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Associate Project Director - Job Opportunity at National Institute for Children's Health Quality

Boston, US
Full-time
Senior
Posted: July 12, 2025
Remote
USD 99,000 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive employee assistance program providing mental health and wellness support resources
Flexible spending accounts enabling tax-advantaged healthcare and dependent care expense management
Generous parental leave policy supporting work-life integration during family transitions
Competitive paid holiday schedule providing substantial time off beyond standard vacation
Comprehensive vision insurance coverage supporting preventive and corrective eye care
Robust disability insurance protection ensuring income security during health challenges
Full dental insurance coverage including preventive and restorative care
Premium health insurance with comprehensive medical coverage
Flexible paid time off policy promoting work-life balance and employee wellbeing
Extended paid parental leave demonstrating commitment to family support
Professional development benefits investing in career advancement and skill building
Remote work flexibility enabling geographic independence and lifestyle optimization

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive project management for complex federal health initiatives with multi-million dollar budgets and national scope, directly impacting maternal and child health outcomes across multiple states
Drive strategic partnership development and management with federal agencies, healthcare systems, and community organizations to advance health equity initiatives
Provide executive-level oversight of cross-functional teams including project managers, coordinators, and external consultants, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and funder requirements
Deliver high-impact technical assistance and capacity building to healthcare organizations, directly influencing quality improvement practices affecting thousands of families
Manage sophisticated fiscal operations including federal contract administration, budget oversight, and financial reporting with accountability for stewardship of public funds
Represent the organization at national conferences and policy forums, establishing thought leadership in maternal and child health improvement
Design and implement innovative dissemination strategies to scale successful interventions across diverse healthcare settings
Conduct strategic site visits and stakeholder engagement activities to assess organizational needs and customize technical assistance approaches
Lead development of evidence-based training curricula and educational materials that advance best practices in health equity and social determinants of health

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in Public Health or related field preferred

Experience

7-10 years managing and leading programs/projects in healthcare, academic, or non-profit setting

Required Skills

Strong proficiency with office systems, computers, and MS Office Suite: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Webex) Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitive information with a variety of partners in a tactful manner Highly skilled multi-tasker who can manage themselves and others in prioritizing tasks, establishing work-related timelines, and meeting deadline and deliverable requirements Has strong organization and time management skills, meticulous attention to detail across varied tasks, and is responsible for generating, approving, and implementing solutions to issues as they arise Works well in a team environment and is a team player with customer service orientation, including demonstrated skill and experience in relationship management- both internally and externally Highly flexible and adjustable Ability to apply principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace Experience planning, coordinating, and directing in-person and virtual events Experience in or knowledge of public health- especially maternal and child health, health care or related systems strongly preferred Demonstrates strong understanding of project methods and/or subject matter (e.g., quality improvement, collaborative learning, health equity, children and youth with special health care needs) and can manage the frameworks in a high-quality way independently Demonstrated ability to influence, manage, and drive teams/individuals/project towards success Works independently, capable of making independent decisions Advanced problem-solving skills including the ability to think quickly, creatively, and strategically, using process-level thinking to optimize systems and resources to implement plans/structure for accomplishing current work and think ahead to next steps Possesses advanced insight and skills in partner management, proposal development, and budgeting Demonstrated leadership in managing people and complex projects in health care or related settings Demonstrated experience cultivating partnerships Strong supervisory experience and the ability to delegate and help others manage and prioritize their work Experience in public speaking and presentation Demonstrated experience managing large federal grants and/or contracts
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The healthcare nonprofit sector is experiencing unprecedented growth in federal funding for health equity initiatives, driven by increased recognition of social determinants of health and their impact on population health outcomes. Organizations like NICHQ are positioned to benefit from the Biden administration's focus on addressing health disparities through targeted technical assistance and capacity building programs. Maternal and child health improvement has become a national priority following concerning trends in maternal mortality rates and infant health outcomes in the United States. Federal agencies are investing heavily in evidence-based interventions and quality improvement collaboratives, creating sustained demand for experienced project directors who can manage complex, multi-site initiatives. The shift toward value-based care and population health management has created increased demand for professionals with expertise in quality improvement methodologies and collaborative learning frameworks. Healthcare organizations are seeking technical assistance providers who can help them navigate payment model changes while improving patient outcomes. Remote work has become permanently integrated into the nonprofit healthcare sector, enabling organizations to recruit talent nationwide while reducing overhead costs. This trend has increased competition for senior roles while providing greater flexibility for experienced professionals seeking work-life balance.

Salary Evaluation

The $99,000 annual salary is competitive for this role level and reflects the specialized nature of federal health program management. Comparable positions in similar organizations typically range from $95,000 to $115,000 depending on geographic location and specific grant funding levels. The salary demonstrates NICHQ's commitment to attracting experienced professionals while maintaining fiscal responsibility with federal funds.

