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Posted July 18, 2026

Senior Director, Patient Engagement

National Kidney Foundation
Remote, Other / Non-US, United States 10016 Full Time
Reference: 285923477

National Kidney Foundation

WHO WE ARE

Fueled by passion and urgency, the National Kidney Foundation is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, NKF focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health. Relentless in our work, we enhance lives through action, education, and accelerating change.

WHAT WE BELIEVE IN

NKF’s Mission is what we do; our Values are how we do it

  • Accountability — Earn and keep trust
  • Collaboration — Work as a team
  • Communication — Empower with information
  • Community — Build stronger community
  • Compassion — Lead with care and respect
  • Impact — Focus on the mission Your Voice Matters: kidney.org/about/diversity-equity-inclusion

Your Voice Matters: https://www.kidney.org/about/diversity-equity-inclusion


POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Patient Engagement leads NKF’s patient engagement strategy, ensuring the patient voice is meaningfully integrated across research, policy, advocacy, education, and program development. This role builds and manages relationships with patients, care partners, volunteers, and external stakeholders to advance patient-centered initiatives across the kidney community.

Working collaboratively across NKF teams and with external partners, the Senior Director develops engagement opportunities such as advisory boards, focus groups, surveys, and interviews; recruits and supports patient volunteers; and helps establish best practices for meaningful patient partnership. The role also serves as a thought leader in patient engagement, helping shape organizational strategy and foster a culture of inclusive collaboration that improves care and outcomes for people affected by kidney disease.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

  • Coordinate strategic patient engagement initiatives across NKF and with external partners to ensure the patient voice is meaningfully integrated into research, care, advocacy, drug development, educational initiatives, and program development
  • Develop and lead training programs, tools, and resources for patient volunteers, advocates, living donors, care partners, and community members to support meaningful engagement across all levels of care, research, and policy
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative research activities, including interviews, focus groups, survey design, data analysis, and preparation of narrative summaries and insight reports
  • Co-author white papers, abstracts, posters, manuscripts, and other publications in collaboration with patients, care partners, and family stakeholders
  • Serve as an NKF spokesperson on patient engagement, patient-centered programming, kidney disease care, and treatment, as appropriate
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including patient advocates, community organizations, healthcare providers, government agencies, advocacy groups, and pharmaceutical companies
  • In collaboration with the Kidney Learning Solutions (KLS) team and other cross-functional teams, consulting and supporting patient-centered programs and services designed to educate, empower, and support individuals affected by kidney disease. This includes print and digital educational materials, surveys, research projects, and needs assessments
  • Collaborate closely with NKF’s grassroots advocacy network, including the Kidney Advocacy Committee, and partner with the Government Relations team to coordinate advocacy and patient engagement activities
  • Support patient engagement related business development initiatives, revenue strategy, grant development, and funder deliverables
  • Partner with Government Relations, as needed, to advance initiatives and policies that support individuals affected by chronic kidney disease and dialysis, including analysis of legislation and regulatory proposals impacting constituents
  • Stay informed on emerging trends, public policy, legislation, medical advances, research, publications, and conferences related to kidney disease and dialysis care
  • Perform additional duties as assigned

    • WHAT YOU’LL BRING

  • Master’s degree from an accredited college or university required; MPH or MSW preferred
  • Minimum of five (5) years of related experience working in a multifaceted nonprofit organization
  • Strong stakeholder engagement, relationship management, and coalition-building skills
  • Experience with patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and patient/public involvement and engagement (PPIE)
  • Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, data analysis, and impact measurement
  • Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program development, and execution
  • Ability to translate complex medical and scientific information into patient-friendly language
  • Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, consultation, and planning abilities
  • Experience with volunteer engagement, advisory boards, community outreach, and digital engagement strategies preferred
  • Knowledge of the current healthcare environment, including trends, challenges, policy, and issues impacting patients and healthcare professionals
  • Experience advancing health equity initiatives and engaging historically underrepresented and underserved communities strongly preferred
  • Experience with communications strategy, storytelling, public speaking, and content development preferred
  • Knowledge of healthcare policy, regulatory, advocacy, and clinical research environments preferred
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an integrated, cross-functional team
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, databases, social media platforms, and digital collaboration tools
  • Experience with grant support, partnership development, and cross-sector collaboration preferred
  • Ability to travel occasionally, including overnight and weekend travel, as needed (approximately five trips annually), and work additional hours when required

    •  

    LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

    • Accountability — Establishes organizational accountability, driving performance across all levels
    • Change Leadership — Delivers or leads large-scale organizational change, setting direction and guiding teams through transformation
    • Collaboration — Leads collaborative efforts across the organization and actively builds partnerships with external stakeholders to advance the mission
    • Data-Driven Decision Making & Results Orientation — Leverages accurate, comprehensive analytics to guide strategic planning, sets high-impact targets, and ensures delivery on commitments
    • Operational Excellence — Leads or delivers large-scale operational improvements that elevate organizational performance
    • Stakeholder Engagement — Shapes and directs a broad spectrum of strategic stakeholders to influence policy and advance NKF’s impact
    • Financial Acumen — Applies strategic financial judgment in planning, resource allocation, and long-term sustainability
    • People Leadership — Sets high-impact goals, develops talent, and ensures teams deliver on strategic commitments
    • Innovation — Champions strategic innovation and process optimization that position NKF as a leader in kidney health
    • DEI 4A & Cultural Humility — Advances diversity, equity, and inclusion for all, ensuring policies, programs, and services are designed with an equity lens

    WORKING CONDITIONS & SPECIAL INFORMATION

    This role requires unimpeachable integrity and trustworthiness, with a high degree of tact, discretion, and professionalism. It operates in a fast-paced, high-profile environment and depends on excellent verbal and written communication and the ability to maintain effectiveness under pressure. Standard office technology and collaboration tools are used daily. The position may require occasional lifting of materials up to 25 lbs., overnight business travel, and flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

    At the National Kidney Foundation, diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity apply to both our workforce and the communities we serve as they relate to kidney health and kidney disease prevention. It is the policy of NKF to provide equality of employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, qualified handicap or disability, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender, political affiliation or veteran status, or any other factor or reason prohibited by relevant local, state, and federal fair employment laws.

    The Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all employment practices of NKF, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, layoffs, transfers, and discipline. Implementation of the Equal Employment Opportunity policy is the shared responsibility of the management of NKF. The National Kidney Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

    DISCLAIMER

    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be considered an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

    The salary band listed reflects the range for this position. Actual compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and other relevant factors.





    Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

    PI285923477

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