Sr. Program Lead, Integrated Care Initiative

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 American Heart Association is seeking a dynamic Senior Program Lead, Integrated Care Initiative to join our Integrated Care Initiatives team, with flexibility for remote candidates.

 This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, grant-funded opportunity, with current funding through June of 2028.

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.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the VP of Integrated Care Initiatives, you will contribute to a national effort to advance cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health through coordinated, whole-person care, drive cross-functional alignment, and practical implementation.

In this role, you will provide leadership for the CKM Health Initiative and related projects, helping translate strategy into actionable workplans, coordinate implementation across teams and partners, and support efforts that improve care coordination for people with cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic conditions.

This leader will help align internal teams, volunteers, funders, and strategic collaborators around shared goals, measurable outcomes, and patient-centered approaches that advance CKM health, clinical quality, health equity, and population health impact.

Here are some of the essential job duties:

CKM Strategy and Support

• Contribute to the development and execution of CKM Health Initiative strategies that advance integrated, whole-person care for cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic condition, with a focus on the annual planning cycle
• Support governance structures, partnership frameworks, and shared accountability models for CKM-related workstreams.
• Represent the AHA in external forums, coalitions, and advisory groups as appropriate to advance CKM Health Initiative priorities.

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead CKM-related workstreams from planning through implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable work plans with defined milestones, KPIs, deliverables, and decision points.
• Align CKM Health Initiative activities with broader Integrated Care Initiatives goals and related AHA priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

• Build trusted relationships with clinical experts, strategic collaborator leaders, internal teams and other key stakeholders to advance CKM priorities.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder convenings to drive alignment, address barriers, and accelerate implementation decisions.
• Develop clear briefing materials, updates, and partner communications for senior leadership and external stakeholders.

 Measurement and Impact

• Define and track metrics to evaluate CKM Health Initiative progress, partner engagement, implementation readiness, and impact.
• Monitor progress toward shared goals and identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities for escalation.
• Prepare executive-level reports and dashboards demonstrating progress, outcomes, and return on strategic investment.

Operational and Financial Oversight

• Support budgets, timelines, contracts, and resource planning for CKM Health Initiative workstreams.
• Support funding proposals, sustainability planning, and partner-facing materials aligned with initiative goals.
• Ensure workstreams comply with organizational policies, funder requirements, and relevant regulatory expectations.

Want to help get your resume to the top? We are looking for your expertise in the following areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in public health, health care administration, clinical program management, business, communications, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of validated experience in program development, program management, stakeholder engagement, or strategic initiative execution. 7+ years of relevant experience is preferred.
• Experience supporting complex health initiatives, including work planning, implementation, measurement, and reporting.
• Experience in public health, health care, nonprofit, or mission-driven environments.
• Ability to synthesize complex information, build business cases, and identify opportunities to advance initiative goals.
• Ability to influence leadership and partners without direct authority.
• Ability to communicate and present ideas clearly across diverse clinical, community, partner, and executive audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven ability to simultaneously lead multiple, complex workstreams in varying stages of development under time constraints.
• Self-motivated, highly effective organizational and analytical skills, communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills.
• Validated ability to participate in or facilitate meetings with internal and external partners while representing the Association professionally.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive execution in complex, cross-functional environments.
• Knowledge of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, care coordination, or implementation science.
• Proven critical thinking skills in assessing needs, resources, risks, and opportunities to implement new and existing programs efficiently.
• Knowledge of health systems, professional societies, patient advocacy organizations, public health agencies, and best practices for engaging them.
• Proven ability to simultaneously lead multiple, complex workstreams in varying stages of development under time constraints.

Compensation & Benefits

The expected pay range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. 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; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.  
• 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