National Director of Expansion (Reproductive Healthcare)

Career Stage: Director

Organization Summary

Upstream USA is a fast-growing, national nonprofit working to expand opportunity by reducing unplanned pregnancy across the U.S. We envision a future where patient-centered contraceptive care is an integral part of primary care in all settings, for all people. In this future, patients are screened for their contraceptive needs; are offered patient-centered contraceptive counseling, free from bias and coercion, provided by knowledgeable providers and support staff following evidence-based guidelines; and can receive any contraceptive method of their choosing, during the same visit if they want, without logistical barriers.

Upstream promotes health equity by partnering with health centers to provide training and technical assistance to increase access to contraception, and address disparities and biases in contraceptive care. Surveys of patients getting care at Upstream-trained health centers consistently show that patients feel listened to, heard, and are able to access the contraceptive method of their choice. Our work empowers patients to decide if and when they want to become pregnant, a critical step towards improving maternal health, as well as positive outcomes for parents, children, and their families.

Upstream is growing rapidly and is well positioned for national scale and impact. After launching our program in Delaware in 2014, we have since partnered with health centers in Washington state, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Texas, Mississippi and Missouri. By 2023, Upstream will have partnered with health centers that serve over one million women of reproductive age annually across these states and more. Our work has been independently evaluated and has led to significant changes, including a 25% reduction in unplanned pregnancies in Delaware in just three years.

Upstream is funded primarily through philanthropic individuals and foundations, and does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies. Upstream’s budget has grown from $1.7 million just four years ago to approximately $40 million in 2022. Upstream’s work has also garnered attention from many leading publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN, Vox, Forbes, and Marie Claire.

Position Summary

The National Director of Expansion will lead Upstream’s efforts to develop partnerships with key stakeholders in states/markets where the organization has yet to develop a significant programmatic footprint. The National Director will set proactive strategies for stakeholder engagement in new states/markets and oversee a talented Expansion Team to develop and formalize partnerships that position Upstream for impact at scale. Specifically, the National Director and their team will cultivate relationships with state and local government officials, state-wide and place-based networks and associations, and influential healthcare leaders to drive deeper adoption of our mission and program. The National Director will take on a key leadership role within Upstream’s Growth function and report to the Vice President of Growth, Strategy, and Partnership Success. They will be an effective strategist, savvy relationship builder, and strong people manager who draws energy from launching new initiatives and exploring uncharted pathways to impact and growth. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

• Manage a talented Expansion Team charged with building stakeholder relationships across the country. Coach and mentor this team to effectively move from shaping state-based strategies to securing partnership opportunities that enable Upstream to significantly grow its reach. 

• Develop clear growth strategies for priority states/regions - including partnering closely with Upstream’s Strategy and Policy Teams. Use quantitative data, secondary research, relationship mapping, and growth frameworks to develop clear, actionable plans for outreach and engagement.

• Play a leadership role in developing and managing external relationships with key stakeholders - including but not limited to state executive and legislative branches, state departments of health, influential health care executives, mayoral offices, primary care associations, Title X grantees, and place-based collaboratives. You will likely manage a small portfolio of new partnership opportunities (though individuals on your team will be responsible for cultivating the majority of these relationships and opportunities). 

• Partner with various Upstream teams to regularly assess and analyze the U.S. healthcare landscape and to develop “archetypes” for the kind of settings Upstream may enter into. Codify Upstream’s various pathways for growth into new states/regions, develop its process for prioritizing where Upstream should focus its outreach, and define its process for evaluating and eventually greenlighting new partnerships. 

• As new and compelling partnership opportunities arise, work with your team to craft recommendations to Upstream leadership for greenlighting new partnerships (and associated staff/financial investments). Once a new partnership is greenlit, work cross-functionally to develop strategic plans (including partnership targets, policy pursuits, financial and staff resources required, etc.) that help operationalize the partnership.  

• Be a cross-functional leader. Keep other functional teams (e.g. Partnerships, Policy, Program) well informed on the Expansion Team’s progress towards building new partnerships. Develop a clear, smooth, and partner-friendly “hand off” process to other Upstream staff that will execute against a specific partnership. Support Upstream staff hired and/or assigned to support/lead the partnerships your team develops. 

• Work and manage contracts with third-party groups and individuals that help Upstream gain insight into particular states, regions, and/or communities we want to explore and/or pursue further. 

Required, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability

Upstream celebrates and fosters an inclusive work environment and encourages people of all identities, perspectives and backgrounds to apply.   

• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience, with a track record of building relationships and developing/deepening partnerships with a diverse range of decision makers and influential organizations (especially public sector leaders and institutions).
• Experience working in public health, reproductive health, and/or with mission-driven and public sector organizations. Some knowledge of state and/or local policy and advocacy is preferred.
• Experience considering issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion when building relationships and making decisions. Experience working in service of and in proximity to communities facing health disparities and inequities is preferred.
• Experience building strong relationships with leaders and organizations that span progressive, moderate, and conservative points of view. Some experience working in the U.S. South and/or Midwest is highly preferred.
• Experience developing actionable plans and strategies for partnership development, growth, and/or stakeholder engagement.
• Highly skilled communicator and influencer. Skilled writer and developer of presentations for executive-level audiences. Exceptional verbal communicator.
• Excellent project and people manager. Significant experience delegating responsibilities, coaching staff, and managing up. Ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and to effectively deliver and receive feedback.
• Goal oriented. Demonstrated ability to operate with a high-degree of self-motivation and a commitment to high-quality work.
• Commitment to Upstream’s mission and to mission driven work.
• Able to travel up to 40% for internal and external meetings.
• Upstream USA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policy requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination.
• All Upstreamers must also be able to attend work-related in-person meetings and functions as needed.
• In our hybrid work environments, there is a basic expectation that our Upstreamers will ensure that their work from home setups will have reliable access to phone and Internet to ensure connectivity to their teams.
• At Upstream we gather for moments that matter for training, teaming and connection. Our teams come together for occasional in person meetings and organizational retreats. As part of our hybrid work practices, this travel expectation will be applicable for all Upstreamers, even those based remotely.

Travel Requirements

This role will require up to 40 % of business travel. All Upstreamers can expect a minimum of 8 days of business travel per year to attend two annual organizational retreats and two annual team/department meetings.

Upstream Benefits

Upstream USA offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long and short term disability, 401K with a match, generous vacation, personal, sick and holiday time off, parental leave, professional development and a fitness and cell phone allowance for all full time employees and part time employees who work a minimum of 24 hours per week.

Hiring Range

The hiring range for this role is $104,213 to $160,000.  Final offers for this position will be based upon several ­factors including the scope of the role, market compensation analysis, position requirements, candidate’s experience level and capabilities, specific candidate geographic location, internal pay equity considerations and will be made within the parameters of Upstream USA's compensation framework and philosophy.

Upstream Careers

At Upstream, we embrace diversity. We nurture it and we thrive on it because it benefits our organization, our partners, and our community. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential.  Upstream is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. Learn more  about working at Upstream, our values, and our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Upstream USA participates in E-Verify.

Upstream Headquarters:

2 Oliver Street, Suite 402, Boston, MA 02109

www.upstream.org

No phone calls please.

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