Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships and Programs

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals living with headache and migraine? Do you bring strong marketing instincts, project management expertise, and an interest in healthcare education? The National Headache Foundation (NHF) is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven professional to support and grow our programs, partnerships, and educational initiatives—while helping us reach more people through strategic marketing and storytelling.

About the National Headache Foundation (NHF):

The National Headache Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that for over 50 years has been committed to building bridges needed to ensure that everyone affected by headache and migraine are able to fully engage and thrive in their best lives. Join the National Headache Foundation in cultivating connections and partnerships that inspire action and instill hope.

The National Headache Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and commit ourselves to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

Summary of Position:

This role leads the development, management, and growth of NHF programs and partnerships, with a strong emphasis on marketing-driven engagement, audience growth, and operational excellence. Reporting to the CEO, this position oversees key patient and healthcare professional (HCP) initiatives.

You will work closely with people living with headache and migraine, care partners, and healthcare practitioners to advance education, access to care, and patient-centered decision-making. This role blends program strategy, marketing, and project management and is ideal for someone with an interest in healthcare and a passion for the headache and migraine space.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development, Marketing, and Impact

• Create, manage, and scale NHF initiatives to ensure growth, measurable impact, and alignment with NHF’s mission, including NHF InSights™ Podcast, AQH certification, and additional education and engagement initiatives.
• Serve as program lead for NHF’s healthcare provider initiatives, overseeing strategy, execution, timelines, and reporting.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase participation through targeted marketing, partnerships, and outreach.
• Support and coordinate the planning, production, and promotion of podcast and videocast educational series.
• Project manage program execution, including timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional coordination.
• Partner with marketing staff to promote programs, education, and partnerships across digital, print, and live platforms.
• Monitor KPIs and report program outcomes and impact to internal and external stakeholders.

Partnership Development and Relationships

• Identify, cultivate, and manage mission-aligned nonprofit and for-profit partners in collaboration with the CEO.
• Lead outreach partnerships that connect patients, care partners, and healthcare practitioners through patient-centered initiatives.
• Leverage partnerships to expand reach of NHF programs, education, and marketing campaigns.
• Maintain accurate tracking of outreach, communications, and partnership outcomes.
• Support effective use of NHF’s Salesforce.org database in coordination with Finance and Operations.

Organizational Strategy and Team Support

• Serve as a strategic and operational partner to the CEO, supporting organizational planning and program growth.
• Collaborate with staff to set goals, monitor progress, and streamline workflows.
• Contribute to a collaborative, results-driven team culture and support contractors and collaborators.
• Assist with identifying funding opportunities to sustain and grow NHF programs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Demonstrated passion or professional interest in headache, migraine, healthcare, or patient education.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, meet deadlines, and work with attention to detail and urgency.
• Experience supporting or leading marketing-driven growth initiatives, including social media and content marketing.
• Proven experience developing and managing external nonprofit and/or for-profit partnerships.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans aligned with NHF’s mission.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; comfort engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Data-informed mindset with experience tracking KPIs and reporting impact.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel, including overnight stays.
• Proficiency with common technology tools (e.g., Word, Excel, Zoom/webinar platforms).
• Ability to lift 30–50 lbs. for event setup as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in healthcare patient advocacy relations or healthcare practitioner relations.
• Experience in marketing, including digital marketing, campaign development, public engagement, and promotion of health-related programs to target audiences.
• Understanding of the neurology and/or headache and migraine therapeutic area, with a commitment to improving patient and caregiver navigation to diagnosis, care, and treatment.
• Interest or experience in fundraising and resource development is a plus.

Location Requirements:

This is a Hybrid role – Remote Mondays/Friday and in the office Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday.

Office is located at 162 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654.

Comprehensive benefits package including major medical, dental, life insurance, and short-term and long-term disability (STD/LTD).

Employer-sponsored 403(b) retirement plan with organizational contribution.

Generous paid time off, including four (4) weeks of combined PTO and sick leave for the first five years of service, plus a paid winter break closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

Hybrid work schedule designed to support flexibility and work–life balance.