NYSHealth is a private, independent, statewide foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable. NYSHealth began operations in 2006; today, it has approximately $285 million in assets, a $15 million annual grants and operations budget, and a staff of 24.
NYSHealth is an activist philanthropy; we aspire to make change in addition to making grants. We inform health care policy and practice; develop, test, and spread effective programs; serve as a convener of health leaders across the State; and provide technical assistance to grantees and partners. To create change, we deploy all of our capital: financial, reputational, and human. in New York State, we advance an agenda using funding, research and analysis, convening, writing, speaking, publishing, and a robust communications program, among other activities.
Position Overview
Position Overview:
The Vice President for Programs is a principal advisor to the President and CEO on all matters related to Foundation program policies and operations. The Vice President for Programs uses his/her broad experience and expertise to guide efforts throughout the Foundation. The Vice President for Programs plays a leadership role in developing and implementing the goals and strategies of the Foundation. The Vice President for Programs plays a central role in developing the Foundation’s program areas; identifying emerging opportunities and strategic leverage points; building partnerships with other foundations; ensuring quality and accountability; raising the visibility and influence of the Foundation, supervising program staff, promoting collaboration across departments, and evaluating the performance of programs and grantees. The Vice President for Programs is a member of the Foundation’s senior management team and works in a close and collaborative style with the Communications, Policy and Research, and Finance and Operations departments.
Responsibilities:
The Vice President for Programs is responsible for:
A. Program Development and Grantmaking
The Vice President for Programs provides guidance and input to all programs and plays a leadership role to promote synergy across all of the Foundation’s grantmaking. Today, the Foundation concentrates its programmatic work in two strategic priority areas: empowering health care consumers and building healthy communities. It also engages in responsive grantmaking through its special projects fund and maintains a special interest in veterans’ health.
The Vice President for Programs will guide the development of overarching strategies, tactics, and evaluation metrics across all of the Foundation’s programmatic work. S/he has lead responsibility for grantmaking and project development across the Foundation and avoiding siloed approaches while also maintaining clear lines of responsibility among the program staff. S/he has responsibility for ensuring the quality, credibility, and potential impact of grantee work products and materials produced by the Foundation.
B. Management
The Vice President for Programs supervises a program staff of nine professionals. Management responsibilities include hiring, training, motivating, and retaining staff members, evaluating their performance, and ensuring effective collaboration and appropriate opportunities for professional growth and autonomy.
C. Outreach, Public Engagement, and Convenings
The Vice President for Programs plays a leadership role in strengthening the Foundation’s outreach, influence, communications, and dissemination efforts. The Vice President is a spokesperson for the Foundation and is expected to represent the Foundation externally. The Vice President for Programs assists the President and CEO in dealings with a range of external audiences, including the Executive Chamber, the State Legislature, government agencies, and leaders of health care and public health organizations. Related responsibilities include preparing reports, articles, op-eds and letters to the editor, public comments and testimony; conducting briefings for public officials; and representing the Foundation at professional meetings. The Vice President for Programs leads the development, organizing and promotion of the Foundation’s large-scale convenings and helps identify, develop, and implement the Foundation’s activist agenda.
D. Coordination and Collaboration Across Departments
The Vice President for Programs must be a natural collaborator who promotes coordination, communication, and joint efforts within the program staff and between the program staff and other functional areas of the Foundation. The Vice President and his/her staff work especially closely with the Policy and Research, Communications, and Finance and Operations departments. S/he encourages and facilitates the Program Department’s collaboration on preparing analytic reports developed internally by Foundation staff and externally by grantees, engaging in media and outreach efforts, and ensuring adherence to grants management protocols.
Required Experience and Qualifications:
The Vice President for Programs must be a person with broad experience working in the health policy, health care delivery, and/or public health arenas; an individual whose reputation, experience, and connections can personally make a difference in advancing the Foundation’s work; a leader with a proven track record of success; a person with foundation/grantmaking experience and knowledge of the philanthropic community; and a person with awareness and appreciation for the diversity of New York State. The person should be creative, mission-driven, and capable of working collaboratively with other health leaders in the State. The Vice President for Programs must be a strategic, energetic, and forward-thinking leader with a proven record of impact and influence. The person should have proven management experience and a collegial and inclusive style.
Additional qualifications include:
• Advanced degree in a relevant field, preferably at the doctoral level;
• At least 15 years of experience in a leadership position, preferably in the philanthropic or nonprofit sector;
• Superior ability to manage a talented and motivated program staff;
• Natural collaborative instincts;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Superior communication abilities;
• Demonstrated ability to implement and manage multiple priorities effectively; and
• Personally motivated to support the Foundation’s mission and goals.
How To Apply
Application Process:
Send résumé, statement of interest, and salary expectations to HR@nyshealth.org and include “Vice President” in the subject line.
The New York State Health Foundation welcomes applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, and values having a diverse staff. Employment opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.