Sr. Program Development Manager, Health Science, QSI, Stroke & AFIB

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Sr. Program Development Manager, Stroke

This position can be home-based. 

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.

This individual will be responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Association’s inpatient quality improvement initiatives, leveraging the Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG) – Stroke registry. Duties include collaborating with cross functional leadership teams, managing workgroups of volunteer subject-matter experts, and developing data‑informed change management across multi‑disciplinary inpatient environments including ICU/CCU, cardiology, emergency medicine, neurology, and case management. Responsibilities include educating and guiding teams through measure adoption, data interpretation, process redesign, and sustaining performance improvement, while also leading to the development of a national quality improvement (QI) framework to increase guideline-directed medical therapy adoption. 

• Serve as the primary leader for the Association’s GWTG-Stroke program ensuring program outcomes align with association‑wide goals, mission impact metrics, and national strategic priorities.
• Act as SME for all clinical guidelines and process improvement methodologies across the Quality, Outcomes, Research, Analytics (QORA) business unit.
• Design and implement inpatient-based recognition and award programs.
• Guide and direct QI staff through adoption and sustained execution of evidence‑based inpatient guidelines for stroke and other Association programs.
• Establish program frameworks, improvement plans, and models of practice tailored to clinical workflows.
• Advise Association QI Staff on care process transformation—triage, treatment timelines, transitions of care, and adherence to guideline‑based measures.
• Guide Association QI staff in data interpretation, trend analysis, and performance benchmarking to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide consultation across the Association departments (research, HIT, certification, QI) to integrate hospital system feedback into program evolution.
• Collaborate with external societies and leaders (ASA, AANN, etc.) for strategic alignment and program development.
• Develop and deliver external-facing educational materials, webinars, toolkits, and workflow guidance aligned to Association inpatient programs.
• Support certification teams in developing and maintaining Association certifications by:
  • Interpreting standards.
  • Advising on required documentation.
  • Coordinating assessments and audits.
  • Aligning with Joint Commission and Association certification requirements.
• Prepare internal and external reports summarizing progress, barriers, outcomes, and measurable improvements.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work-related experience required, preferably in a healthcare related field.
• 5 years experience in:
  • Inpatient clinical care or clinical quality improvement.
  • Hospital operations, QI nursing, registry operations, or systems of care.
  • Implementing evidence-based guidelines or performance improvement programs.
• Experience collaborating cross‑functionally with diverse clinical teams (hospitalists, ED, ICU/CCU, neurology, cardiology, pharmacy, case management).
• Strong understanding of inpatient quality measures and clinical workflows, especially as it relates to stroke systems of care.
• Ability to analyze and interpret performance data.
• Exceptional relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong communication and facilitation abilities.
• Experience designing and implementing quality improvement registries.   

Preferred Experience:

• Master’s degree preferred (MPH, MHA, MSN, or related clinical field).
• RN License highly desirable.

Salary minimum to the midpoint of the range is $84,400.00 to $112,500.00. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply to the pay range. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range.

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
  
  
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.  
  
  
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution.  As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
  
  
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program.  Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
  
  
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees.  The number of days will increase based on seniority level.  You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
  
  
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees.  This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.

This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities