Associate Director, Community Partnerships

The American Cancer Society is working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Our employees and 1.3 million volunteers raise the bar every day, fostering a culture of diverse backgrounds and experiences to better serve our communities. Those who join us focus their talents on our lifesaving mission—it’s a calling that brings fulfillment.

About the role

The Associate Director serves as a strategic connector and catalyst for advancing the American Cancer Society’s mission through high-impact partnerships across the cancer care continuum. This role engages with primary care systems, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), community health centers, community-based organizations (CBOs), and volunteers to drive pillar metrics through collaborative relationships while influencing policies and strategies. As a frontline leader, the Associate Director integrates pillar priorities, mobilizes partners, and aligns local efforts with national goals to drive coordinated, patient-centered cancer care. By aligning key performance indicators with organizational priorities, the role ensures progress toward pillar metrics and improved health outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage high-impact relationships with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), community health centers, and community-based organizations to strengthen collaboration and advance organizational priorities across the cancer care continuum. (30%)
• Lead development of medical neighborhoods and linkages of care within targeted communities, ensuring coordinated, patient-centered cancer care that improves access and outcomes. (20%)
• Convene and engage health systems, community champions, and diverse stakeholders to implement evidence-based strategies, influence policy, and accelerate system-level improvements in cancer prevention and treatment. (20%)
• Provide technical assistance and share resources to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions and best practices. (15%)
• Cultivate and support health care and community champions to drive system-level policies and practices that increase access to care and improve outcomes. (15%)

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of experience in health care-related and/or non-profit management, administration, account management, with a proven background in relationship development and volunteer recruitment and mobilization.
• Bachelor’s Degree in public health, health administration, healthcare, nonprofit management, or equivalent (Master’s Degree preferred).

Skills

• Extensive experience in cultivating relationships with health systems, community organizations, and volunteers to create urgency around cancer awareness, motivate action across the cancer continuum, and guide strategic initiatives.
• Skilled in designing outcome-based interventions, educational processes, and conducting evaluations to ensure measurable impact.
• Strong ability to represent the American Cancer Society effectively and professionally to health systems, cancer programs, administrative, agency, and community leaders, including working with disparate populations and diverse constituents.
• Ability to use health center data, chronic disease trends, and interpret cancer statistics to inform strategic decisions.
• Current knowledge of scientific research and best practices through continuous learning, training participation, and engagement in enterprise and regional initiatives.
• Experience with state and community-based program planning and implementation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of health care markets, insurance structures, managed care systems, primary care infrastructures, government policies including Medicaid, Medicare, and oncology payment models.

Travel

Travel, including evening and weekend work, is required.

Pay

The starting rate is $80,000 to $85,000. The final candidate’s relevant experience and skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off policy.
• Medical and dental benefits.
• Retirement benefits.
• Wellness programs.
• Professional development programs to enhance staff skills.

Further details on benefits can be found on our careers site at jobs.cancer.org/benefits.