Partner Relationship Manager

Heartland Whole Health Institute is a non-profit that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being by working with health systems, employers, and communities to redesign health care delivery.

Job Description:

Job Title: Partner Relationship Manager

Reports to: Vice President, Value-Based Initiatives

FLSA Classification: Exempt
Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

Date Reviewed: 10/29/2025

Who We Are

Heartland Whole Health Institute (HWHI) is dedicated to transforming health care – beginning in our home of Northwest Arkansas and scaling to disrupt the national health crisis. We advocate, educate, and guide the implementation of an innovative system, rooted in whole health and the realignment of financial incentives. Our team members are collaborative, analytical, mission-driven, and working together to change the status quo.

The Institute’s 85,000-square-foot facility is located on the campus of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art near Alice L. Walton School of Medicine.

About The Position

The Partner Relationship Manager leads the development, coordination, and management of external partnerships that support a 5-year longitudinal study of a comprehensive whole health program designed to improve cardiometabolic disease management. This position plays a key role in identifying, procuring, and managing vendors and community partners to ensure effective and compliant delivery of program components.

Prior to project go live, this role oversees vendor procurement, operationalizes program components requiring partnerships with community-based organizations and employers, and supports vendor and partner onboarding and training to ensure full ecosystem integration. After project go live, the Partner Relationship Manager ensures vendor and partner performance is tracked, compliant, and continuously improving through structured accountability and collaboration.

The Partner Relationship Manager works cross-functionally within HWHI, across workstreams, and collaborates closely with the AWE Procurement and Legal teams to ensure alignment with enterprise policies, contracting standards, and risk management practices. This role fosters strong, collaborative relationships that advance program goals, ensures effective partner engagement, and supports the success of HWHI’s initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Procurement, Contracting, and Integration

• Lead the development and administration of the RFI process, ensuring alignment with program goals and compliance standards.
• Oversee communication and RFI submission tracking for vendor procurement.
• Lead the evaluation, scoring, and selection process in collaboration with the review committee and HWHI senior leadership.
• Oversee due diligence, contracting, and readiness assessments for selected vendors, and maintain ongoing relationships to ensure performance, alignment, and responsiveness as the project progresses.
• Partner with the AWE Procurement team to align procurement activities with best practices, supplier evaluation criteria, and contract negotiation standards.
• Collaborate with the AWE Procurement team on RFP execution, supplier research, pricing analysis, and documentation to ensure consistency with AWE’s procurement systems and workflows (e.g., Workday, Strategic Sourcing, and Melon).
• Work with the AWE Legal team to review and finalize contract terms, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and mitigate organizational risk.
• Monitor vendor contract renewals, amendments, and extensions to ensure continuity of service, budget alignment, and timely renewals in coordination with AWE Procurement and Legal.
• Contribute to budget planning and forecasting for vendor and partner expenditures, ensuring cost alignment with project financial goals.
• Develop structured onboarding, orientation, and training processes for new vendors and partners.
• Ensure data, reporting, and operational integration with program systems.
• Collaborate across workstreams to align vendor deliverables with broader program objectives.
• Oversee the multi-modal and cross-partner outreach and recruitment of participants for the program.

Partner Performance and Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendors and partners, cultivating long-term, trust-based relationships that promote shared learning and alignment with HWHI’s whole health mission.
• Facilitate regular partner forums or check-ins to share best practices, address operational challenges, and foster collaboration across the ecosystem.
• Operationalize vendor KPIs and performance track