Role Significance

The role typically involves overseeing teams of 8-12 professionals including project managers, coordinators, consultants, and interns. The position requires matrix management skills to coordinate across multiple projects while maintaining clear accountability structures and performance standards.
This Associate Project Director position represents a senior-level role with significant autonomy and decision-making authority. The position serves as a bridge between executive leadership and operational teams, requiring sophisticated judgment in managing complex federal initiatives while building organizational capacity for future growth.

Key Projects

Multi-state Healthy Start program implementation involving coordination with 25+ community organizations and healthcare systems Federal technical assistance center operations requiring development of standardized training curricula and quality assurance protocols National conference planning and execution for 500+ attendees including healthcare leaders, policymakers, and community representatives Evidence-based intervention dissemination projects involving research partnership development and publication strategies

Success Factors

Demonstrated expertise in federal grant compliance and reporting requirements, including ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while maintaining program flexibility and responsiveness to local community needs Strong relationship management capabilities enabling effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders including federal program officers, healthcare executives, community leaders, and academic partners across multiple time zones and organizational cultures Strategic thinking skills that balance immediate project deliverables with long-term organizational sustainability and growth objectives, particularly in the context of evolving federal funding priorities and healthcare policy changes Cultural competency and commitment to health equity principles that authentically engage diverse communities while addressing systemic barriers to optimal health outcomes for children and families

Market Demand

High demand exists for senior-level project directors with federal grant management experience and expertise in maternal and child health initiatives. The combination of specialized knowledge requirements and limited talent pool creates favorable conditions for qualified candidates seeking advancement in this field.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Federal grant management expertise is absolutely essential for success in this role, as the position requires deep understanding of federal compliance requirements, reporting protocols, and stakeholder management processes that are unique to government-funded health initiatives. The complexity of federal health programs demands professionals who can navigate regulatory requirements while maintaining program effectiveness and community engagement. Project management capabilities at an advanced level are crucial for coordinating multi-site initiatives involving diverse stakeholders with varying organizational cultures, technical capabilities, and community contexts. The ability to manage complex project timelines, budgets, and deliverables while maintaining quality standards is fundamental to program success. Health equity expertise and cultural competency are critical differentiators in this role, as the position requires authentic engagement with diverse communities and the ability to design interventions that address systemic barriers to optimal health outcomes. Understanding of social determinants of health and their impact on maternal and child health is essential for developing effective technical assistance approaches.

Beneficial Skills

Advanced data analysis and evaluation skills would enhance the candidate's ability to demonstrate program impact and inform continuous improvement processes, particularly given the increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice in federal health initiatives Grant writing and proposal development expertise would provide valuable support for organizational growth and sustainability, enabling the candidate to contribute to business development efforts while advancing programmatic objectives Public speaking and thought leadership capabilities would enable the candidate to enhance organizational visibility and influence in the maternal and child health improvement field through conference presentations, publications, and media engagement opportunities

Unique Aspects

The role offers direct involvement in shaping national policy and practice in maternal and child health through management of federally funded technical assistance centers that influence healthcare delivery across multiple states
The position provides opportunity to work at the intersection of public health, healthcare quality improvement, and social justice, addressing some of the most pressing health challenges facing American families
The role includes responsibility for managing relationships with federal agencies, providing unique insight into health policy development and implementation processes
The position offers significant autonomy in designing and implementing innovative approaches to capacity building and technical assistance delivery

Career Growth

Career progression to Senior Project Director typically occurs within 2-3 years given the specialized nature of federal health program management and limited talent pool. Advancement to executive roles generally requires 5-7 years of demonstrated success in managing complex, multi-site initiatives with significant budget and stakeholder management responsibilities.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Project Director positions leading multiple federal contracts with budgets exceeding $5 million annually Program Director roles overseeing entire portfolios of maternal and child health initiatives Vice President of Programs positions providing strategic leadership for organizational growth and development Chief Operating Officer roles in similar mission-driven healthcare organizations Independent consulting opportunities serving federal agencies and large healthcare systems

Company Overview

National Institute for Children's Health Quality

The National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) is a well-established nonprofit organization with over two decades of experience in driving quality improvement in pediatric healthcare. The organization has built a strong reputation for managing large-scale federal initiatives and has been recognized as a trusted partner by agencies including HRSA, CDC, and CMS for implementing evidence-based interventions that improve health outcomes for children and families.

NICHQ occupies a prominent position in the maternal and child health improvement sector, competing effectively with larger consulting firms and academic institutions for federal contracts. The organization's focus on health equity and social determinants of health aligns well with current federal priorities, positioning it favorably for continued growth and contract wins.
Based in Boston with a national scope of operations, NICHQ benefits from proximity to leading academic medical centers and healthcare innovation hubs while maintaining the flexibility to serve communities across the United States. The organization's remote work model enables recruitment of talent from diverse geographic regions while reducing operational costs.
NICHQ demonstrates a mission-driven culture that prioritizes work-life balance and professional development, as evidenced by its comprehensive benefits package and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The organization's emphasis on collaborative learning and continuous improvement creates an environment conducive to professional growth and innovation.
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