Associate director, state partnerships

At the American Cancer Society, we're working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Our employees and 1.3 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We are a culture comprised of diverse backgrounds and experience, to better 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.

The Associate Director serves as a strategic connector and catalyst for advancing the American Cancer Society’s mission through high-impact partnerships across the cancer care continuum. This specialized role engages with payors, government agencies, and state associations to influence policy and provider practices while driving KPIs and ACS pillar priorities. Through strategic collaboration with Medicaid, Medicare, health plans, health departments, and cancer coalitions, the Associate Director plays a critical role in integrating pillar priorities, mobilizing partners, and aligning local efforts with national goals to deliver coordinated, patient-centered cancer care. By aligning key performance indicators with organizational priorities, the Associate Director ensures progress toward pillar metrics and improved health outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Build and manage high-impact relationships with state-level partners – including health plans, Medicaid agencies, health departments, and cancer coalitions – to strengthen collaboration and advance ACS priorities across the cancer care continuum. 30%
• Align ACS pillar priorities through strategic account management, partner engagement, and cross-sector collaboration ensuring coordinated, patient-centered cancer care that improves access and outcomes. 20%
• Convene and engage diverse stakeholders to implement evidence-based strategies, influence policy, and accelerate system-level improvements that improve access, quality, and equity in care. 20%
• Provide technical assistance and share resources to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions and best practices. 15%
• Cultivate and support health care and community champions to drive system-level policies and practices that increase access to care and improve outcomes. 15%

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor's Degree Bachelor’s degree in public health, health administration, healthcare, nonprofit management, or a related field required; equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Preferred Degree: Bachelor's Degree

Years of experience: Over five years of progressive experience in healthcare-related management, administration, and account oversight, with a strong track record in executive relationship development and strategic stakeholder engagement, including volunteer coordination.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Deep understanding of Medicaid and Medicare practices and policies to influence coverage, reimbursement, and cost strategies.
• Extensive experience in cultivating relationships with health systems, community organizations, and volunteers to create urgency around cancer awareness, motivate action across the cancer continuum, and guide strategic initiatives.
• Skilled in designing outcome-based interventions, educational processes, and conducting evaluations to ensure measurable impact.
• Strong ability to represent the American Cancer Society effectively and professionally to health systems, cancer programs, administrative, agency, and community leaders, including working with disparate populations and diverse constituents.
• Ability to use health center data, chronic disease trends, and interpret cancer statistics to inform strategic decisions.
• Maintains current knowledge of scientific research and best practices through continuous learning, training participation, and engagement in enterprise and regional initiatives.
• Skilled in applying knowledge of program development, outcome-based interventions, educational processes, and evaluations.
• Demonstrates experience with state and community-based program planning and implementation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of health care markets, insurance structures, managed care systems, primary care infrastructures, and government policies including Medicaid, Medicare, and oncology payment models.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Travel, including evening and weekend work required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

NA

The starting rate is $80,000 to $85,000. 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.

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.