ACI Alliance seeks its next Executive Director! Learn more & apply
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Posted by: Jessica Houk
ACI Alliance Executive Director Position Announcement Position Overview American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACI Alliance) seeks a skilled healthcare advocate with deep knowledge of governmental affairs to serve as its next Executive Director (E.D.). In partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads ACI Alliance’s efforts to fulfill its mission “to advance access to the gift of hearing provided by cochlear implantation through research, advocacy and awareness.” ACI Alliance is a membership association of nearly 3,000 cochlear implant (CI) clinicians, educators, scientists, speech language pathologists, advocates, parents and consumers. The Alliance’s robust advocacy program with over 200 State Champions carries out initiatives at the state and national levels. Its annual Conference on Cochlear Implants convenes more than 1000 attendees to share and learn. The ACI Alliance stimulates and supports research in the field, and its website serves as the leading non-commercial source of information on cochlear implants. The Executive Director serves as chief executive under the direction of the Board of Directors and oversees all aspects of ACI Alliance strategy and operations. The E.D. is responsible for management and support of staff, volunteers, and contractors; participation in collaborations and partnerships; membership engagement and expansion; advocacy and awareness-building; conference and event planning; financial management and fundraising; and legal compliance. Ideal candidates will bring a background in healthcare-related governmental affairs/advocacy, experience in association or nonprofit management, stellar communications skills, and a propensity for collaborating with individuals and organizations in mission-driven initiatives. Key Duties & Responsibilities Advocacy ● In collaboration with the Advocacy Director and contracted lobbyist, devise and lead ACI Alliance’s advocacy efforts with deep engagement of members and allies in priority policies, regulations and issues.
● Support 200+ State Champions and work to expand the program.
● Collaborate with allied organizations to advance advocacy priorities.
● Organize in-person and virtual meetings between advocates and elected or appointed officials.
● Earn credibility and ensure regular communication with elected and appointed officials to advance strategic priorities.
● Facilitate the creation of issue papers, infographics and other position-informing resources. Awareness ● Serve as the public face of the organization, representing ACI Alliance at events and speaking engagements, to media outlets, and with decision-makers.
● Ensure ACI Alliance serves as the premier source of research-based information to support increased access to cochlear implantation and that publicly available resources (Wikipedia, others) contain accurate and up-to-date content.
● Monitor emerging topics that impact CI access and awareness, and make position statements as appropriate.
● With support of a meeting planning firm, coordinate with ACI Alliance Conference Committee to oversee the design and management of conferences and events.
● Seek out opportunities for State Champions and allies to speak at state and national meetings and conferences.
● Oversee ACI Alliance digital and print communications, including media relations, website curation, social media, publications, email newsletters, podcasts, and other tactics. Research Coordinate ACI Alliance’s input, guidance and support of clinical research studies pertinent to cochlear implantation, as determined. Support the presentation, publication and dissemination of research findings and recommendations important to the field. As necessary and appropriate, encourage and support information collection and reporting from CI clinicians and other professionals to track outcomes, barriers and other data that is critical to research in the field.
Strategic Leadership and Management Provide leadership in developing and implementing Board-adopted strategic plans. Execute comprehensive annual work plans towards strategic goal achievement. Grow Alliance membership and engage constituencies in the organization’s work. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with sponsors, donors, allied organizations and technology manufacturers in the hearing healthcare space. Develop and support Board of Directors governance roles, and partner with the Board and its Committees to carry
Qualities & Qualifications Successful candidates will bring an understanding and sensitivity to issues faced by people with hearing loss, and many of the following skills, experience, and attributes to the position. ● People-person with proven ability to: build and foster collaborative and strategic partnerships; cultivate diverse opinions and approaches; and exercise political savviness and diplomacy.
● Skillful mentor who can motivate and guide staff, Board members and volunteers.
● Background and knowledge in health policy, research and healthcare advocacy.
● Basic familiarity with cochlear implants and associated healthcare and therapies.
● Leadership experience in a non-profit membership organization with multiple constituencies and stakeholders.
