National Director, Program Development, Health Science

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 has an excellent opportunity for a National Director, Program Development in Health Science .

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, grant-funded opportunity. Current funding will expire on 7/31/2029, with the possibility of extension.

The National Director, Program Development, supports the development, execution, and implementation of mission-aligned projects funded by corporate sources. This role is responsible for leading teams to successfully implement funded initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, and maintaining accountability for deliverables, timelines, budgets, outcomes, and dissemination strategy. This role provides guidance, strategy, and management to multiple program consultants and coordinators responsible for the daily implementation activities of funded initiatives. Responsible for leading and managing program consultants, managers, and project coordinators. Responsible for owning and consulting on strategy for multiple funded initiatives within the portfolio of the Healthcare Quality Solutions & Development team. Working closely with the Senior Director, corporate relations, and grant writing manager, this position also contributes to concept development and proposal planning, helping to translate mission-aligned priorities into actionable programs. Responsible for developing and maintaining key partner relationships internally and externally to achieve successful project implementation.

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

• Lead implementation of funded initiatives by supervising project planning, initiative, and stakeholder recruitment, execution, monitoring, and evaluation.

• Lead team of program consultants, program managers, and project coordinators to ensure coordination, performance, and achievement of project milestones and deliverables.

• Contribute to proposal development by collaborating with the senior director and grant writing manager on program design, logic models, timelines, staffing plans, and budget development.

• Supervise budgets and contracts by providing strategic guidance on project expenditures and tracking budget spend.

• Apply Quality Improvement Frameworks to drive measurable improvements across participating sites and projects within the portfolio.

• Facilitate communication among internal departments, external partners, and funders through regular updates, strategic meetings, and the dissemination of results.

• Ensure timely reporting of outcomes, challenges, and key findings.

• Provide strategic guidance for dissemination efforts, working closely with marketing to share key insights through presentations, abstract submissions, toolkits, webinars, and podcasts.

• Ensure that project staff have the tools and resources to successfully implement the assigned program. Provide training and coaching on assigned projects in the portfolio, including best practices and successful implementation strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Business Nonprofit Management, or related field, or equivalent experience.

• 3 years of experience in healthcare programs or project management.

• 3 years of direct people leadership experience.

• Experience in healthcare or in a public health-related organization with clinical, quality improvement, program development, or systems improvement responsibilities.

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

• Ability to lead teams and run 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.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication .

• Ability to function independently with minimal direction.

• Ability to work in a team environment and collaborate with all levels of American Heart Association staff, volunteers, and the public .

• Comprehensive Microsoft Office suite skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Ability to travel up to 25% local and overnight stay.

Compensation & Benefits

The expected pay range will be $109,900 to $146,600. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply to the pay range. 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.

• 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

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Default: Location : Location US-TX-Dallas

Posted Date (10/20/2026 12:53 PM)

Requisition ID 2026-18350

Job Category Science & Research

Position Type Full Time