Executive Director, Digital Strategy

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that includes the Gary and Mary West Health Institute and Gary and Mary West Foundation in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. These organizations work together toward a shared mission: lowering the cost of healthcare to enable successful aging with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. For more information, westhealth.org and follow @westhealth

West Health’s focus is lowering healthcare costs, improving health outcomes, and enabling the creation of a system that is more transparent, competitive, affordable, person-centered, quality-driven, and sustainable. Specific focus areas include lowering national and consumer healthcare spending, promoting value-based care models, advancing integrated brain health, catalyzing patient-centered innovations, increasing price transparency, and limiting consumer exposure to high out-of-pocket costs.

POSITION SUMMARY

West Health is launching two digital platforms to serve as dynamic resources dedicated to delivering actionable, data-driven insights and stories to address healthcare challenges and create solutions for all aging Americans. We are seeking a strategic and experienced Executive Director of Digital Products to envision and lead the execution of our digital platform strategy—someone with the vision, entrepreneurial drive, storytelling talent, and leadership to elevate visibility, fuel growth, and position our digital products for maximum impact. This full-time hybrid role, with in-office presence required from Tuesday to Thursday, is responsible for managing West Health digital strategy, content calendar, and resolving ecosystem misalignments while ensuring editorial excellence.

Our two digital platforms include 1) Mosaic: A new digital platform offering advanced research capabilities, data visualizations, and key insights and analyses on the impact of healthcare costs, practices, and policies on aging in America, and 2) The Center on Healthcare in America: A platform (under development) to be the leading voice and trusted source for Americans’ experiences with healthcare via reliable data and compelling storytelling.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership:

Lead the development, implementation, and optimization of West Health’s various platforms, aligning them with the organization’s goals and vision.

Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure digital initiatives are integrated into the overall healthcare strategy, especially regarding aging and healthcare data.

Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that expand the reach, visibility, and impact of our digital platforms.

Manage Executive Steering Committee and Editorial Committee

Stakeholder and Partner Engagement:

A key responsibility of this role will be to foster relationships with external partners, including media outlets, healthcare organizations, and other key stakeholders, to expand the reach and impact of West Health.

Represent West Health in digital strategy discussions and forums related to healthcare and aging

Content and Product Management:

Oversee the management and curation of content across all platforms, ensuring its relevance, accuracy, and engagement with target audiences, including journalists, researchers, and healthcare professionals.

Guide the creation of data-driven features, articles, and resources that promote public education on aging, healthcare policy, and health outcomes.

Provide marketing direction for all West Health’s platforms.

User Experience (UX) and Design Oversight:

Direct the design and continuous improvement of user experience on West Health’s various sites, ensuring it’s intuitive, accessible, and optimized for a diverse range of users.

Data and Analytics:

Lead and manage multiple datacentric projects, including data collection, analysis, visualization, and dissemination, ensuring high standards of quality and usability.

Oversee the integration of advanced analytics and data tools to track user engagement and site performance, providing actionable insights to refine strategies.

Collaborate with product teams to ensure that analytics processes align with user experience goals and content effectiveness.

Team Management and Cross-functional Collaboration:

Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team, including digital strategists, content creators, UX/UI designers, developers, and data scientists.

Lead cross-functional collaboration with internal teams (e.g., research, policy, communications) to ensure seamless delivery of digital content and functionality.

Budget and Resource Management:

Develop and manage the digital budget for all West Health platforms, allocating resources effectively to ensure the successful execution of digital strategies and projects.

Ensure cost-effective solutions while maintaining high standards of quality.

Compliance and Accessibility:

Ensure the site adheres to all relevant healthcare regulations and policies, including privacy and data security requirements.

Oversee accessibility standards to make sure that the site is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Collaboration with Marketing:

Partner with marketing representatives to develop messaging, campaigns, and outreach strategies that effectively communicate the value of our digital products to target audiences.

Be involved in messaging, campaigns, and outreach plans to target audiences, such as healthcare professionals, policymakers, and aging-focused organizations.

Performance Metrics:

Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and impact of digital products, using data to drive continuous improvement.

Trends & Innovation:

Stay on top of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in digital product management and health data to keep the organization at the forefront of the field. QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

MBA or equivalent degree with strategic responsibility to advance and grow business lines/initiatives/projects

10+ years of experience in content creation, strategy, editorial leadership, or a related role, preferably in healthcare or policy sectors.

Proven experience managing and overseeing data-driven products, with a strong understanding of data product development, data visualization, and storytelling in a digital context.

Strong understanding of healthcare, aging, and policy issues, with the ability to translate data-driven insights and complex topics into accessible content.

Demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to proactively identify opportunities and guide the growth of our digital initiatives.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with marketing teams and diverse stakeholders.

Strategic thinker with a user-centered approach to product design and development.

Exceptional storytelling, writing, editing, and presentation skills, with the ability to inspire partners and senior leaders, cultivating clear alignment, and bringing strategic visions to life.

Proven ability to advise and effectively communicate with executives and senior management, providing strategic content recommendations and insights that align with the organization’s vision and goals.

Proficiency or ability to quickly learn content management systems and analytics tools.

Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Familiarity with health data standards (e.g., HIPAA) and ethical considerations in data use.

Must believe in public health and science.

This role requires a regular in-office presence from Tuesday through Thursday to support collaboration and business needs during core hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. Mondays and Fridays may be worked remotely, provided availability aligns with standard working hours. The primary focus is on fulfilling responsibilities, delivering results, and collaborating effectively with others. CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Vision & Execution

Collaborative Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Operational Excellence

Innovative Thinking & Adaptability

Effective Communication & Public Speaking

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The estimated compensation range for this position is $250,000 - $350,000

We gladly offer:

Up to 20% Annual Performance Bonus – rewarding your hard work and success.

Hybrid Work Schedule (Must be located in San Diego or Washington D.C.) - offering flexibility to balance your work and personal life.

Comprehensive Benefits Package – including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and a Flexible Spending Account to support your health and well-being.

100% Premium Coverage for Employee Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance, plus 70% coverage for dependents for medical, dental and vision – ensuring both you and your family are well cared for.

Generous 5% Retirement Plan Match – helping you build a secure financial future.

Professional Development Reimbursements – investing in your growth and career advancement.

15 Days of Paid Time Off plus 16 Paid Holidays – promoting a healthy work-life balance and time to recharge West Health Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, disability, or veteran's status.