Director of Programs

About KPCA:

The Kentucky Primary Care Association was founded in 1976 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation of community health centers, rural health clinics, primary care centers, and all other organizations and individuals concerned about access to health care services for the state’s underserved rural and urban populations.

KPCA is charged with promoting the mutual interests of our members, with a mission to promote access to comprehensive, community-oriented primary health care services for the underserved.

Association members are providers of primary care – first contact, broadly trained physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, behavioral health providers, dental providers, pharmacists, and other professionals delivering whole-person health care.

We support the development of primary care services throughout the Commonwealth by working with federal, state, and local legislators, regulatory agencies, health policy organizations, foundations, and payers to build a stronger primary care system in Kentucky.

About Role:

The Director of Programs reports to the Chief Administrative Officer and serves as a senior leader responsible for advancing KPCA’s programmatic strategy in alignment with member needs and organizational priorities. This role requires demonstrated experience working with Community Health Centers (CHCs) and other safety-net providers, as well as the ability to design, coordinate, and deliver meaningful technical assistance that supports operational excellence, compliance, and sustainability.

A core responsibility of this position is to develop, manage, and oversee the KPCA | HRSA Collaborative Agreement, including coordination with internal teams, external partners, and participating members to ensure compliance, effectiveness, and measurable impact. As organizational needs require, the Director of Programs may also be called upon to support or lead advocacy functions and workforce development strategies in alignment with KPCA’s legislative agenda and member priorities.

This position will also spearhead workforce initiatives that strengthen recruitment, retention, training, and pipeline development for Kentucky’s primary care workforce. The scope and focus of this role may evolve in response to member needs but will consistently emphasize program quality, technical assistance, collaboration, and value creation for KPCA membership.

This is an at-will position. 

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Member Engagement and Relationship Management

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective KPCA members through regular communication, site engagement, events, roundtables, committees, and workgroups.
• Develop structured processes to understand member challenges, priorities, successes, and long-term vision.
• Represent KPCA at industry meetings, conferences, and professional associations to enhance organizational visibility and credibility.

Program Development, Technical Assistance, and Oversight

• Design, implement, and evaluate programs, initiatives, and technical assistance offerings that advance KPCA’s mission and directly support Community Health Centers and other safety-net providers.
• Collaborate with internal departments to deliver coordinated, high-quality programming and technical assistance that supports membership value, growth, and operational effectiveness.
• Conduct market and environmental scans to identify emerging trends, best practices, and opportunities relevant to primary care and safety-net providers.

KPCA | HRSA Collaborative Agreement Management

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of the KPCA | HRSA Collaborative Agreement.
• Coordinate with participating members, partners, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with program goals, timelines, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor deliverables, performance metrics, and reporting obligations associated with the Collaborative Agreement.
• Identify opportunities to expand, refine, or leverage the Collaborative Agreement to maximize impact for KPCA members.

Partnerships, Policy, Advocacy, and Funding

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, elected officials, educational institutions, advocacy partners, and community organizations.
• Support and as assigned, lead workforce development strategies and member advancement initiatives through strategic partnerships, training collaborations, and external programs.
• Conduct research and analysis on policy and system issues impacting primary care and underserved populations, and support advocacy strategies and member engagement as needed.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities that support KPCA programs and member initiatives and share relevant opportunities with KPCA members.

Key Competencies:

• Strong relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to manage complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders
• Knowledge of funding sources, grants, and program management
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong written and verbal presentation skills
• Familiarity with advocacy, grassroots engagement, or coalition-building preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to KPCA’s mission, values, and ethical standards

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working with Community Health Centers (CHCs), Rural Health Clinics, or similar safety-net health care organizations strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in a related field required
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience
• Experience in program management, partnerships, health policy, or nonprofit leadership preferred
• Ability to perform essential job functions, including sitting, standing, walking, bending, and working at a computer
• Flexibility to work 40 hours per week and occasional evenings or weekends as required

Our Mission:

Improving Kentucky’s capacity to care.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) match.
• People-oriented culture.