Strategic Director, ACS National Navigation Roundtable

At the American Cancer Society, we're leading the fight for a world without cancer. Our employees and 1.5 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds including communities of color, the LGBTQ community, veterans, and people with disabilities. The greater the diversity of our people, the better we can serve our communities.

The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

Under the direction of the VP, National Roundtables & Coalitions, the strategic director provides thought-leadership and strategic development in sustainable patient navigation programs for the American Cancer Society National Navigation Roundtable (ACS NNRT). This position leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation ACS NNRT priority initiatives and projects.

The strategic director provides leadership support to the volunteer-led roundtable and facilitates and supports strategic decision-making by working with and through the ACS NNRT Tri-Chairs and Steering Committee as well as providing leadership support to the ACS NNRT standing committees and strategic priority teams and workgroups. The strategic director recruits, cultivates, and manages high-level volunteers including leading clinical and scientific subject matters experts and leaders of academic institutions, cancer centers, community cancer centers, patient advocacy organizations, governmental agencies, private sector organizations, and corporations. This position identifies emerging science and trends, translating applied research, formulating science-based public health strategies, and builds external partnerships to advance a patient navigation sustainability model.

The strategic director will manage a program manager and collaborate with teams across the patient support pillar including cancer prevention, cancer treatment access, patient navigation initiatives, medical and health content as well as with ACS CAN, development, communications and marketing, and digital solutions. The position will represent ACS externally through collaborative initiatives and national, regional, and state conferences, workgroups, and meetings. The strategic director will work closely with the VP and development team to cultivate funding support and provide required reporting.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops strategy and programming to advance priority initiatives and projects for the ACS NNRT.  

• With key ACS and roundtable leaders, develops and ensures the implementation of the roundtable’s strategic plan and communicates progress on the implementation of the plan with membership as well as ACS leadership.  

• Recruits and manages key leadership volunteer roles of the roundtable including the Tri-Chairs, Steering Committee, priority task group chairs, and standing committees as well as organizational and corporate member representatives.  

• Oversees the roundtable’s membership recruitment and management processes.  

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates the work of the ACS NNRT Program Manager. 

• Develops and manages the ACS NNRT annual plan and budget. Works collaboratively with business operations and finance department to complete quarterly forecasting and annual budget planning.

• Ensures the development and implementation of a communications plan to keep roundtable leaders, members, funders, and other key stakeholders informed of the roundtable priority initiatives and impact. Develops and maintains website and communications systems as needed. 

• Works with and across the Business Unit on data collection, tracking and reporting of the Pillar Metrics and in support of the roundtable evaluation plan.  

• Oversees the planning and implementation of in-person and virtual events and committee/task group meetings ranging in size from 12 to 200 attendees. 

• Monitors science and trends, emerging issues, and best practices in patient navigation and across the cancer care continuum. 

• Builds relationships across the Patient Support, Discovery, and Advocacy Pillars as well as with Development team members to ensure alignment and coordination.  

• With ACS development team members, develops and writes cases for support and proposals for sponsorship and grant funding.  

• With ACS NNRT leadership volunteers and enterprise team members, develops scientific publications, position papers, and policy documents. Develops and delivers professional presentations.  

• Conducts special projects and initiatives as needed. 

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE

• Master's or PhD in health-related field, including MPH or clinical degree (MSN, MSW) [preferred] or requisite experience in health care delivery settings with related undergraduate degree (e.g., RN, BSW). Experience in patient navigation in cancer, cancer science, clinical delivery, administration, public health work, or research preferred.  

• Robust experience in planning and implementing collaborative initiatives.   

• Formal cancer care delivery knowledge and related work experience strongly preferred.  

• Established network within the cancer care community. 

COMPETENIES/SKILLS   

ACS Leadership Competencies

• People-First Mindset: Demonstrates genuine care of ACS's people by providing meaningful work, offering opportunities for progression and professional development, and valuing work-life balance for all team members. Works to ensure every employee feels respected and that the organization cares for them individually.

• Leadership Courage: Stepping up to address tough organizational issues and delivers messages clearly, directly, and respectfully; Demonstrates conviction and courage to do what's right.

• Organizational Savvy: Demonstrates a clear understanding of organizational culture and effectively navigates comfortably through complex company dynamics and champions organization initiatives.

• Strategic Mindset: Leverages the organization’s capabilities to deliver impactful results, seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.

• Business Knowledge: Applying business knowledge and industry best practices to advance the organization’s goals and inform data-driven decision making.

• Accountability: Holds self and team accountable for outcomes and achieving high standards; Proactively communicates status of work progress.

Other Skills:

• Demonstrated skill in developing and implementing strategy through coalitions and other high-level collaborations.

• Demonstrated skill in agenda development and meeting facilitation, both in-person and virtual settings.

• Demonstrated skill in directing and managing programs, team members, and volunteers.

• Demonstrated skill in managing complex budgets with multiple funding sources.

• Ability to manage internal and external stakeholders and partners.

• Outstanding interpersonal, relationship management and communication skills, including public speaking, written communication, and proposal development.

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.

• Ability to effectively manage and facilitate committees, task groups.

• Ability to effectively manage staff.

SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Remote work location with required travel for in-person meetings and events.

The starting rate is $102,000 to $120,000. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

The American Cancer Society has adopted a vaccination policy that requires all staff, regardless of position or work location, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (except where prohibited by state law).

ACS provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.