Associate Director, Healthcare Relations - The Joint Commission

Performs, with the supervision of the Executive Director, 3^rd Party Payer/Alliances, the alliance management and support function, including the pursuit, attainment and management of strategically critical collaborative agreements with provider associations, medical societies, consultant groups, quality collaboratives, private accrediting and certifying entities and other stakeholders.  This position also includes leading efforts to cultivate new and nurturing existing relationships with designated external audiences, including parties interested in engaging the National Quality Forum.  Supports the VP, MDOE and other leaders in all aspects of alliance attainment, implementation and maintenance.  Provides formal education and information to internal and external audiences, including but not limited to facility and health care professional associations, medical societies, mission development and organization engagement, marketing, market research and operations personnel, as well as various advisory groups. 

Will be expected to travel up to 25%.

• Engages in the proactive identification of alliance and partnership opportunities, and identifies barriers to the formation of successful alliances, with various stakeholders in support of Joint Commission accreditation, certification, verification and other Enterprise products including NQF activities.   Prepares alliance term sheets and comprehensive alliance agreements.
• Manages the alliance lifecycle, including alliance identification, due diligence, commitment, implementation and transformation.   
• Develops alliance management plans to include the following domains: value proposition, collaborative capability, risk management, definition of success, exit strategy, executive sponsor and key stakeholders.
• Identifies and selects partners for consideration based upon strategic, operational and cultural fit.
• Drafts alliance agreements that provide the framework for the collaboration, to include governance structure, shared assets/resources, joint activities, conflict/dispute resolution and contractual obligations/collaborative framework.
• Works closely with the Department of Legal Affairs to ensure compliance with anti-trust laws and that anti-competitive practices are avoided.
• Develops key performance metrics, starting with alliance goals and success criteria.  Determines what metrics will be tracked, frequency of reporting and tracking, tools and resources needed to track and who will receive, review and act upon performance metrics.  The metrics should be inclusive of strategic, financial, operational and relationship elements.
• Implements transformation plans for alliances as needed, based upon key factors including relationship, strategic, competition, political, performance and technological advances.      
• Identifies and informs supervisor, the VP, MDOE and other enterprise staff of urgent situations involving the alliance with the potential to impact The Joint Commission’s interests and intervenes to remedy.
• Maintains and cultivates liaison relationships with key alliance partners, including the facilitation of regular meetings and delivers in-person and webinar-based educational sessions at industry-sponsored meetings.
• In conjunction with Business Analytics and Market Research, annually assesses the market share/market penetration of potential alliance partners to identify key partners in relation to Joint Commission business interests.
• Contributes to the creation of an annual environmental assessment of key health care industry sectors, and then using knowledge of The Joint Commission business interests, recommends to the ED, 3^rd Party Payer/Alliances proposed strategic alliances that create the most value for the Enterprise. 
• Identifies strategically important conferences to exhibit at and/or attend to maximize exposure to key personnel at organizations with whom The Joint Commission may wish to explore potential alliances.  
• Works directly with the VP, MDOE and other divisional leaders as a special project manager for MDOE as directed, including but not limited to the facilitation of research and special tracking projects as requested.
• Develops, reviews and implements legal/contractual agreements with strategic alliance partners, in conjunction with the Department of Legal Affairs.

• Five to ten years’ experience within health care, life science industries, or similar environments.
• Master’s Degree preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Joint Commission’s mission and activities, analytical experience, public speaking prowess and operational experience. Must be flexible and handle fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively and positively cultivate supportive relationships with current and prospective collaborative partners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to influence without authority and mediate/manage conflicts. 
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills are required. Project and change management skills required.  Strong computer skills also desirous.
• Travel required up to 25%, including weekends as needed.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. The description is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities, and working conditions associated with this position. All requirements are subject to possible modification and reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.