We believe every person deserves to age well. That’s why we’re on a path to improve the lives of 40 million older adults by 2030. Come join an awesome team and learn about the work we do, the people we serve, and why equitable aging matters now more than ever. At NCOA, we represent the interests of the aging population across the nation, while striving to live out our core values of equity, excellence, and innovation. This is meaningful work where we put “people first” and our employees can learn and grow, where work/life balance is prioritized, and have a flexible hybrid work schedule while being part of a dynamic, collaborative team.
We are interested in growing our team with passionate, committed, and innovative individuals. The Associate Director of Innovation will join NCOA at a time of dynamic growth.
POSITION SUMMARY
The NCOA Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) works to increase access to and use of evidence-based interventions to help older adults and adults with disabilities live longer, healthier lives. The Center houses two National Resource Centers funded by the Administration for Community Living that provide technical assistance and resources to support state and community-based organizations in implementing, scaling, and sustaining evidence-based falls prevention and chronic disease self-management programs so that they will be easily accessible across the U.S. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Associate Director of Innovation to join our CHA team.
The Associate Director of Innovation oversees programs, projects, evaluations, and communications related to geriatric health, chronic disease, and fall prevention. This includes supporting existing approaches and developing new ideas in home modification and independent living. The Associate Director will be familiar with the principles of applied research and may be asked to support research efforts, create tools and educational materials, and provide professional training in such areas as fall prevention, behavioral health, and home modification to support community living. In addition, this position will build cross-sector coalitions, including grants to state fall prevention coalitions, and partnerships, and co-facilitate the national work groups, committees, advisory groups and more.
Positions at this level typically report to a director or senior director and require advanced knowledge and experience as well as some management capabilities. Incumbents are required to make independent judgements within their scope of work and require minimal oversight. Incumbents generally have five or more years of experience in their discipline and a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent, as well as substantive experience at this level. Graduate level degrees may be considered in lieu of experience.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage the Administration for Community Living (ACL)-funded Innovation Lab and associated grantees, in close collaboration with NCOA’s Research and Evaluation Team.
Manage the National Falls Prevention Fellowship, Falls Prevention Awareness Week, and provide technical assistance to ACL-funded fall prevention grantees in collaboration with other members of CHA.
Identify emerging trends, develop strategic innovations, and drive the implementation of new technologies and processes to deliver the NCOA mission and support health equity.
Respond to media requests about falls prevention, health aging, home safety, and related topics, as needed.
Help consumers make positive lifestyle choices while helping NCOA and its partner clients attain their mutually aligned mission and business goals.
Support the achievement of NCOA’s social impact goals for the Center for Healthy Aging, as approved by the NCOA Board of Directors, and support the organizational direction and strategic priorities set by the NCOA executive team and Board of Directors.
Maintain connections within and outside of the Aging Network with national aging, disability, health care, and business clients to find areas of mutual alignment and expand awareness, scale, and reach through collaborative efforts and sponsorships.
Support the development and maintenance of the enterprise health strategy and priorities, and collaborate with policy, marketing & communications teams to achieve organizational goals.
Support and lead thought leadership around specific topics/emerging areas of focus, including innovations in the community and within the aging network, as well as explore new models for funding for these areas in close coordination with NCOA’s Business Development team.
Support policy initiatives, in close coordination with NCOA’s Public Policy & Advocacy staff and the Center’s senior director, to achieve even greater social impact.
Provide oversight management for assigned responsibilities within the Center. Identify potential synergies and efficiencies within the Center’s current and new work streams, as well as with the rest of NCOA.
Collaborate with a variety of public and private, national, state, and local organizations, as well as corporations. Actively seek widespread engagement of other organizations in program strategies and activities.
Maintain strong relationships with funding agencies, public partnerships, and philanthropic and corporate sponsors and ensure that NCOA meets or exceeds the expected outcomes of NCOA’s grants and cooperative agreements for these areas.
Manage consultants and contractors.
Other responsibilities as required.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree required, master’s degree in gerontology highly desirable.
A minimum of five years of relevant experience.
Strong passion for NCOA's mission; mission-/goal-oriented and results-driven to contribute to NCOA's social impact goals.
Ability to be an effective ambassador for NCOA, explaining to outsiders NCOA's mission, social impact goals, major programs, and how they can get involved with NCOA.
Advanced oral and written communications skills, including presentation and negotiation skills.
Understanding of the health issues affecting older adults, the burden and impact of chronic diseases, and the benefits of prevention and self-management education.
Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse audiences.
Respect for differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance and ability to work with diverse individuals within the organization and the broader community.
Understanding of grant-funded initiatives and associated reporting requirements.
Self-starter who strives for excellence in everything, maintains a culture of continuous improvement and is welcoming of feedback and open dialogue.
Success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities.
Proficient with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and social media tools. Experience with project management tools and platforms, strongly preferred. Familiarity with webinar technology, ASANA and Salesforce is a plus.
Willingness and ability to participate in anticipated in-state and out-of-state travel, including overnight travel, as requested.
Experience in health policy with a firm understanding of the evolving healthcare system is a plus.
Experience in community research and research design a plus.
Prior relevant experience with a high level of technical expertise, as well as substantive knowledge of multiple program areas and populations served is a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequently required to sit or use a standing desk.
Occasionally required to walk.
Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
Frequently required to talk or listen.
Occasionally required to bend, lift or climb stairs.
Occasionally required to lift light weights (less than 25 pounds).
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
SELECTION PROCESS
We only accept applications that follow the electronic process. No phone calls please. This position is subject to background screening. Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to the Associate Director of Innovation job posting:
