Director, Community Health Outreach

As Director of Community Health Outreach at the American Kidney Fund (AKF), you will be responsible for our portfolio of nationwide health outreach activities and initiatives which provide education, public health screenings, and outreach to populations at risk for kidney disease. Reporting to the Senior Director of Health Initiatives and Education, you will be instrumental in developing the strategic vision and operational procedures for our activities and initiatives. We will look to you to develop, plan, and implement programs, set goals, and manage projects and budgets. You will ensure that our programs help increase awareness of the risks of kidney disease among the general public—especially those at higher risk for the disease. You will see the impact of your team’s efforts in the lives saved each year as a result of these programs.

Leading and mentoring a team, you will set goals, capture metrics, and establish procedures and guidelines to ensure the success of the Know Your Kidneys program. With the support of our leadership and board, you will implement cutting-edge strategies that uphold best practices for program improvements and operational efficiencies. You will explore ways to maximize our community impact through partnerships with like-minded organizations, process improvements, additional services, etc. We will also look to you to maximize and leverage efforts with other departments within AKF to make sure we are all working toward goals in a manner that is synchronized and productive.

Organization

The American Kidney Fund is the nation’s leading nonprofit working on behalf of the 30 million Americans with kidney disease. Our mission is to help people fight kidney disease and live healthier lives, and we fulfill that mission by providing a complete spectrum of programs and services. Ninety-seven cents of every dollar we spend goes to patients and programs. Our steadfast commitment to stewardship of the donated dollar has resulted in the highest ratings from organizations that evaluate charities, including being named a Top 10 Charity by Charity Navigator, placing AKF on Charity Navigator's list of the Top 10 charities to receive the most consecutive 4-Star ratings.

Responsibilities of the Director, Community Health Outreach

Program Management

• In alignment with our strategic operating plan, provide evidence-based public health education, targeted health screenings, and engagement for those at risk for kidney disease.
• Manage all health initiatives screening events from concept to service delivery for a variety of venues, ranging from small, local events to large-scale events held in conjunction with partner organizations. Assume full responsibility for all program planning, delivery, evaluation, and reporting activities.
• Provide programmatic vision and recommend overall strategic direction for all health initiative efforts, including changes in strategic approaches and tactics to ensure that efforts are optimal to address changing needs and environment.
• Develop standardized education and program delivery materials, following internal branding guidelines.
• Manage databases; compile and disseminate screening and follow-up results.
• Proactively identify opportunities for competitive vendor services, including lab fees and other services. Skillfully negotiate vendor contract terms as needed and provide price analyses to the senior director and/or VP, by request.

Team Leadership

• Provide mentorship, coaching, and leadership to team and staff; reliably identify and proactively suggest opportunities for professional growth of self and staff; plan, monitor, and objectively appraise job results; conduct training; and implement effective systems.
• Ensure staff and volunteers are sufficiently trained and are regularly given formal and/or informal constructive feedback and affirmation related to job performance.
• Collaborate with the senior director to develop and provide leadership to subordinate staff to implement programs in a manner that demonstrates a clear understanding of best practices in public health, cultural competence, and social determinants of health, as they relate to chronic kidney disease.
• Collaborate across departments, including communications, fundraising, government relations, and operations, to ensure successful screening events; ensure the health initiatives team maintains adherence to the same positive collaboration.
• Develop an annual budget and manage program expenses within budgetary constraints.

Process Improvement

• Provide evidence-based recommendations for program development, program improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and tools to ensure consistent and high-quality delivery of screening services at events. Conduct necessary process improvement activities to capture lessons learned and update strategic operating plans accordingly.
• Conduct frequent and ongoing evaluation activities, including process, outcome, and impact evaluations, which accurately and reliably assess program effectiveness.
• Proactively and promptly identify both immediate and ongoing systemic issues in a manner that demonstrates pragmatism, resourcefulness, creativity, and effective leadership.
• Undertake other duties as assigned to ensure the overall success of the Office of Patient Services and Kidney Disease Education team.

External Relationships

• Actively participate with the fundraising department on reviewing and providing input to grant proposals and ensuring supporting contributors receive the benefits outlined in their sponsorship agreements.
• Initiate and support partnerships and alliances for capacity building, resource sharing, and promoting kidney health.
• Create and deliver polished, customized presentations to internal staff and external audiences, such as leaders of private and public organizations, lay community groups, potential and existing partners, and sponsors.
• Commendably represent AKF at appropriate events and venues in a manner reflective of our organizational interests, values, and standards.