Executive Director, Brain Health
San Diego, CA
Full Time
Executive
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 @westhealthWest 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
The Executive Director of Brain Health will serve as the senior leader responsible for developing and executing West Health Institute’s national strategy to improve brain health outcomes for older adults and the population at large. This role spans two interconnected pillars of work: (1) advancing integrated mental/behavioral health solutions, and (2) transforming the continuum of care for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
The Executive Director of Brain Health will oversee a dynamic and growing portfolio of care model innovation, policy advocacy, research, and stakeholder engagement, activating West Health’s assets to scale upstream, person-centered, and tech-enabled approaches that reduce stigma, improve access, and lower costs across the brain health spectrum. Understanding the business and incentives of the current and future healthcare system and advancing solutions that will be sustainable and scalable is an important component of this role.
GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy Development & Execution
- Lead the implementation of an integrated brain health strategy grounded in West Health’s pillars: technology innovation, care model transformation, and policy advocacy.
- Operationalize a national effort to scale evidence-based behavioral health and dementia care interventions, with a focus on empowering primary care and addressing workforce and payment challenges that impede progress in this area.
- Direct the execution of key strategic initiatives, including:
- National deployment of Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) and other integrated care models.
- Development and dissemination of standardized primary care toolkits for dementia screening and care planning.
- Scaling of early detection technologies and deployment of comprehensive brain health plans.
- Build and maintain high-level relationships with payers, policymakers, academic institutions, tech innovators, advocacy groups, and healthcare systems.
- Seek new partners such as health purchasers (e.g. large employers) that could/should have a vested interest in adding their voice and influence to advance brain health in the US.
- Represent West Health at national forums and coalitions, elevating brain health as a critical public health priority.
- Deepen understanding of lived experiences across patient, caregiver, and provider populations.
- Lead the cross-functional integration of behavioral health and dementia strategies across West Health’s portfolio.
- Manage and refine West Health’s “departures board”—a structured intelligence tool to track, prioritize, and support external efforts.
- Monitor progress and impact of portfolio investments.
- Lead a multidisciplinary team, including clinical, data science, policy, and communications professionals.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to align brain health initiatives with broader organizational mission and sustainability goals.
- Contribute to institutional thought leadership by developing media-facing materials, publications, toolkits, and policy briefs.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION
- Advanced degree (e.g., MD, PhD, MPH, DrPH, MBA) in medicine, public health, neuroscience, behavioral science, health policy, business, or a related field.
- At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare consulting, strategy, brain health policy, dementia care, or behavioral health innovation.
- Strong entrepreneurial orientation in growing and advancing new initiatives including strategy, marketing, and business development lenses
- Proven success leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with measurable systems-level impact.
- Expertise in healthcare transformation, with leadership experience in a healthcare system, government, industry, or consulting.
- Deep understanding of payment/reimbursement, market forces, value-based care models, and the roles of CMS, Medicaid, and commercial payers in scaling innovation.
- Skilled communicator with the ability to influence across clinical, policy, academic, and tech domains.
- 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.
- 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 DC) - 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
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