Job Description
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) seeks a seasoned executive to serve as the Vice President of the Obesity Association (OA), a Division of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), focused on advancing evidence-based obesity prevention and care, reducing stigma, and improving health outcomes for individuals and communities affected by obesity and related cardiometabolic disease. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Obesity and Prevention, the Vice President will help shape and advance the national dialogue on obesity as a chronic disease. This role will oversee the development of high-impact obesity content that educates the public, engages health care professionals, and informs policymakers, reducing stigma, raising awareness, and expanding access to evidence-based obesity care. The Vice President will collaborate across advocacy, research, education, health access, communications, and partnerships to support initiatives that strengthen the Obesity Association’s scientific credibility and strategic impact across obesity prevention, treatment, long-term management, and related cardiometabolic disease. All content and initiatives will be held to the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethical responsibility, and mission alignment to drive meaningful impact for people living with obesity. This role requires an innovative, cross-functional leader with deep expertise in obesity who is skilled at translating science into strategy, guiding evidence-based initiatives, and influencing key stakeholders at local, national, and global levels. RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Content Leadership & Vision Contribute to Obesity Association strategy and identify emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in obesity prevention, treatment, long-term management, complications, related cardiometabolic disease, and access to care. Guide initiatives that drive impactful outcomes for people with obesity and those at risk for obesity-related and cardiometabolic disease. Oversee the execution of obesity-related programs, initiatives, educational offerings and public-facing work. Lead cross-functional ADA and partner teams to implement best-in-class on-time and on-budget delivery tactics that fulfill stakeholder and partner expectations and specified deliverables. Cross Functional Collaboration: Work closely with ADA departments, including but not limited to: research, advocacy, medical affairs, professional education/engagement, health equity, health access, marketing and communications, development, and partner relations to ensure an integrated approach toward obesity-related programs and initiatives. Examples include: Partner with Medical Affairs and provide clinical leadership support to the Professional Practice Committee for Obesity in development of clinical practice guidelines, including the Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity, consensus statements, and international reports Partner with Research to guide the development of innovative scientific and clinical initiatives that contribute to evidence-based solutions for obesity prevention, management, long-term care, and cardiometabolic health. Partner with Advocacy and Health Equity to support evidence-based efforts that address the socio-economic, environmental, and healthcare barriers to prevention, treatment, and access to obesity and cardiometabolic care. Partner with Professional Education and Engagement to guide obesity-focused educational initiatives directed to healthcare professionals and consumers. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to strengthen scientifically accurate and strategically aligned obesity messaging across internal and external channels. Provide clinical and scientific input into sponsored initiatives, strategic partnerships, contracts, and growth opportunities. Standards, Scientific Content, and Evidence Translation: Ensure the translation of obesity science into clear, credible, and actionable materials for healthcare professionals, partners, policymakers, and the public. Ensure all obesity-related educational materials, thought leadership, and communication assets are grounded in current scientific evidence, clinical guidance, and principles of health literacy and cultural competence. Provide expert clinical and scientific review of major obesity-related content and messaging to ensure consistency, scientific accuracy, and strategic alignment. Guide clinical and scientific alignment for standards-related work, educational initiatives, prevention-focused efforts, cardiometabolic health efforts, and other evidence-based activities of the Obesity Association. Help shape evidence-based narratives that increase awareness, reduce stigma, promote prevention, and support access to effective obesity and cardiometabolic care. External Relations Support Collaboration with advocacy groups, public health organizations, and industry leaders to align efforts on addressing obesity-related and cardiometabolic challenges, promoting shared goals, and enhancing public health outcomes. Support speaking engagements, conferences, roundtables, publications, and stakeholder forums that strengthen the clinical and scientific credibility of the Obesity Association. Strategic Support and Organizational Impact Support the clinical and scientific framing of external partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, and other mission-aligned collaborations. Provide thought partnership on opportunities that expand the reach, credibility, and impact of the Obesity Association. Partner with senior leadership to help ensure initiatives are positioned for long-term relevance, growth, and sustainability. Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing, and mission-driven culture that supports the continued growth and impact of the Obesity Association. Program Development & Execution Help to create initiatives that drive impactful outcomes for people living with obesity. Drive the creation and scaling of innovative programs in public education, healthcare professional training, and community engagement. Ensure all programs are grounded in the latest scientific evidence and best practices. Help to identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants and corporate partnerships, to support program growth. Collaborate with the obesity- focused scientific advisory groups to integrate ideas, recommendations and activities into research findings into public-facing initiatives. Provide direction supporting the execution of OA aligned innovative programs that involve multiple stakeholders and funders including external executives, ADA departments and senior leadership, volunteer leaders, field operations, members, and other constituents. Support the OA in identifying new opportunities for initiatives that align ADA’s strategic mission and revenue priorities with partner organizations. QUALIFICATIONS Holds an advanced clinical or scientific degree such as MD, DO, NP, PA, PharmD, RD/RDN, PhD, or equivalent in a healthcare-related field with relevance to obesity care, prevention, cardiometabolic disease, and chronic disease. 10+ years of progressive experience in clinical, scientific, academic, public health, or healthcare leadership roles, with significant senior leadership experience preferred. Deep expertise and understanding of obesity, including its causes, challenges, prevention, treatment, complications, related cardiometabolic disease, and public health implications. Strong track record of translating scientific evidence into strategy, education, standards-related work, prevention-focused efforts, public-facing initiatives, or thought leadership. Exceptional leadership, management, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire stakeholders at all levels. Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and manage complex, multi-disciplinary projects. Exceptional leadership, management, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire stakeholders at all levels. Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and manage complex, multi-disciplinary projects. Experience in obesity-related advocacy support, research, standards development, prevention, cardiometabolic health, or scientific advisory work is highly desirable. COMPETENCIES Clinical and scientific credibility Visionary and strategic mindset Science translation and evidence synthesis Strong organizational and cross-functional acumen Ability to drive change in a mission-driven organization Relationship-building and stakeholder management Advocacy and public speaking Expertise in obesity as a chronic disease and its relationship to cardiometabolic disease and prevention WHY WORK HERE The American Diabetes Association (ADA) offers a rewarding career working for one of the premier voluntary health organizations in the world supporting people with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Our employees like working at the ADA because of our mission, the inclusive environment, work-life balance, our benefits and our culture: Industry competitive base pay ranging from $150,000 - $220,000 for this role. Base offers are determined by several factors including but not limited to your relevant work experience, education, certifications, location, internal pay equity, etc. A culture of recognition including new hire welcome announcements, service anniversary awards, referral bonuses, monthly All Employee Assembly, appreciation awards Generous Paid Time Off, including holidays, vacation days, personal days and sick days Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), disability & life insurance, pet insurance and retirement savings Guided by our mission, we provide top tier diabetes supply coverage through our medical benefits program A company focus on offering mental health programs and work/life balance with most of our employees working remote Joining our dedicated team affords the gratification of knowing beyond a doubt that you will impact the lives and well-being of millions