Senior Director, Early Detection

At the American Cancer Society, we're leading the fight for a world without cancer. Our employees and 1.5 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds including communities of color, the LGBTQ community, veterans, and people with disabilities. The greater the diversity of our people, the better we can 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.

Under minimal supervision and with broad independent judgment and authority, this role directs the organization’s cancer risk reduction program of work to drive measurable change in cancer care delivery across the U.S. As a key component of the overall Patient Support Strategy, this position has advanced knowledge in cancer screening, emerging early detection technologies (MCEDs and other blood-based screening tests), polymutation genetic testing, risk scoring, and lifestyle medicine. The role leverages advanced knowledge in the field to set strategy for the entire Patient Support Pillar while also playing an important external role. Major focus areas are developing professional-facing education and capacity-building offerings for primary care clinicians and health systems (i.e. FQHCs, large national primary care systems, and other safety-net settings) that are implemented across the nation in collaboration with other Patient Support teams. Additional focus areas including leading strategy and development for patient-facing information and programs to support early detection including genetic testing and counseling. Serves as the Patient Support lead for cancer screening, early detection, and vaccination internally and externally and works in partnership with the entire Patient Support pillar and other parts of the organization to implement programs and initiatives. This position manages a program budget that includes restricted and unrestricted funds and directs a staff team with expertise in clinical care delivery, public health programming, and policy development. Serves as a national thought leader and Patient Support representative for a range of external stakeholders including clinical professional organizations, other non-profit organizations, government agencies and others.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads the Patient Support portfolio in cancer screening, early detection and vaccination with key accountabilities to metrics including lives touched, partners engaged, and screening and vaccination rate increases across the nation.
• Directs and supervises a team of experts in early detection, screening and vaccination
• Provides evidenced-based guidance to the organization related to multi-level strategies impacting cancer screening, early detection, and vaccination
• Collaborates internally with ACS CAN to support execution and evaluation of policy issues related to cancer screening and vaccination.
• Represents the Society externally – with partners, to the media, advisory groups, and  other stakeholders – on a broad range of cancer screening and vaccination topics, including but not limited to factors related to HPV vaccination rates, cancer screening rates,; evidenced-based strategies that impact issues throughout the cancer control continuum; and emerging issues such as identifying and support individuals with increased risk of cancer.
• Supports the development and implementation of a revenue model to support piloting, expansion and ongoing evaluation of cancer screening and vaccination initiatives including but not limited to grants, foundation funding, and corporate sponsors, in collaboration with Development.
• Contributes to the scientific literature on effective approaches to cancer screening, early detection and cancer prevention vaccination.
• Establishes and maintains collaborations, and supervises staff who establish and maintain collaborations, with national and international organizations having a shared mission in expanding and supporting multi-level cancer support interventions.
• Serves on expert groups and Federal Advisory Committees; recruits high-level professionals and volunteers to lead and participate in ACS activities and committees.
• Creates opportunities, and supervises staff who create opportunities, for new partnerships and target audiences.
• Reviews new scientific evidence to assess potential impact on Patient Support programs, strategies, and recommendations.
• Fosters strong and continuous relationships with the entire Patient Support Pillar by providing clinical leadership, strategic guidance, and support for execution of existing and new programs and initiatives.  
• Publicizes findings of cancer prevention and early detection related studies by speaking at professional meetings; consult and interpret results of studies with the external organizations, including the media, as a national thought leader.
• Develops proposals, and supervises staff who develop proposals, for externally funded grants; may serve as Principal Investigator for awarded grants; ensures implementation of work plans, oversees the preparation of grant reports, and provides budget oversight and compliance.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE:     

MD/DO within a primary care specialty and/or equivalent experience and/or advanced degree in other clinical field, health care administration, nonprofit administration or related field or comparable degree or equivalent experience plus experience in account management, program delivery and execution against fundraising principles with a minimum 5-7 years of leadership and management experience.  

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:   

 Demonstrates ACS (American Cancer Society) Leadership Competencies: 

• People-First Mindset – Demonstrates genuine care of ACS’s people by providing meaningful work, offering opportunities for professional development, and valuing work-life balance of team members.  
• Organizational Savvy – Demonstrates clear understanding of organizational culture and effectively navigates through complex company dynamics, championing organization initiatives.  
• Decision quality - Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. 
• Business Knowledge – Applying business knowledge and industry best practices to advance the organization’s goals and inform data-driven decision making.  
• Leadership Courage – Stepping up to address tough organizational issues and demonstrates conviction and courage to do what is right. 
• Strategic Mindset - Sees future possibilities ahead and translates them into breakthrough strategies.  

Knowledge and Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of clinical care delivery,  public health, and policy and program development.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate complex scientific research and translate into effective and feasible programs;
• Ability to cultivate relationships with targeted systems/organizations and diverse populations to create sense of urgency related to awareness of cancer as a major health problem and motivate to action in access to timely and quality treatment.
• Ability to create consensus among cross-functional staff and bring closure to projects/initiatives.
• Ability to conceptualize, develop and write public health proposals in response to RFAs and private sector donors requests.
• Understanding of effective grants and contracts management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to provide vision and leadership for a complex enterprise.
• Ability to create a team atmosphere that inspires excellence and enthusiasm.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and programs.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
• Ability to communicate with volunteers, staff, and constituencies from multiple organizations, and to provide strategic guidance in a collaborative, consultative, and positive manner.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to collaborate with multiple organizations/agencies

SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Position requires travel (primarily domestic)
• Ability to solve problems promptly and appropriately.
• Ability to write and develop grant proposals, scientific presentations and publications, and organization position papers
• Ability to lead team of mid-level leaders and staff
• Ability to work within a consensus-building business environment and diverse range of teams across the enterprise
• Ability to facilitate change effectively within ACS culture; create culture change as appropriate

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/GIVEN

DIRECT SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

SVP, Cancer Prevention

DIRECT SUPERVISION GIVEN: 

Early Detection Team - Sr. Director, Early Detection, Program Manager, Early Detection; HPV Vaccination team - Sr. Director, Director and 3 Program Managers

CONTACTS

INTERNAL CONTACTS:       

All Patient Support Pillar Teams (Cancer Support, Medical & Health Content, Partnerships & Capacity Building, Strategy and Operations), Discovery, Advocacy, Development, Marketing & Communications, Finance, SPO, volunteers

EXTERNAL CONTACTS:      

Multi-sector partner organizations including: government agencies (e.g., NCI, CMS, CDC etc), private sector organizations, clinical professional organizations, health systems, NGOs, and corporations 

The starting rate is $120,000 to $140,000. 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

The American Cancer Society 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 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.

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