Program Consultant, Health Care

Program Consultant, Professional Certification

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today's biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Program Consultant, Professional Certification, supporting our National Center office in Dallas, TX. This position can be home-based.

This is a full time, benefits eligible, grant funded opportunity. Current funding will expire on 6/30/2029, with the possibility of extension.

The Program Consultant will lead the development, enhancement, and implementation of professional certification programs, certification pathways, and pivotal initiatives. This role applies expertise in certification development, program design, project management, and emerging cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) and heart failure care models to advance high‑quality certification products. The position partners with cross‑functional teams, scientific volunteers, and healthcare collaborators to ensure certifications reflect current evidence, guidelines, and procedures.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

The AHA Life is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of professional certification programs, including the creation of certification blueprints, competency frameworks, and assessment items aligned with our guidelines and chronic disease clinical standards.
• Develop and implement strategies for launching and scaling certification pathways, serving as the primary contact for internal teams, subject‑matter experts, advisory committees, and external partners.
• Conduct environmental scans and needs assessments to identify new certification opportunities related to metabolic health, CKM care, heart failure, hypertension, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions.
• Translate the American Heart Association scientific statements and clinical evidence into learning objectives, curricula, and training pathways that support certification development and professional education.
• Build evaluation frameworks to measure program outcomes, healthcare impact, and reach, particularly within CKM and chronic disease care models.
• Lead complex, multi‑stakeholder projects, developing project plans, timelines, risk assessments, and communication strategies to ensure deliverables are met on time and in alignment with scope and science‑based priorities.
• Facilitate meetings, decision‑making, and cross‑functional collaboration, ensuring programs remain scientifically accurate and operationally efficient.
• Track KPIs and prepare reports for leadership, scientific councils, and external collaborators, maintaining documentation required for accredited certification pathways.
• Recommend and implement operational improvements to strengthen certification program performance, user experience, and long‑term scalability and growth.
• Communicate effectively with vendors, volunteers, clinical experts, and internal collaborators to support overall business objectives and program success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare, healthcare administration, public health, education, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in program management, certification or credentialing program development, or professional education.
• Strong knowledge of the certification lifecycle, project management principles, competency frameworks, adult learning theory, and assessment design.
• Excellent verbal, written, facilitation, and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to think strategically and navigate systems‑level challenges to support long‑term program growth and sustainability.
• Foundational clinical understanding of chronic disease, including CKM‑related concepts, to ensure certification programs reflect current and emerging scientific evidence.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to effectively engage volunteers, clinical experts, advisory groups, and cross‑functional collaborators.
• Experience in customer acquisition and engagement strategies, leveraging technology to promote program growth.
• Proficiency in data‑driven planning, evaluation, and reporting to support program decision‑making and continuous improvement.
• Commitment to quality improvement, continuous learning, and maintaining high scientific and operational standards.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to adapt messaging for multiple audiences while maintaining focus on our mission.
• Ability to travel up to 10% nationally with overnight stay.

Compensation & Benefits

The expected pay range will be $70,000 to $90,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That's why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association's national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association's 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities

#AHAIND3, #LI-Remote