National Director, Program Development, Health Science

American Heart Association • Dallas, TX

2d • Remote

About The Position

The American Heart Association is hiring a National Director, Program Development, in Health Science. This full-time, benefits-eligible position is grant-funded; current funding expires on July 31, 2029, with the possibility of extension. The role supports the development, execution, and implementation of corporate-funded, mission-aligned projects and is accountable for deliverables, timelines, budgets, outcomes, and dissemination strategy.

The National Director leads and manages program consultants, managers, and project coordinators responsible for day-to-day implementation. The role owns and advises on strategy for multiple funded initiatives within the Healthcare Quality Solutions & Development portfolio, and works with the Senior Director, corporate relations, and the grant writing manager on concept development and proposal planning. The position also develops and maintains internal and external partner relationships to support successful implementation.

The Association describes resources for employee well-being, training, professional development, and work-life harmonization, including access to Heart U. The position may require up to 25% local and overnight travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Business, Nonprofit Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Three years of experience in healthcare programs or project management.
• Three years of direct people leadership experience.
• Experience in healthcare or a public health-related organization with clinical, quality improvement, program development, or systems improvement responsibilities.
• Ability to lead teams and manage complex, multi-site initiatives.
• Experience with quality improvement frameworks and outcome reporting.
• Strong communication and relationship leadership skills.
• Experience with grant proposal development and program design.
• Experience delivering presentations to funders and national audiences.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to function independently with minimal direction.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of American Heart Association staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Comprehensive Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, including local travel and overnight stays.

Nice To Haves

• Clinical knowledge of heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of funded initiatives, including project planning, initiative and stakeholder recruitment, execution, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Lead program consultants, program managers, and project coordinators to support coordination, performance, milestones, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with the senior director and grant writing manager on proposal development, including program design, logic models, timelines, staffing plans, and budgets.
• Provide strategic guidance on project expenditures and track budget spending; supervise budgets and contracts.
• Apply Quality Improvement Frameworks to drive measurable improvements across participating sites and projects.
• Facilitate communication among internal departments, external partners, and funders through updates, strategic meetings, and dissemination of results.
• Ensure timely reporting of outcomes, challenges, and key findings.
• Guide dissemination efforts with marketing, including presentations, abstract submissions, toolkits, webinars, and podcasts.
• Ensure project staff have the tools and resources needed to implement assigned programs.
• Provide training and coaching on assigned portfolio projects, including best practices and implementation strategies.
• Develop and maintain key internal and external partner relationships to support project implementation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Retirement program with employer match and automatic contribution.
• Employee assistance program, employee wellness program, telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional development opportunities, including Employee Resource Groups, a professional mentoring program, and access to Heart U.
• Paid time off of at least 16 days per year for new employees, increasing with seniority.
• Twelve paid holidays each year, including several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition assistance for education and career development related to current or potential future duties.
• Annual salary planning and incentive programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director