennessee.

The Society serves as the voice of medicine in the community through advocacy, physician engagement, public education, communications, and professional support services. MS maintains a close relationship with the Tennessee Medical Association and serves as a trusted resource for physicians throughout the region.

Medical Foundation of Chattanooga
Established in 1986, the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga serves as the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the organization.

Key initiatives include:

• SE TN Project Access Community Health Partnership
• LifeBridge Physician Well-Being Initiative
• Future Docs Leadership Program

The Foundation advances physician leadership, community health, healthcare access, and workforce development throughout the region.

Shared staffing supports both entities while maintaining separate governance structures.

Affiliated Business Entities
Physician Services, Inc.
Wholly owned for-profit subsidiary currently evaluating future service opportunities supporting medical practices.

Tennessee Physician Quality Verification Organization (TPQVO)
A multi-owner verification organization supporting physician credentialing and verification services throughout Tennessee and beyond. The organization provides ongoing residual revenue supporting CHCMS operations.

Position Summary
The Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief administrative and operational leader of the organization, providing strategic leadership across multiple affiliated entities while serving as a trusted partner to physicians, governing boards, staff, and community stakeholders.

The successful candidate will balance strategic vision with operational excellence and relationship management, ensuring organizational sustainability while advancing the mission and priorities of the organization.

This role reports directly to the governing boards and works closely with physician leadership, staff, community partners, and healthcare organizations throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Stewardship 

• Strategic leadership
• Organizational stewardship
• Advance the mission and long-term vision of the organization
• Ensure organizational sustainability and growth
• Anticipate challenges & trends in healthcare and develop proactive responses
• Lead & mentor a diverse team to foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Ensure accountability, communication, and organizational effectiveness
• Partner with Boards to identify future priorities & opportunities

Financial, Operational & Program Leadership 

• Oversee budgets, financial performance, and organizational resources
• Manage a $1.3 M budget across 3 related entities
• Prepare & administer board-approved budgets
• Oversee fund development, including corporate & event sponsorships
• Ensure effective administration of all affiliated entities
• Maintain operational excellence and compliance
• Program oversight
• Identify & pilot new programs, revenue diversification & membership strategies
• Identify & pursue grant opportunities
• Manage all grant reporting, deliverables & funder relationships

Governance, Advocacy & Community Engagement 

• Build consensus and lead without formal authority over members
• Support physician leadership development and advocacy efforts
• Strengthen relationships with physicians and healthcare stakeholders
• Represent the organization throughout the community
• Serve as effective spokesperson with media, government & hospital leadership
• Serve as primary advisor to governing boards
• Support board engagement and effective governance practices
• Facilitate communication between boards, committees, and staff

Leadership Transition Opportunity
This search is being conducted as part of a thoughtful and intentional leadership transition. The incoming Executive Director will benefit from a structured onboarding and knowledge-transfer process designed to support continuity, relationship development, and long-term success.

Candidates who value collaboration, stewardship, and building upon an existing foundation will find a rare opportunity to lead an organization that is both highly respected and well-positioned for the future.

Compensation & Benefits
The organization anticipates a starting salary of at least $120,000, with opportunities for additional compensation consideration based on experience, qualifications, and leadership track record. 

The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• TextCare non-emergency medical assistance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions up to 4%
• Paid Time Off (PTO) with progressive accrual based on years of service
• Paid sick leave with annual carryover provisions
• Ten paid holidays each year
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Eligibility for consideration of an annual performance-based bonus

Requirements

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is required; Graduate degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum 10+ years progressive professional experience in management and supervisory roles in an association, corporation, academic institution or government setting.

Strongly Preferred: experience leading a medical society, foundation, civic initiative, or comparable membership organization.

Familiarity with Chattanooga or similar communities undergoing economic, demographic, and civic transformation.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Senior leadership or executive management experience
• Experience working with boards, committees, or volunteer leadership structures
• Strong financial and operational management capabilities
• Proven executive or senior leadership experience
• Strong operational and financial management capabilities
• Ability to form diverse coalitions across sectors
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Strategic thinking combined with strong execution skills
• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, association, foundation, or mission-driven organizations preferred
• Ability to build trust with physicians, staff, community leaders, and partners
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Public speaking skills
• Equivalent combinations of education, leadership experience, and demonstrated success will be considered