The U.S. healthcare system, despite spending approximately $14 billion daily, faces a critical challenge: a significant portion of health outcomes (~80%) are determined by factors outside of traditional medical care. These “drivers of health” include access to nutritious food, safe housing, and stable employment. The Health Initiative (THI) is dedicated to transforming this reality by strategically redirecting existing healthcare funds towards these fundamental needs.
THI collaborates intensely with state, federal, and private healthcare organizations, entities that collectively manage billions of dollars and impact millions of lives. Their mission is twofold: to inspire these institutions to invest proactively in preventative health measures and to empower diverse stakeholders, many historically excluded from crucial financial and policy decisions, to advocate for systemic change.
This innovative approach fosters a powerful “win-win-win” scenario: individuals and communities gain access to the essential resources for well-being, governments and taxpayers achieve substantial healthcare cost savings, and private health plans enhance their financial performance. To date, THI’s impactful work has unlocked over $650 million in healthcare funding for vital resources like healthy food and housing, secured over $50 million in annual wage increases for frontline healthcare workers, and influenced policy changes that ensure over 35 million Americans are annually screened for social determinants of health by their healthcare providers.
The THI team is composed of passionate individuals with extensive experience in federal healthcare agencies, health policy organizations, community clinics, healthcare delivery systems, and quality improvement initiatives. They are committed to creating meaningful change and revolutionizing the healthcare landscape.
The Opportunity: Program Director at The Health Initiative
Are you a resourceful, detail-oriented, and adaptable leader passionate about transforming healthcare? Positively Partners is excited to share an exceptional opportunity to join The Health Initiative (THI) as a Program Director. This pivotal role offers the chance to contribute to a dynamic organization at the forefront of healthcare innovation and make a tangible difference in communities across the nation.
As Program Director, you will play a crucial role in driving THI’s mission forward, focusing on four key functions:
- Cultivating Strategic Partnerships: Working closely with THI’s Chief Campaign Officer, you will nurture and expand relationships with key partners, vital for achieving THI’s ambitious goals.
- Developing Impactful Content & Communications: You will lead the creation of compelling materials, including briefings, presentations, and reports, to effectively communicate THI’s vision and progress.
- Ensuring Programmatic Excellence: You will manage project timelines and systems to ensure the seamless execution of programmatic and partnership objectives.
- Leading and Mentoring a High-Performing Team: You will oversee the program team, providing guidance and fostering professional growth among Research Associates.
The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, possesses a strong understanding of the healthcare industry, and demonstrates exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. You should be adept at navigating both strategic discussions and detail-oriented tasks, translating broad objectives into clear action plans, and adapting your approach to diverse audiences. Your agility and ability to adjust strategies will be essential in mobilizing partners across the healthcare sector.
Reporting to the Chief Campaign Officer, you will collaborate closely with THI’s leadership and contribute to a collaborative and mission-driven team environment.
Responsibilities: Fostering Positive Partnerships for Health Transformation
The Program Director will be instrumental in supporting THI’s Co-CEOs and Chief Campaign Officer in building and maintaining transformative relationships across the health sector. In this dynamic role, your responsibilities will include:
Ongoing Responsibilities:
- Strategic Partnership Management: Advise THI leadership on partner relationship strategy, ensuring effective upward, downward, and lateral communication for seamless implementation.
- Tactical Workplan Development: Translate organizational goals into actionable workplans, prioritizing tasks and relationships across key stakeholders to maximize impact.
- Partner Mobilization & Support: Develop and refine communication materials (emails, memos, presentations) to effectively engage and support partners, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
- Content & Process Standardization: Contribute to the standardization of content and processes to enhance efficiency and consistency in partner communications and engagement.
- Tool & System Development: Identify and develop tools and systems to optimize THI’s ability to cultivate and manage crucial partner relationships effectively.
- Program Team Leadership: Direct the day-to-day work of Research Associates and other team members, ensuring high-quality outputs and efficient program execution.
- Mentorship & Career Development: Provide coaching and career development support to Research Associates and program team members, fostering their professional growth.
- Performance Evaluation & Improvement: Collaborate with leadership to evaluate program effectiveness, analyze data, and test innovative approaches to continuously improve outcomes.
Who We’re Looking For: Your Partnership Expertise
THI values diverse experiences and recognizes that professional growth can take many paths. They encourage applicants with varied backgrounds to apply and are seeking candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of skills and experiences.
This Program Director position is an excellent fit for individuals with:
- Extensive Healthcare Sector Experience: Seven to ten years of progressive experience in high-stakes roles within the health and healthcare sector.
- Healthcare Financing Knowledge: A solid understanding of healthcare financing and payment systems, including Medicaid and Medicare.
- Relationship Management Expertise: Proven ability to effectively manage complex relationships, both internally and externally.
- Campaign Experience: Experience in issue-based campaigns focused on health and/or the drivers of health.
- Strategic & Tactical Skills: Ability to translate broad goals into concrete tactics and action plans.
- Team Leadership & Management: A track record of effectively managing and supporting direct reports and holding teams accountable for achieving ambitious goals.
- Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong writing skills with the ability to adapt technical content for diverse audiences, and concise and clear verbal communication.
- Independent & Collaborative Work Style: Ability to work effectively both independently and as a collaborative team member.
- Project Management Prowess: Exceptional prioritization and project management skills, with a proven ability to consistently meet deadlines across multiple projects.
- Strategic & Systems Thinking: Strong strategic and systems thinking combined with an entrepreneurial mindset and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Continuous Improvement Mindset: A commitment to continuous learning, improvement, and the adoption of new systems and technologies.
- Sound Judgment & Adaptability: Excellent judgment and the ability to navigate ambiguity effectively.
- Attention to Detail: Scrupulous attention to detail balanced with creativity and flexibility.
- Mission Alignment: A deep commitment to THI’s mission, vision, and values and their transformative impact on healthcare.
Compensation and Benefits: Investing in Our Partners
THI offers a comprehensive benefits package and a competitive salary of $150,000. They are committed to equitable compensation practices and have a no-negotiation policy. In addition to salary, THI provides:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Full coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.
- Retirement & Family Support: Generous 401K matching and parental leave policies.
- Sustainable Time Off: Unlimited sustainable vacation and sick time.
This is a fully remote, full-time, exempt role based in the U.S., with a preference for Eastern Time Zone hours.
Equal Opportunity Partnership:
THI is an equal-opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Partner with THI: Apply Today Through Positively Partners
If you are a passionate and experienced leader ready to make a significant impact on healthcare, we encourage you to apply for the Program Director position at The Health Initiative through Positively Partners.
To apply, please submit: 1) a compelling cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience and 2) your resume through the Positively Partners website.
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