Vice President, Nationwide Research Institute

American Lung Association • Nationwide, US,

23d • $140,000 - $200,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President, Research Institute is the senior staff leader responsible for the strategy, scientific credibility, operational execution, and business development of the American Lung Association Research Institute. The role advances the Institute as a nationally recognized platform for lung health research, scientific innovation, expert convening, and translating research into mission impact. The position leads an integrated research portfolio that strengthens the Association’s scientific prominence, supports measurable mission outcomes, and ensures research priorities both inform and are informed by programs, services, advocacy, and public policy.

The role is nationwide. Applicants near an office will work in a hybrid arrangement requiring at least two days per week in the office; remote applicants from anywhere in the United States are also encouraged to apply. The position’s target hiring range is $140,000–$200,000 per year, with exact compensation varying based on skills, experience, and location.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in a scientific, clinical, public health, epidemiologic, biological sciences, or related research discipline.
• Significant senior-level experience leading research strategy, clinical or translational research, public health research, scientific programs, or research institute operations.
• Research expertise in lung health, respiratory disease, clinical research, public health, epidemiology, or a closely related field.
• Ability to develop and execute multi-year research strategy, build scientific credibility, evaluate research opportunities, and translate research priorities into organizational impact.
• Ability to build strategic partnerships with research institutions, healthcare organizations, government agencies, funders, and community organizations.
• Success securing research revenue through grants, corporate support, individual donors, sponsored research, and other mission-aligned funding.
• Strong understanding of scientific governance, peer review, research ethics, conflict-of-interest management, grants administration, budget oversight, and compliance expectations.
• Ability to lead cross-functional work and integrate research priorities with broader mission strategy.
• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and executive communication skills, including the ability to explain complex scientific issues clearly to scientific and nonscientific audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a national organization while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Create and lead a multi-year strategy establishing the Research Institute as a distinctive national leader in lung research, identifying areas where the American Lung Association can contribute uniquely and have the greatest impact.
• Lead a high-performing Research Institute team and serve as a principal spokesperson for the Association’s research portfolio.
• Partner with Communications to translate research priorities, discoveries, outcomes, and mission impact for scientific and nonscientific audiences, and strengthen visibility and relationships across scientific, academic, healthcare, and funding communities.
• Partner with Development to grow research revenue, cultivate government, foundation, corporate, and individual donor support, develop strategic funding partnerships, and secure investment while protecting scientific integrity and organizational independence.
• Integrate research across the Association’s mission by partnering with Advocacy and Public Policy, Health Promotions, and the Lung HelpLine; translate evidence into policy priorities, programs, services, and public education, while incorporating organizational needs and community perspectives into research priorities.
• Lead major research platforms, including Awards and Grants and the Airways Clinical Research Centers Network, with responsibility for scientific excellence, growth, performance, and partnerships.
• Develop effective ways to communicate funded research goals, discoveries, and outcomes to the public, donors, volunteers, government, and other partners.
• Build ongoing relationships with researchers and connect their work and accomplishments more directly to the Association and its mission.
• Ensure epidemiology, biostatistics, analytics, and evaluation capabilities to demonstrate research outcomes and impact and support organizational decision-making.
• Oversee research administration, scientific review, governance, compliance, budgets, federal awards, reporting, and performance.

Benefits

• Paid leave: 10 vacation days in the first year and 15 days thereafter, 2 personal days, 15 sick days per year, and 12 company-paid holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave for eligible employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and eligible dependents.
• Voluntary critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, short-term disability, and supplemental life/AD&D insurance plans.
• Company-paid life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance coverage.
• 401(k) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with matching employer contributions up to 4% and year-end discretionary non-elective contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree