Senior Director of Texas Research Strategy & Partnerships

The Alzheimer’s Association is seeking a dynamic, mid to established career scientist to advance Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia research strategy across Texas. This individual will serve as a scientific leader, convener, and connector—bringing together universities, research institutions, hospitals, and public and private partners to accelerate impactful research, including the effective implementation of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) priorities in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association.

The ideal candidate combines scientific credibility with strategic thinking, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills. They will be highly collaborative, energetic, and comfortable engaging diverse interested parties across academic, clinical, nonprofit, and government settings. This role requires regular statewide travel to participate in meetings, convenings, and partnership-building activities. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategy & Implementation 

•  Collaborate with Alzheimer’s Association leadership and Texas interested parties to develop and implement strategies aligned with DPRIT and Association priorities.
•  Identify and advance opportunities for collaboration with Texas institutions and the Alzheimer’s Association that accelerate dementia research, prevention, and care innovation across Texas.
•  Translate scientific goals into actionable programs, partnerships, and initiatives.

Convening & Partnership Development 

•  Convene, facilitate and participate in health science related meetings, workshops, and cross-sector forums among universities, health systems, research centers, and community partners across the state of Texas.
•  Build and maintain strong relationships with Texas health sciences community, including academic investigators, institutional leaders, biotech, clinicians, and policymakers.
•  Identify DPRIT/Alzheimer's Association collaborative opportunities for multi-institutional collaborations, joint proposals, and shared infrastructure and implement these opportunities proactively.
•  Serve as a trusted scientific liaison representing the Alzheimer’s Association statewide on health sciences related collaboration/program, including related to DPRIT.

Scientific Leadership & Advising 

•  Provide scientific insight and subject matter expertise to inform strategy, funding priorities, and program design.
•  Monitor emerging trends in Alzheimer’s and dementia research and recommend innovative approaches, specifically as they relate to opportunity within DPRIT.
•  Support alignment of DPRIT and/or Alzheimer’s Association research investments with community and health system needs.

Engagement & Communication 

•  Communicate complex scientific concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including researchers, clinicians, funders, and community interested parties.
•  Represent the Alzheimer’s Association at conferences, institutional meetings, and other statewide events.
•  Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture among partners.

Qualifications: Required 

• PhD in neuroscience, public health, biomedical sciences, or a related field required. Applicants with an MD and relevant research experience are also encouraged to apply.
•  7–10+ years of research, clinical research, or research administration experience in neurosciences, with a preference for neurodegenerative, including Alzheimer’s or related disorders and aging, research experience
•  Demonstrated experience working with academic, biotech, clinical, or research institutions on collaborative strategies and program implementation/ activation
•  Proven ability to build partnerships and lead cross-organizational initiatives
•  Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
•  Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills
•  Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout Texas

Qualifications: Preferred 

•  Experience with state-level research initiatives or public-private partnerships
•  Experience convening multidisciplinary stakeholders or leading collaborative networks
•  Experience in nonprofit, foundation, or research funding environments

Key Competencies 

•  Strategic and systems thinker
•  Creative and entrepreneurial mindset
•  High energy and self-motivated
•  Personable and relationship-driven
•  Organized and execution-focused
•  Comfortable working independently across a large geographic region

Location:                    Texas (remote) with extensive travel  (50%)

Work Schedule:          Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)

Reports To:                SVP, Med & Scientific Operations 

Position Grade & Compensation: Grade 513 The Alzheimer's Association’s good faith expectation for the salary range for this role is between $155,000-$195,000

This position is eligible for a bonus based on both individual and organizational performance, up to 6%

Who We Are:

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia– by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. 

The Alzheimer’s Association announced a landmark $100 million investment in research for 2023. This unparalleled commitment is illustrative of the momentum we are building in dementia research — our investments today will lead to breakthroughs tomorrow. 

At the Alzheimer’s Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk for the disease. 

We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers and those that may develop the disease in the future. Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website www.alz.org/jobs to explore who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work for the last twelve years in a row. 

At the Alzheimer's Association®, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity — meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association commitment remains steadfast in engaging all communities in our full mission. The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment to the fullest extent required by law, including, but not limited to, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, long term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan. Please click HERE for more information.

Full time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing. 

Qualified Applicants with arrest or Conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act at the Alzheimer's Association.

The Alzheimer's Association will conduct an individualized assessment of the material job duties of this job include working with vulnerable communities which the employer may reasonably believe that Criminal History may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship for the safety of the community. 

The background check will include searches for: social security person search, public reports, county & federal criminal reports, multi-jurisdictional, sex offender database, NSOPW national sex offender, education, employment history, motor vehicle or driving history, and reference checks.