Director - Board on Global Health

Job Description Summary:

Do you want to work with a prestigious scientific institution that has a direct impact on policy? Are you ready to develop and lead a portfolio on global health projects? We invite you to bring your expertise and passion to the nation’s most trusted voice on complex issues in health, science, and technology. The work we do not only promotes scientific research and understanding but also informs actions taken by Congress, government agencies, industry, and other decision-makers to advance global health programs, public health policies, research agendas, and other realms.

We are seeking a proven, visionary leader who excels in building relationships, fundraising, and delivering impactful products that help shape our work in meeting health challenges facing leaders across the globe. You’ll work closely with a group of medical, scientific, and other technical experts who volunteer their time to advise on the work of the Board. You will also lead a team of smart, talented, mission-driven staff who care deeply about the work they do.

The Director will lead a program area that has been a critical component of the National Academies’ for almost 30 years. This portfolio, which includes convening experts, holding workshops, and delivering peer-reviewed reports, has advanced understanding and guided future actions on topics including:

• Emerging infectious diseases
• PEPFAR
• Influenza preparedness
• Antibiotic resistance
• Violence prevention globally

The successful candidate will have a depth of experience in global health; strong executive management skills; proven experience in stewarding and growing relationships with international, federal, state, and private sponsors; experience supervising staff and fostering their growth; and established networks within the global health community. The successful candidate will be dedicated to advancing a culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among the staff and in all activities conducted under the auspices of the Board. The position reports to the Executive Director of the National Academies’ Health and Medicine Division.

COVER LETTER REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION.

Job Description:

The Board Director is responsible for program development to build the project portfolio for the board, overseeing budget and staff management, and the quality execution of all the work done on behalf of the institution.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• In consultation with division leadership, board staff, and volunteer board chair and members, develops and maintains an impactful, interdisciplinary portfolio of projects/programs, and raises money to support those projects/programs. Establishes a vision and working strategy for studies and activities conducted within the program/board.

• Responsible for program/project development. Maintains current and develops new relationships with prospective sponsors and other external contacts.

• Plans, conducts, and directs work on projects and programs. Oversees the management of numerous complex projects, assembles or oversees the roundtables/forums, committees, and/or study panels and their staff and provides oversight and guidance to the conduct of their work.

• Promotes a workplace culture that encourages cross-unit collaboration and teamwork with other HMD boards, and boards in other divisions across the National Academies. Develops and maintains relationships with colleagues and works together to create prospectuses and fundraise.

• Responds to requests for studies/projects, negotiating scope of work and budget, and independently develops high-impact programs/projects and negotiates funding with sponsors. Performs fundraising activities. Prepares proposals. Oversees management of contracts. Mentors staff at appropriate levels in program development activities.

• Provides leadership and mentors employees. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies. Initiates personnel actions, including performance and compensation reviews and disciplinary actions.

• Maintains communication and productive working relationships with program volunteers. Plans and develops agendas for semiannual meetings of the Board on Global Health’s oversight committee.  

• Oversees financial management of the unit. Participates in business planning, conducts status meetings, coordinates logistical issues, and implements planning, scheduling, and procedural changes.

• Oversees the report process during writing, report review, and report re