Vice President, Value-Based Initiatives

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: Vice President, Value-Based Initiatives

Reports to: President

FLSA Classification: Exempt
Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

Date Reviewed: 10/20/2025

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 Vice President, Value-Based Initiatives (VP) is responsible for shaping and advancing HWHI’s efforts to design, implement, and expand whole health care delivery and value-based financing models in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. Core areas of focus include program governance, stakeholder alignment, care model innovation, provider engagement, performance management, and cross-functional accountability mechanisms that ensure the effective delivery of programs and initiatives.

The VP brings a deep understanding of value-based care delivery and financing approaches, with particular expertise in leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives that span clinical, operational, and financial domains. This role serves as the primary point of accountability across internal teams, external partners, and key stakeholders to ensure alignment with program goals, timelines, and performance outcomes, while maximizing impact.

Success in this role requires strategic systems thinking, strong facilitation skills, and the ability to lead at the intersection of strategy and project management. As a member of the senior leadership team, the VP collaborates closely with the President, executive leadership, and teams across research and scholarly partnerships, health digital and innovation, and policy and workforce development to shape and execute organizational strategy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and direct the execution of multi-year programs, including a longitudinal study of a comprehensive whole health program to improve cardiometabolic disease management.
• Translate strategic priorities into operational plans with clear milestones, KPIs, and ownership across internal teams and external partners.
• Ensure alignment between HWHI leadership, funders, and external partners in the advancement of whole health and value-based care strategies.
• Promote care coordination, care management, and population health strategies to enhance patient outcomes and reduce costs.
• Contribute to the Institute’s strategic vision for whole health transformation through care model and payment model reform.
• Work closely with the research team to deliver publications and studies that further the mission of HWHI.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align value-based initiatives with research, policy, workforce, and digital efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and manage relationships with senior executives, health systems, employers, payers, and community partners to build shared ownership of initiatives.
• Facilitate daily internal and periodic external governance and coordination meetings to ensure shared understanding of program objectives and progress.
• Serve as the primary liaison for complex partner interactions, escalating issues as appropriate to executive sponsors.
• Build and expand partnerships through continuous engagement, recruitment of new employers and health systems, and strategic change management to support value-based care adoption.

Program Delivery and Risk Management

• Oversee cross-functional workstreams, coordinating delivery timelines, dependencies, and resources to ensure execution of program goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams (e.g., communications, legal, procurement) to resolve bottlenecks and ensure smooth execution against key milestones.
• Monitor workstream execution to maintain program timeline and workplan.
• Establish and oversee performance tracking systems tied to HWHI’s organizational KPIs.
• Oversee preparation and presentation of executive briefings, program reports, and stakeholder updates.
• Manage internal and external communications related to program milestones, outcomes, and governance.
• Ensure leadership visibility into key risks, decisions, and performance indicators.
• Anticipate risks, implement mitigation strategies, and manage issue escalation to protect program success.
• Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across delivery partners.

Provider and Program Support

• Develop and deliver education programs for clinicians, health system leaders, and payers on whole health principles and value-based care strategies.
• Provide strategic guidance to partner medical staff and healthcare teams on integrating clinical services with organizational goals.
• Support the development of wellness programs, integrated into a clinical setting, and measure the impact of preventative, wellness programs on clinical outcomes and total cost of care.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a dynamic and growing team of leaders and specialists fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings and performance evaluations, providing feedback and professional development opportunities.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members to ensure alignment with HWHI standards and practices.
• Monitor and manage team performance, addressing attendance, conduct, or productivity issues promptly and professionally.
• Encourage employee engagement and morale through recognition and open communication practices.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Master’s degree in public health, business administration, public policy, or related field; Doctoral or clinical degree (MD, RN, etc.) preferred.
• 10–15+ years of progressive experience in program leadership, governance, strategic planning, or philanthropy within healthcare or complex multi-partner environments.
• Proficiency with project management and performance tracking tools (e.g., Asana, SharePoint) and the ability to leverage systems for organizational effectiveness.
• In-depth knowledge of health care systems, payment models, and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and sustain senior-level stakeholder relationships across diverse organizations.
• Deep understanding of governance, risk management, and program delivery frameworks.
• Proven leadership abilities with a strong track record of managing cross-functional teams and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong strategic vision paired with operational discipline, exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and change management expertise.
• Skilled spokesperson with excellent written, verbal, presentation, executive reporting and negotiation capabilities.
• Strong understanding of health care operations, clinical processes, and the broader health care system.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and inspire diverse internal and external audiences effectively.
• High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with utmost discretion.
• Demonstrated financial acumen and resource management expertise.
• Natural problem solver, creative, inquisitive, and open-minded, with a bold approach to innovation.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and innovative environment where change is constant.

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 local travel will 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.