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Vice President of Programs

This job is no longer available

Wasilla, AK, USA
Full-time

The Position: Vice President of Programs

Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) seeks a visionary, systems thinker to serve as its next Vice President of Programs (VPOP). The VPOP is an essential leader in a close-knit team that fuels the acceleration of the Foundation’s voice, credibility and impact across the region, the state, and beyond.  The VPOP works directly with the CEO to set and fulfill a bold vision to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Mat-Su). Striving for equity, the ideal candidate is a compassionate listener and collaborator with stakeholders representing the diversity of the region.  Experienced in using epidemiological approaches to ignite community action, the VPOP is expected to catalyze change and demonstrate the ability to connect the Foundation’s vision into population health impact with multiple stakeholders.  

The Organization

Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (MSRMC).  The Foundation actively participates in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital, protecting the community’s interest through board oversight.  The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works with a goal to measurably improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su, while reducing healthcare costs through the intersection of its philanthropy and hospital ownership.

MSHF recognizes there is inequity in today’s healthcare system and strives to be a catalyst for change to ensure that all community members have the opportunity for a healthy life.  As a trusted leader in both the philanthropic and healthcare sectors, MSHF convenes community partners, commissions research, supports health-related coalitions, invests in capacity building and advocates for regulatory and policy changes to achieve its mission.  While the Foundation’s work focuses on the Mat-Su, MSHF is recognized as a state leader and a global thinker.

MSHF concentrates on making systems improvements, filling service gaps, and improving care coordination in its five focus areas: Healthy Minds, Healthy Aging, Healthy Families, Safety Net, and Workforce Development. MSHF also invests in nonprofit leadership and offers scholarships to build the health care workforce of tomorrow.  Since 2006, the Foundation has provided more than $56 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit, tribal, and governmental organizations.  MSHF is willing to take bold steps to bring a collaborative response to systemic issues.  Examples of this are the R.O.C.K. Mat-Su (Raising Our Kids with Kindness) and Connect Mat-Su initiatives, both staffed and funded by the Foundation. 

Mat-Su Health Foundation Theory of Change

The Mat-Su Health Foundation’s work is guided by a way of working in the world that will result in a healthier Mat-Su community. The Theory of Change provides the following core principles:

  1. Mat-Su is our home. We are part of the community and we are community-driven.
  2. We empower and build the capacity of community residents and organizations to help determine and create a healthier community.
  3. We are data-driven and strategic in deployment of our resources toward evidence-based solutions.

The Leadership Opportunity

As a member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Programs will partner with an inspiring and dynamic CEO to advance the Foundation’s goals and grow the organization to the next level of improving health in the Mat-Su and set the stage for greater systems change throughout Alaska.  As a trusted member and advisor to the leadership team, the VPOP will help shape, communicate, and deliver the strategic plan and foundation initiatives.  The incoming leader will build on the solid foundation established by a well-respected predecessor, and also have room to innovate, grow and challenge strategy and tactics.  In addition, this person will have the opportunity to help redefine what change and success mean for the Foundation by better connecting the strategic vision, focus area goals and programmatic strategy. The new leader will lead a growing, high-performing program team and deepen a team culture that aligns with the Foundation’s core values, team principles and commitments.  This pivotal position has the opportunity to embolden the MSHF team to step into a greater leadership role in advancing the community’s health.

Twelve to Eighteen-month Priorities

The incoming Vice President of Programs will be expected to focus on the following priorities over the first twelve to eighteen months:

  • Bring expertise and relationships to help newly formed Health Equity Committee of the Board to launch bold new initiatives that ground our work
  • Partner with Board and MSHF Team to develop a strategic plan for the next ten years
  • Cultivate and diversify local and national partnerships
  • Improve a board-level dashboard to track and communicate current state and future goals of the Foundation’s impact
  • Expand research and evaluation, including hiring a Director of Research and Evaluation and defining goals for measuring the Foundation’s success
  • Continue to support the Foundation and community response to impacts of COVID-19, including translating lessons learned into ongoing funding practices
Areas of Responsibility: 

