Program Director
www.HealthInitiativeUSA.org
Remote Position
About The Health Initiative:
Founded in 2018, The Health Initiative (THI) is a not for profit organization that catalyzes new conversations about – and new investments in – the known drivers of health. The U.S. spends ~$12 billion every day on healthcare – even though only ~20% of health outcomes are tied to clinical care. This disconnect is increasingly untenable. Even pre-COVID, 24% of those with commercial health insurance still lacked adequate food, housing, or other basics – driving up healthcare costs.
THI works relentlessly to achieve our vision of a health-based economy that equitably invests our country’s public and private dollars in health, not just healthcare – and our aim of increased investments in the known drivers of health, including healthy food, safe homes, and well-paying jobs.
As instigator and advisor, THI works intensively with public and private healthcare institutions that control billions of dollars and impact millions of lives (health insurers, federal agencies, state departments of health and human services, and foundations) to partner with communities to invest in health, not just healthcare. With THI’s guidance, these institutions make investing in health central to their strategy, business model, and operations – and engage with communities to mobilize and align resources for healthy food, safe homes, and well-paying jobs while building community wealth and addressing historical inequities. THI Co-founders Rebecca Onie and Rocco Perla are national leaders whose careers offer critical insights into and experience with the drivers of health, healthcare delivery, and healthcare policy.
About the Position:
The Health Initiative (THI) seeks a resourceful, nimble, and detail-oriented Program Director. This team member has four primary functions:
- Work with THI’s Chief Campaign Officer to advance and steward relationships with major partners to achieve THI’s aim
- Lead and support the development of content and communications (e.g., briefings, presentations, reports)
- Manage overall timelines and systems to achieve programmatic and partnership goals
- Oversee the work of and directly manage the program team
A successful candidate will thrive in the fast-paced context of issue-based campaigns and/or start-up environments and have a strong understanding of the health and healthcare industry. We seek candidates with excellent relational instincts, strong attention to detail, and good communication skills who are able to flex between strategic conversations and detail-oriented execution. The Program Director will be able to translate the work into clear content and process priorities, work with the team to manage and execute against timelines, adapt approaches to different styles, and nimbly adjust plans and content to help THI mobilize partners across the sector.
The position reports to the Chief Campaign Officer, who oversees THI’s programmatic and fundraising work. THI’s Research Associates are direct reports to the position and, as part of a small organization, the Director will also engage other staff in fulfilling responsibilities. All staff at THI work collaboratively and across functions to deliver on our mission.
Responsibilities:
The Program Director supports the Co-Founders and Chief Campaign Officer in building and sustaining transformative relationships with actors across the health sector. Given the dynamic nature of the organization, the responsibilities below are reflective but not exhaustive of what you should expect in the role.
Ongoing responsibilities:
- Staff and advise THI’s Co-Founders and Chief Campaign Officer on partner relationship management and strategy. Manage up, down, and sideways for effective implementation
- Translate organizational objectives into tactical workplans for achieving goals with specific stakeholders. Make recommendations on prioritization of tasks and relationships across key stakeholders
- Develop and review materials (e.g., emails, memos, presentations) to mobilize and support partners. Ensure accuracy and clarity of thought
- Support standardization of content and process to help maximize efficiency
- Identify and build the tools and systems that position THI to effectively steward its most important relationships
- Direct day-to-day work of Research Associates and others to ensure overall quality and efficiency of program team’s work
- Provide coaching and career development guidance to support professional growth of Research Associates and other members of the program team
- Work with the Co-Founders, senior leadership team, and other relevant team members to evaluate and analyze the effectiveness of output and systems and to test new approaches based on learnings
Who We’re Looking For:
There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work.
This position might be a good fit for someone that has experience managing complex partnerships to achieve ambitious health or healthcare goals; someone with deep sector knowledge developed through consulting, working at a health plan, or a health-focused foundation; or someone with experience supporting executives in designing and implementing major changes at scale.
We are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below.
- Seven to ten years’ progressive experience overseeing high-stakes work in the health and healthcare sector
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage relationships internally and externally
- Issue-based campaign experience focused on health and/or drivers of health
- Ability to translate goals and objectives into tactics
- Track record of effectively managing and supporting direct reports, as well as holding teams (including teammates that don’t directly report to them) accountable to achieving ambitious goals
- Strong writing skills, including ability to adapt technical content to diverse audiences
- Concise verbal communications. Ask questions to clarify points of view or illuminate options. Make clear recommendations.
- The ability to work independently and as a team member
- A talent for prioritizing and managing multiple projects with short-, medium-, and long-term deadlines; ability to successfully meet deadlines consistently
- Strong strategic and systems thinking skills, combined with an entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to do whatever it takes to get projects over the line
- Continuous improvement mindset, ability to learn and use new systems and technology
- Good judgment; ability to recognize and successfully navigate ambiguity
- Scrupulous attention to detail while also recognizing that creativity and flexibility are essential for long term success
- Commitment to and deep understand of the mission, vision, and values of THI and their impact on healthcare
- Equity-minded individual who displays an informed and thoughtful commitment to diversity and inclusion both internally and externally
Compensation and Benefits:
THI offers a comprehensive benefits package. The salary for this position is $150,000. THI has a no-negotiation compensation policy. In addition to a competitive salary, THI also offers:
- Full coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee and family
- Generous 401K matching and parental leave
- Unlimited sustainable vacation and sick time
This is a full time, exempt role with some flexible evening and weekend work expected and is fully remote within the US. THI prefers staff to work eastern time zone hours.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
The Health Initiative values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual identity, veteran status or any other status protected by law. People of color, LGBTQ identified people, gender non-conforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.