National SVP, Food & Nutrition Initiatives

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values, where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a National SVP, Food & Nutrition Initiatives!

This position can be home-based.

The American Heart Association has long been committed to developing food and nutrition science, educating consumers on healthy dietary choices and driving policies at the community, state and federal levels to ensure and expand access to healthy food. 

More recently, the Heart Association has launched national and global food initiatives like Health Care by Food and the Periodic Table of Food, creating new opportunities for significant policy advancements, the acceleration of food science, and commercialization opportunities that have the potential to transform the world’s food supply.

The organization is now seeking a leader to unify an enterprise-wide Food & Nutrition portfolio, establishing strategy, partnerships, business models, and initiatives that advance food and nutrition as a foundational driver of cardiovascular, metabolic, brain, and overall health.

Responsibilities

The role will direct portfolio development across science, healthcare systems, advocacy, community impact, consumer engagement, and strategic partnerships. The role will also serve as the Heart Association's executive leader for food and nutrition innovation and for integrating strategies across organizational priorities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Enterprise Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement the Association's Food & Nutrition strategy in collaboration with AHA scientific staff and volunteer leadership.
• Align food and nutrition initiatives across science, advocacy, healthcare, community, and consumer portfolios.
• Identify emerging opportunities that strengthen AHA's leadership in nutrition, food science and systems, nutrition security, and food-is-medicine.

Partnership Development & Revenue Growth

• Develop strategic relationships with health systems, payers, employers, foundations, policymakers, researchers, and industry partners.
• Identify and cultivate new revenue opportunities, sponsorships, grants, and investment opportunities.
• Expand funding and partnership models that support portfolio growth.

Innovation & Market Development

• Evaluate emerging trends, technologies, consumer needs, and market opportunities for new philanthropic and commercial ventures.
• Advance innovative approaches that connect evidence-based food and nutrition interventions with scalable adoption pathways.
• Collaborate with AHA Ventures and other innovation assets to accelerate growth.

Thought Leadership & External Representation

• Serve as a senior spokesperson and leader with vision on nutrition, food science and food systems.
• Represent the Association at national and international forums.
• Build coalitions that strengthen AHA's role as a trusted authority in food, nutrition and health.

Success Measures

• Growth in funding and strategic partnerships.
• Increased engagement and relevance with consumers and patients.
• Enterprise integration of food and nutrition strategy.
• Policy and systems-level impact.
• Measurable health outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum Ten (10) years of relevant experience.
• Minimum eight (8) years of supervisory experience.
• Business Acumen, Change Management, Effective Communication, Managing Complexity, Planning and Organizing, Prioritization.
• Process Management, Program Management, Project Cost Management, Project Lifecycle Management, Project Planning
• Project Risk Management, Quality Management, Resource Management, Scope Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Systems Thinking.
• Cross-Team Integration, Motivating Others, Organizational Leadership, Performance Management, Fostering Teamwork.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary minimum to the midpoint of the range is $233,200.00 to $275,000.00. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply to the pay range. This position is eligible for an incentive plan. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. 

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; this position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets. This position is eligible for an incentive plan.
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution.  As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program.  Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees.  The number of days will increase based on seniority level.  You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees.  This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities