Associate VP of Strategic Network Development

If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an

Sr. Associate Vice-President

Position Summary:

The AVP of Strategic Network Development is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and expanding strategic referral, partnership, and business development opportunities that increase community impact, improve care coordination, and support organizational growth. This position will serve as Acenda’s lead relationship strategist, building high-value partnerships with healthcare organizations, government agencies, schools, nonprofit organizations, managed care organizations, employers, and community stakeholders.

This position will be responsible for developing sustainable, mission-driven referral ecosystems across the region that improve access to care while supporting Acenda’s organizational sustainability. The role will leverage market intelligence, data analytics, AI-enabled prospecting tools, and relationship management strategies to identify unmet community needs, develop strategic partnerships, and create measurable referral pathways across Acenda’s integrated system of care.

This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer. As an integrated health organization, Acenda values the use of evidence-based practice or EBP’s.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute Acenda’s enterprise-wide strategic network development plan in collaboration with Executive Leadership, Programmatic Teams, Brand Marketing & Engagement, and other stakeholders as required.
• Identify new, and expand existing, referral opportunities across healthcare, behavioral health, education, housing, justice, education, and social service sectors in alignment with programmatic and contract needs.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with referral partners throughout New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Develop formal referral agreements, memorandums of understanding (MOUs), and collaborative partnerships as needed to support referral pathways and workflows.
• Represent Acenda at regional, statewide, and national meetings, coalitions, and networking events.
• Serve as one of the organization’s key relationship ambassador with key community stakeholders, in addressing any issues or concerns related to referral networks.
• Continuously monitor healthcare market trends, policy changes, funding opportunities, and community needs.
• Develop geographic referral maps and service area heat maps to identify underserved populations and expansion opportunities.
• Analyze competitor activity and emerging market opportunities.
• Maintain an enterprise partnership pipeline and growth dashboard that includes KPI’s which monitor referral volume, conversion rates, partner engagement, geographic penetration, service gaps and other strategically impactful metrics.
• Lead implementation of technology solutions that improve network development including AI-powered prospect identification, CRM optimization, referral intelligence dashboards, GIS mapping, predictive analytics, and partnership scoring models. Support Acenda’s culture of collaboration and service integration across programmatic service lines.

Required Skills/Competencies:

Communication Requirements

• Works collaboratively with all staff to effectively communicate and problem solve.
• Appropriately and timely communicates job related concerns to supervisor and staff, and make suggestions for improvement; Conducts self in a professional manner that positively reflects the agency culture.

Administrative Oversight Requirements

• Follows agency policies and procedures and ensures same in others.
• Oversee the use of data to ensure best practice.

Necessary Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to analyze work, set goals, develop plans and utilize time effectively and efficiently.
• Must regularly be able to see, speak and hear. Frequently required to stand, sit, walk, bend, use hands and arms and must occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Must be sensitive, flexible and responsive to gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other diverse needs as reflected in the ability to communicate with staff and/or clients.

Education, Work Experience and/or Skills Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10+ years’ experience in external customer relationship leadership roles and business development
• 10+ years’ experience in leading cross-or…