Senior Director, Health Initiatives (Colorado - Remote)

National Jewish Health; Colorado; Remote; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Director for Health Initiatives, a role pivotal in leading programs that combat tobacco use and improve community health. This remote position, based in Colorado, involves strategic growth, financial oversight, and operational excellence across multiple states. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in healthcare management, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to innovation. Join a dynamic team dedicated to making a lasting impact on public health through evidence-based strategies and personalized services. This opportunity promises to be both challenging and rewarding, as you help shape the future of health initiatives in the community.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of senior management experience in healthcare or public health.
• Expertise in financial strategy and business development.

Responsibilities

• Lead Health Initiative programs and oversee strategic growth.
• Manage budget, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Strategy

Business Development

Stakeholder Relations

Strategic Foresight

Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Education

Master's Degree in Public Health or Healthcare Administration

Job description

• Location: Remote, CO
• Facility: National Jewish Health - Galleria Office Towers
• Department: Health Initiatives
• Schedule: Full Time - Day Shift

Established in 1899, National Jewish Health is a leading respiratory hospital specializing in respiratory, cardiac, and immune disorders. As an academic medical center, it focuses on preventing and treating chronic diseases, with particular expertise in developing protocols for populations disproportionately impacted by tobacco.

National Jewish Health is at the forefront of combating smoking and vaping through personalized cessation programs, research into the impacts of tobacco use, and advocacy for policy change. Since 2002, it has helped over 2.5 million individuals in their attempts to quit commercial tobacco as the nation’s largest provider of phone-based and digital tobacco cessation services, known as Quitline services, which now operate in 26 states. With an impressive 37% success rate—far exceeding the national average of 7%—the program delivers lasting change through evidence-based strategies and personalized coaching.

The Health Initiatives department manages Quitline services, develops tobacco-cessation protocols for high-risk populations, and provides a broad range of educational materials. The department plays a vital role in national tobacco control efforts, supporting evidence-based interventions that improve community health. While the program has already expanded from 16 to 26 states, it has the potential for further growth.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Director leads the Health Initiative programs, overseeing strategic growth, financial management, staffing, and operations. This role drives business development, expands partnerships at national, regional, and local levels, and aligns initiatives with institutional goals. The Senior Director ensures efficient, customer-focused services that optimize revenue and performance. Key responsibilities include staff leadership, budget oversight, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. A dynamic leader, the Senior Director must balance multiple projects, foster innovation, and drive operational excellence across the Health Initiative programs. The Senior Director will oversee a team of five direct reports and approximately 75–100 employees across eight states, managing a call center and digital health services.

The ideal candidate will have at least ten years of senior management experience in healthcare or public health, with expertise in financial strategy, business development, and stakeholder relations, particularly with state agencies. Strong leadership, strategic foresight, and negotiation skills are essential. This opportunity is ideal for a leader who is hands-on, adaptable, and committed to driving innovation and long-term sustainability.

This is a remote position based in Colorado, but requires regular travel to the main campus in Denver.

To apply, please provide a resume using WittKieffer's Candidate Portal. Applications, nominations, and inquiries can also be directed to Ashley Buderus and Jessica Cummings by email at: [e-mail]. The review of materials will continue until an appointment has been made.

The salary range for the Senior Director, Health Initiatives position is $150,000 - $200,000. The referenced pay range represents good faith and a reasonable estimate of the base compensation range for this position. Individual salaries will be determined within the job’s salary range and established based on (but not limited to) market data, the individual's experience, and expertise, with consideration to related position salaries. NJH also recognizes that its outstanding faculty and staff are its foundation. In every aspect of healthcare, employees serve as the greatest asset of National Jewish Health. With this in mind, National Jewish Health has developed a valuable and comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of employees and their families.

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National Jewish Health
Human Resources
1400 Jackson St
Denver, CO 80206
303.398.1035
[e-mail]

National Jewish Health is a non-profit, non-sectarian institution and is a longstanding cornerstone in the Denver healthcare community. National Jewish Health seeks to attract the best-qualified candidates who support the mission, vision, and values of the Institution. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical or mental disability, marital, familial or parental status, genetic information, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected classification. We are a tobacco and fragrance-free environment.