● Knowledge and experience in human resources, budgeting, financial management and fundraising.
● Expertise in strategic communications; event and meeting management skills a plus.
● Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, time management and organizational skills.
● Confident self-starter with a willingness to embrace challenges and drive solutions.
● Patience, persistence and flexibility to accomplish projects in a collaborative setting.
● Integrity, honesty and a sense of humor.
● Bachelor’s degree and post-graduate education or equivalents preferred. Location: Within commuting distance to Washington, DC. Compensation: Annual salary of $185,000 – $210,000, plus benefits To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to acialliance@hallcollaborations.com, Attn: Steve Rech, Search Committee Chair. Application Deadline: December 12, 2025 Commitment to Equity: We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law, and to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment, or bias based upon these grounds.
Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors, American Cochlear Implant Alliance It is both an honor and a bittersweet moment for me to reflect upon Donna Sorkin’s recently announced retirement. Donna is our founding Executive Director and has functioned in the role ever since, serving 13 years as our dedicated, tireless, and passionate leader. From ACI Alliance’s inception, Donna has been the driving force behind our mission to expand access to cochlear implant services and improve the lives of all individuals with hearing loss. Donna’s goal was to build not only an advocacy organization, but also a community where people with hearing loss, their families, and their hearing healthcare providers could feel supported and heard. Under her guidance the ACI Alliance has grown from a small passionate group of voices into a nationally and globally recognized organization that has opened doors to hearing services, shaped policy, guided research efforts, advocated for the underserved and misrepresented, and given countless individuals the chance to experience or reexperience the world of sound. Donna’s accomplishments are too numerous to list, but I have known her for a long time, and I think she would tell you her proudest achievement is the culture of inclusion, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to those we serve that she has fostered. We all have our own stories of how her dedication has made a difference in our life or the lives of others, and those connections will be her lasting legacy. While we will miss her daily presence and leadership, we know her impact will continue to be felt in the strength of this community she helped create and cultivate. And as we look to the future, we are confident the foundation she built will allow us to grow, adapt, and continue championing access to cochlear implant services for decades to come. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the tens of thousands of people who have worked with her over the years, I want to personally thank Donna for her extraordinary service and wish her every happiness and ongoing successes in her next chapter. Donna, you will be missed immensely, but you will certainly never be forgotten. - Daniel M. Zeitler, MD FACS
Grateful Thanks from Donna Sorkin, Executive Director In 2012, the American Cochlear Implant Alliance was begun to advance access to cochlear implantation. After agreeing upon a mission statement, the Founding Board of Directors’ first task was to hire an Executive Director to serve under the direction of the Board to advance the mission and oversee all aspects of ACI Alliance. I joined knowing it would be an extraordinary opportunity to be part of something unique and contribute to the organization’s development in ways that would truly matter for people. We had a mission statement, a board composed of dedicated people in the field, a non-functioning website, and an initial conference planned for 2014 in Nashville. We had 11 organizations, and 70 individuals signed up as members when I began. Who would have guessed that 13 years later we would have grown to be the entity we are now with nearly 3000 members, 250 student members, and 220 State Champions? Our website is the leading non-commercial source of information on cochlear implants. We answer questions every day from a range of people who found us via the website including individuals and family members dealing with hearing loss, primary care clinicians, hospitals, reporters, government agencies, and more. Our annual conference is where clinicians, educators, scientists, students, commercial entities, nonprofits, schools, and others gather to learn and share their clinical research, relevant products and services. What I am most proud of is the extent to which our members have been empowered to become advocates for CI access at the state and national levels. We provide support and they take on challenges—just as they have done recently with Medicaid expansions in Arizona and Missouri. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with so many extraordinary people to make a difference. We have fantastic members and superlative staff. I am ready to pass the torch and am working with the Board of Directors to begin a search for a new Executive Director. I will support the transition for the next director to help them be successful and build on what we have done so far. Thank you for this tremendous honor, for your partnership, and for the opportunity to learn from you. See below to apply. Donna L. Sorkin, Executive Director, American Cochlear Implant Alliance
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