Key Responsibilities

The Vice President of Programs is the internal driver of the epidemiological and asset-based approach of the MSHF.  The VPOP honors the public health framework and community voice in overseeing research, evaluation, and philanthropic initiatives. In their role, the VPOP will:

  • Lead the philanthropic initiatives of the Foundation, including mentor, support, and supervise the program staff
  • Collaborate with program officers to set and deliver strategic goals for grantmaking focus areas
  • Supervise the Director of Research and Evaluation and oversee external consultants 
  • Ensure that research, data, and evaluation findings are available, used and disseminated consistent with the Foundation’s Theory of Change in pursuit of the Foundation’s strategic plan
  • Embrace and mobilize support for diversity, equity, and inclusion; in partnership with the Leadership Team, ensure the Foundation’s systems and structures reinforce an equitable and inclusive environment
  • Ensure MSHF’s compliance with Affordable Care Act, including oversee completion of the triennial Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation plan, along with their required evaluation
  • Identify opportunities for systems-level improvements and advocacy
  • Optimize the Foundation's resources through oversight of convenings, grantmaking and strategic programmatic investments
  • Ensure community voices, including local champions that lead the work, are consistent with the Theory of Change
  • Work with the CEO and the Chief Communications Officer  to effectively tell the story of the foundation’s impact and engage the community in helping to realize the vision
  • Work with the CEO to ensure that the philanthropic initiatives and hospital ownership of the foundation reach maximum synergy in alignment with the foundation’s strategic plan
  • Serve as liaison for the philanthropic work of the foundation to the Board of Directors and the Program Committee of the Board
  • Optimize learning internally and externally, sharing lessons learned from coalitions, grant programs, and community collaborations, while ensuring alignment with Theory of Change
  • Develop the Program budget of approximately $15m and work with the Chief Financial Officer to monitor throughout the year
  • In partnership with the CEO, cultivate relationships with key partners and stakeholders and represent MSHF philanthropy as needed
Educational Background: 
Master of Public Health preferred
Skills/Experience: 

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

  • Commitment to epidemiological, public health framework.  Master of Public Health or equivalent, with at least five years of relevant work experience preferred
  • At least 5 years of experience working with diverse communities, coalitions, and/or groups on health and social issues
  • At least 5 years of experience creating, leading, and mentoring a high-performing, collaborative team
  • Strategic, systems thinker with the ability to translate data and theory into action
  • Experience advancing equity through research, evaluation, public policy and/or programming
  • Experience setting and executing a bold vision
  • High emotional intelligence with the ability to create positive work relationships and environments
  • Demonstrated self-motivated conduct with excellent project management and organizational skills
  • Excellent research, written and verbal presentation skills
  • Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships in both local community and with national partners
  • Inclusive leadership style that empowers and elevates all team members to perform at their highest level
  • Supports strengthening the whole person, encourages healthy habits, and practices flexibility to achieve work-life balance
  • Thrives when deeply invested and involved in a community, partnering with their neighbors to make lasting impact
  • Strives for equity. Welcomes and honors differences in perspective, identity, and culture
Compensation/Benefits: 

The salary range is $140,000 to $160,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Mat-Su Health Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package and is an at-will employer. 

How to Apply: 

To apply, email your credentials to [email protected].  Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing interest and qualifications.  For questions, contact Allison Fong, lead recruiter, at to [email protected].  Communications will be treated with confidence and resumes will be accepted until position is filled. Resume reviews begin immediately.

Mat-Su Health Foundation is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.  MSHF is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to grow to our commitment to engagement and inclusion with culturally diverse audiences.

Additional Information: 

Organization Info

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Jun 22 2020
Active Until: 
Jul 22 2020
Hiring Organization: 
Mat-Su Health Foundation
industry: 
Nonprofit