Executive Director, Health Affairs Publishing

Scion Executive Search is honored to partner with Project HOPE and Health Affairs in the search for its next Executive Director of Health Affairs Publishing , a pivotal leadership opportunity to guide one of the nation’s most influential and trusted health policy publications through its next era of growth, innovation, and financial sustainability. The Executive Director will provide enterprise-wide business and organizational leadership for Health Affairs, working in close partnership with the Editor-in-Chief, Health Affairs Management Board, and leadership of Project HOPE. This leader will be charged with developing and executing a forward-looking strategy that strengthens Health Affairs’ financial position, modernizes its business model and operations, expands and diversifies revenue, and positions its highly respected content for new audiences, products, partnerships, and platforms. This is an exceptional opportunity for an entrepreneurial and commercially minded executive who understands how to transform a respected, mission-driven organization without compromising the quality, credibility, independence, and trust that define its brand. This is a full-time hybrid opportunity for candidates in the Washington, DC area. ABOUT HEALTH AFFAIRS Health Affairs is the nation’s leading journal of health policy thought and research, providing a nonpartisan forum to promote analysis and discussion on improving health and health care and to address such issues as cost, quality, and access. For decades, Health Affairs has served as a trusted resource for policymakers, health care leaders, researchers, academics, journalists, advocates, funders, and other stakeholders seeking rigorous, evidence-based insight into the forces shaping health and health care. Health Affairs Publishing operates at the intersection of health policy, research, journalism, publishing, and public discourse. Its portfolio extends beyond the flagship journal to digital content, events, podcasts, newsletters, policy briefs, and other channels that bring important health policy research and analysis to broader audiences. Health Affairs Publishing is a wholly owned subsidiary of Project HOPE, an international health and humanitarian organization, while operating with its own leadership and governance structure. The next Executive Director will have an important role in navigating this relationship while advancing the distinct strategy, brand, and long-term sustainability of Health Affairs. At a moment of significant change across publishing, media, research dissemination, technology, and health policy, Health Affairs has an opportunity to build upon the extraordinary strength of its reputation while reimagining how its content, expertise, and platform can create even greater impact. POSITION OVERVIEW Reporting to the CEO of Project HOPE, the Executive Director will serve as the senior business and organizational leader of Health Affairs Publishing. This executive will guide the organization’s strategy, financial sustainability, operations, revenue growth, and organizational effectiveness while protecting the editorial independence and credibility that define the Health Affairs brand. The next Executive Director will lead Health Affairs through an important period of evolution, developing a more sustainable and diversified business model while identifying new opportunities to expand its reach, audiences, partnerships, products, and impact. This leader will bring the strategic vision to see what is possible, paired with the operational discipline to prioritize opportunities, align resources, and turn ideas into measurable results. Equally important, the Executive Director will be a thoughtful and transparent people leader who builds trust, creates clarity and accountability, and brings employees along through change. The ideal candidate will combine business acumen, entrepreneurial thinking, collaborative leadership, and deep respect for Health Affairs’ mission and reputation. RESPONSIBILITIES Set and execute Health Affairs’ enterprise strategy, partnering with the Management Board, Editor-in-Chief, senior leadership team, and Project HOPE to establish a compelling vision for the organization’s next chapter and translate that vision into measurable priorities, investments, and results. Develop a sustainable, diversified business model that reduces dependence on any single source of revenue and strengthens Health Affairs’ long-term financial resilience, evaluating both existing revenue streams and new opportunities for earned and contributed income. Lead growth and innovation across the Health Affairs portfolio, identifying opportunities to extend the organization’s trusted brand, content, expertise, and convening power through new products, services, partnerships, audiences, platforms, and experiences. Bring a market- and audience-oriented approach to organizational strategy, using data, research, customer and stakeholder insights, and performance metrics to better understand who Health Affairs serves today, who it could serve in the future, and where the greatest opportunities for impact and growth exist. Protect and strengthen the Health Affairs brand, ensuring that growth and innovation reinforce rather than compromise the credibility, rigor, nonpartisanship, editorial independence, and trust that distinguish the organization. Build a highly effective partnership with the Editor-in-Chief, establishing clear and mutually reinforcing roles between the editorial and business functions and creating the conditions for both editorial excellence and organizational sustainability. Provide strong financial leadership and stewardship, including oversight of budgeting, forecasting, revenue performance, resource allocation, investment decisions, and long-range financial planning. Develop greater visibility into organizational performance and ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities. Strengthen the organization’s fundraising