Senior Director, Advocacy Health Equity - Remote

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The Senior Director, Advocacy Health Equity, is a critical leadership role that will develop a strategic vision to guide ACS CAN’s health equity agenda with matrixed (dotted line) responsibility for five organizational directors. The Senior Director will lead development of a plan, periodic compilations of work accomplished and reports that serve as a guidepost internally and externally to advance defined markers and strategic action to benefit the communities ACS CAN serves. The successful candidate will possess leadership presence, communication skills and the confidence to collaborate with leaders across the enterprise to drive measurable integration and accountability for health equity relationships and strategies and integrate principles of equity, justice, and inclusion into daily work. The Senior Director will also provide leadership and support for ACS CAN’s workplace inclusion efforts and engage with the enterprise DEI team to contribute to enterprise-wide strategic objectives.

***This is a remote position that can be home based anywhere in the United States. Experienced leader with health equity through advocacy, policy, and programmatic deliverables is required.***

Major Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a multi-year organizational strategy and operational plan to promote evidence-based cancer equity working closely with senior leaders at ACS CAN and across the Enterprise.
• Design and create a roadmap to guide cancer equity advocacy program of work, through the development and execution of an advocacy health equity annual work plan, incorporating all functional areas of ACS CAN.
• Conceptualize and put in place metrics and accountability measures to ensure the organization establishes and meets cancer health equity goals through inclusive practices and strategies.
• Lead and guide execution of plan including aligning work around a strategic vision (policy development, communications, fundraising, volunteer engagement, grassroots activation, and local, state, and federal campaigns and lobbying). Lead advocacy health equity agenda in a matrix structure, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team. Convene health equity group.
• Foster strong and continuous organizational and external relationships by providing leadership, strategic guidance, and support for executing existing and new programs and initiatives. Serve as a health equity thought leaders, presenting externally, engaging partners, funders, and other stakeholders.  
• Provide leadership and support for ACS CAN’s workplace inclusion efforts.
• Partner across Enterprise to increase engagement with internal and external stakeholders, partners and potential donors to achieve further impact on cancer equity measures of success.
• Compile and analyze cancer health equity advocacy efforts, translate insights and build a cohesive narrative regarding ACS CAN’s health equity work.
• Serve as ACS CAN’s primary liaison with the ACS Enterprise DEI team, coordinating efforts and leveraging expertise and resources that will support our collective work.
• Serve as a member of ACS CAN’s Senior Leadership Team and provide leadership and strategic insights on organizational work, direction, policies, and operations.
• Translate the health equity field through the cancer lens and maintain relationships and lead engagement with partners in the cancer health equity space.
  
  

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE

• BA/BS or equivalent
• 12 years' experience as a leader with a proven track-record and passion for health equity through advocacy, policy, and programmatic deliverables.
• 5 years people and program management
  
  

SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR KNOWLEDGE

• Strong strategic thinking skills and experience designing and implementing high-level program strategy in an organizational/institutional setting.
• Understanding of heath equity and experience driving policy solutions to achieve meaningful change.
• Experience collaborating with and managing a team. This position has matrix management responsibilities. Experience in highly integrated organizations.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing relationships with partners, coalition members, or clients in a nonprofit, campaign, or movement setting related to health equity.
• Excellent convening and facilitation skills with strong public speaking skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated expertise in communicating and mobilizing around health and racial equity.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills; practical judgment to move work forward; flexibility and ability to adapt to changing needs, coupled with sound judgment and strong decision-making skills.
• An action-oriented leader, with a zest for presenting new ideas and a deep knowledge of existing relationships with key organizations, agencies, and individuals in the health equity field.
• Representation and service as a health equity ambassador or champion with related experience integrating principles of equity, justice, and inclusion into daily work.
• Demonstrated understanding of metrics, communicating effectiveness and translating health equity impact stories into inspired action and change.
• Creative thinking and high emotional intelligence.
• Commitment to ACS CAN’s mission, including commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  
  

Competencies/Skills

• Identify appropriate level or job family competencies necessary to be successful.
• Identify those skills (around 5) which will enable the incumbent to apply the required knowledge effectively (include Critical Skills).
  
  

SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to travel 10—20%
• Available for nights, weekend on occasion
• Occasional work from office
  
  

The starting range is $117,000 to $160,000 annual. 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 Cancer Action Network 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 CAN 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.