Associate Vice President, Administration

Heartland Whole Health Institute is a non-profit that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being by working with health systems, employers, and communities to redesign health care delivery. Job Description: Job Title: Associate Vice President, Administration Reports to: President FLSA Classification: Exempt Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site) Date Reviewed: 3/30/2026 Who We Are Heartland Whole Health Institute (HWHI) is dedicated to transforming health care – beginning in our home of Northwest Arkansas and scaling to disrupt the national health crisis. We advocate, educate, and guide the implementation of an innovative system, rooted in whole health and the realignment of financial incentives. Our team members are collaborative, analytical, mission-driven, and working together to change the status quo. The Institute’s 85,000-square-foot facility is located on the campus of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art near Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. About The Position The Associate Vice President, Administration (AVP) plays a pivotal role in advancing HWHI’s strategy. As the organization’s senior administrative leader, this role ensures operational excellence, drives organizational alignment, and provides high-level administrative and strategic support to the President. The AVP manages executive operations, oversees Board engagement, coordinates cross-organizational administrative functions, and leads internal communication and workflow across departments. The AVP operates as a trusted partner, integrator, and implementer, translating vision into action while cultivating collaboration across internal teams and external partners. This role requires a strategic, experienced leader who is equally skilled in big-picture thinking and tactical execution, with a passion for transforming health care and driving measurable impact. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Executive Administration and President Support  - Provide high-level administrative and operational support to the President, ensuring day-to-day effectiveness and alignment with organizational priorities. - Oversee full executive support operations, including meeting preparation, briefing materials, follow-up tracking, and management of high-priority initiatives. - Manage the President’s office calendar strategy, ensuring adequate preparation time, priority alignment, and utilization of the President’s time. - Serve as a strategic advisor and implementer for the President, ensuring alignment of initiatives with the Founder’s Intent and organizational mission.  - Lead organizational goal setting and performance tracking through the development and execution of project plans, scorecards, and KPIs.  - Lead the development and execution of annual planning cycles and strategic plan processes, in partnership with leadership to ensure alignment with organizational priorities, measurable outcomes, and execution readiness. - Oversee the evaluation of programs and initiatives across HWHI, using data analysis and reporting to drive continuous improvement and impact.  - Manage cross-functional initiative tracking and support interdepartmental collaboration to drive alignment and operational efficiency.  - Represent the President in key meetings, ensuring follow-through on directives and supporting effective executive communication.  - Drive efficiency among the Leadership Team by identifying collaborative opportunities and leveraging existing partnerships.  - Lead the design and execution of Founder communications, including reporting processes, meeting cadences, and feedback loops.  - Support Founder-led and exploratory initiatives by assessing opportunities and coordinating strategic responses.  Board Engagement and Governance - Plan, coordinate, and execute Board of Directors meetings, including agendas, materials, logistics, governance documentation, and follow-up actions. - Serve as the primary liaison to Board members and their offices, ensuring timely communication, engagement, and high-quality deliverables on behalf of the President. Organizational Administration and Cross-Functional Coordination - Serve as HWHI’s primary liaison to AWE support services. - Ensure coordinated administrative processes across these functions, streamline communication, and support efficient resolution of operational needs. - Lead organizational administrative systems, communications workflow, and standardized processes across departments, including establishing and maintaining operating rhythms, planning cadences, and cross-functional coordination frameworks. Stakeholder Strategy and Initiative Leadership  - Facilitate collaboration and engagement with internal and external stakeholders to drive innovation and shared success.  - Lead coordinated execution of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across HWHI, the School of Medicine, the Health Care Campus, and Founder-driven priorities.  - Oversee project execution from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, clear ownership, and measurable outcomes in collaboration with responsible leaders and teams.  People Leadership and Culture  - Plan and execute regular team meetings, offsites, retreats, and team-building opportunities to promote strong culture and alignment. - Support internal communication rhythms, including leadership team updates, all-staff communications, and organizational planning cycles. - Champion a culture of excellence, accountability, and growth across all levels of the organization.  - Foster professional development, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the team.  - Manage staff within the President’s Office. - Develop the team’s capabilities, assign priorities, and ensure the delivery of high-quality administrative output. - Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs. Qualifications and Requirements - Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree (e.g., MPH, MBA, MPA, MD, PhD) strongly preferred.  - 10–12+ years of progressive cross-functional experience as a chief of staff, chief administrative officer, director-level leader, or similar capacity required.  - Senior leadership experience in operations, strategy, health care, public health, philanthropy, or nonprofit sectors preferred.  - Proven success managing people, operations, budgets, and complex projects.  - Excellent strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change management skills.  - Strong financial and operational acumen.  - Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, and visual communication skills.  - Demonstrated ability to lead in dynamic, high-growth, mission-driven environments.  - Experience working with boards and senior leaders.  - Demonstrated commitment to mission-aligned leadership.  - High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion. - Passion for innovation and long-term impact in health and well-being.  - Ability to thrive in a dynamic, visionary environment with a commitment to service and excellence.  Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands: In the work environment described, position requires sitting at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time and good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, and physical stamina to lift and transport a minimum of 10 pounds. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job. Work environment: Work is performed full-time (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) in a professional, climate-controlled office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. The role also requires interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some travel may be required, and a flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours. Heartland Whole Health Institute is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and a background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.