Associate Vice President, Disaster Preparedness & Response

Reports to: CEO

Status: Full Time / Exempt

Location: 100% Remote

The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) is adding to our team! Founded in 1996, ACU is a uniquely transdisciplinary membership network dedicated to improving the health of America’s underserved populations and supporting the clinicians that serve them.

We are seeking a visionary and strategic leader to join our team as the Associate Vice President (AVP), Disaster Preparedness & Response to oversee ACU’s Health Center Rescue Network, a new disaster response and recovery initiative that equips health centers in underserved communities with the resources, coordination, and support needed to maintain uninterrupted care during crises. By improving access to critical supplies, peer support, and preparedness tools, the program addresses key drivers of health, including healthcare access, infrastructure stability, and workforce resilience.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in emergency management principles and a proven ability to lead complex, multi-faceted operations during crises including, but not limited to wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, and mass shootings.

This position will report directly to the CEO. The AVP, Disaster Preparedness & Response, will supervise 2 positions: Manager and Communications and Marketing Coordinator.

The position contract remains active until December 2027 with the possibility of an extension.

Location: ACU Headquarters is located in Washington, DC. This is a remote position. You must reside in one of the following states: Washington DC, Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, or Texas.

Key Responsibilities

Vision & Strategy Development

• Develop, implement, and maintain strategies to equip health centers, primary care associations and other key stakeholders with the necessary tools and resources to improve disaster relief and response.
• Select and work with a stakeholder advisory group to guide the development of the Health Center Rescue Network.
• Oversee the development of branding materials to build visibility for the Network among health centers and partners.
• Establish protocols for how health centers will request and receive support and develop a public-facing website that outlines the initiative, offers disaster preparedness and response resources, and provides a means for requesting support.
• Identify and secure regional supply and storage hubs to facilitate rapid disaster response.
• Develop a sustainability plan to embed the Health Center Rescue Network into standard health center emergency preparedness practices and secure long-term funding and partnerships.

Incident Management:

• Lead and coordinate response efforts during emergencies, serving as a primary point of contact and managing communication and accountability plans.

Partnership Cultivation and Management:

• Identify, establish, and nurture strategic partnerships with Primary Care Associations, national, state and local partners, and others to reduce care disruptions during disasters and enhance emergency preparedness in vulnerable populations.
• Engage state agencies, governors, and health departments to educate about needs, resources and capacity of the Rescue Network, and establish relationships, including agreements and protocols in times of disasters.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure the Rescue Network complies with relevant laws, regulations, and industry best practices.

Program Evaluation and Impact Measurement:

• Develop and implement methods to assess the effectiveness of the Rescue Network’s efforts to inform ongoing quality improvement and future planning.
• Regularly report to senior leadership and program funders on program outcomes, partnership successes, and key performance indicators.

Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of professionals, fostering a collaborative and cohesive work environment.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of initiatives and shared organizational goals.
• Supervise a team of 2 other individuals including a manager and communications and marketing coordinator.

Budget Management

• Prepare and manage the departmental budget and oversee project teams.

Perform additional duties as needed

Qualifications for Position

• Minimum 10 years of professional progressive experience in emergency management, disaster response, within the community healthcare sector or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience in emergency management and security operations within the healthcare sector.
• Strong understanding of emergency management principles, frameworks, and relevant regulations as well as an understanding of federal, state, and local emergency agencies and the services they provide.
• Professional experience working with a deep knowledge of federally qualified health centers and the issues that impact the communities they serve.
• Proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including healthcare organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and community leaders.
• Superior experience with grant and proposal writing as well as subsequent grant and program management.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to use metrics and outcomes to guide decision-making and program improvements.
• Ability to work effectively with internal stakeholders and external agencies.
• Strong analytical skills for risk assessment and strategic planning.

Further Details

Supervisory Relationships: Manager, Disaster Preparedness & Response, and Communications and Marketing Coordinator, Disaster Preparedness & Response.

Other Considerations: Domestic Travel for meetings and conferences, approximately 10-15% annually

Job Type: Full-time

The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. ACU ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• Three weeks of vacation leave each year (accrued by pay period)
• Two weeks of medical leave each year plus 4 mental health days
• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage (80% individual & 50% family paid by ACU)
• Long‐Term Disability Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Access to ACU’s 403(b) retirement plan
• Laptop computer
• Cell phone
• Opportunities for professional development and growth