POSITION SUMMARY
The Director, Center for Sickle Cell Disease Initiatives is responsible for leading the Society's transformative, multifaceted, patient-centric Sickle Cell Disease Initiative (SCDI) to improve outcomes for individuals living with SCD-helping to advance access to care, research, policy, global impact, and partnerships. This includes leading cross-departmental collaboration throughout ASH and the ASH Research Collaborative (ASH RC) to help ensure that priorities are aligned, communications are coordinated, resources are effectively leveraged, activities and resources are evaluated, stakeholders are appropriately engaged, and duplicative efforts are avoided. The Director must possess a keen understanding of the current state of sickle cell disease and lead the coordination of ASH's sickle cell activities internally and externally to coordinate and harmonize efforts, evaluate SCDI activities, and strategically advise the Society on potential opportunities and challenges.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the implementation of the SCDI, including oversight of all programmatic areas, serving as the central coordinating leader within the Society.
• Provide sickle cell disease content expertise for SCDI projects.
• Manage adherence to the SCDI guiding principles/strategic objectives ensuring alignment across the broad range of SCD activities.
• Maintain a pulse on all SCD priorities across the Society (ASH and ASH RC) and ensure strategic and effective coordination:
  1. Monitor SCD projects, programs, and activities to assess where internal and external coordination can be enhanced and assess new opportunities or challenges.
  2. Evaluate all projects within the SCDI by establishing a review process and working with program leads to determine programmatic value and sustainability; this could be done by creating systems, programmatic goals and metrics, and tracking progress for ASH and ASH RC SCD activities.
  3. Identify where projects overlap and where gaps exist and provide strategies and/or solutions to remedy challenges.
• Facilitate appropriate and timely flow of information between ASH and ASH RC regarding internal and external sickle cell activities; this could be done by leading cross-departmental meetings and/or through other more timely communications efforts.
• Oversee the assessment and future planning of the SCDI for at least a three-year horizon.
• Oversee the SCD Coalition and enable the effective engagement of and communications with and among the membership.
  1. Work with SCD Coalition staff team to ensure Coalition activities are complimentary to SCDI activities and connected as appropriate.
• Oversee SCD operations and SCD Coalition budgets to align with Society-wide ASH and ASH RC SCD program budgets.
• Maintains pulse on external SCD activities and manage stakeholder engagement.
  1. Work with relevant Departments to coordinate engagement with federal, industry, and other external partners across the broad portfolio of SCD activities.
• Collaborate with ASH and ASH RC Business Development staff to maintain up to date case reports on SCD activities; identify opportunities for fundraising.
• Collaborate with the Communications Department on a SCDI communications strategy to cross promote and leverage promotional opportunities; have a clear and consistent messaging; and coordinate resource development across all SCD activities.
• Lead, supervise (provide professional development, mentoring, and coaching), and effectively engage direct reports.
• Participate in ASH RC, ASH-sponsored and external partner meetings and events outside of normal working hours (evenings and/or weekends).
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Advanced degree in medicine, science, or public health, preferred
• Keen knowledge of and professional focus in sickle cell disease is preferred; knowledge of the challenges and opportunities that exist within the SCD community, preferred.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of related experience is required, including leadership experience in program management.
• Strong program management skills are required; experience managing medical or scientific programs is preferred.
• Demonstration of an entrepreneurial mindset; ability to think strategically, engage proactively, and enable innovation; familiarity with the pharmaceutical industry preferred.
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks that could affect ASH's financial health, legal compliance, or reputation.
• Proven supervisory skills including ability to lead, mentor, coach, and support the professional development of direct reports.
• Experience leading and developing cross-functional teams; ability to work within and further a team environment; strong interpersonal, collaboration, leadership, and delegation skills.
• Excellent communication skills including public speaking, writing, active listening, and synthesizing information from different sources when working with colleagues, members, volunteers, and other stakeholder groups.
• Ability to apply business and financial management as well as process improvement principles to programs and objectives.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to resolve conflict with creativity, savvy, and pragmatism.
• Ability to quickly establish credibility and influence, reputation for strong leadership presence.
• Goal-oriented with a high level of energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the mission and priorities.
• Familiarity with associations and stakeholder relations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires ability to speak audibly and listen actively.
• Requires ability to use computers, telephones, and other office equipment.
• Requires ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Requires out-of-town travel and participation in local events outside of regular business hours.