Join us as we work to create a thriving ecosystem that delivers accessible, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare for all.
Director, Strategic Programs & Content Systems
(AI-Enabled Publishing & Platform Transformation)
About the Role
We’re building the next-generation clinical intelligence platform for prescribers — one that combines rigorous drug data, real-time evidence updates, and AI-powered synthesis into a seamless, trustworthy experience.
We are seeking a senior leader to transform how our clinical content is created, structured, governed, and delivered. This role sits at the intersection of editorial strategy, AI workflow design, program management, and platform operations.
You will modernize our existing news and drug information systems, implement scalable AI-enabled workflows, and lay the operational foundation for a full-fledged digital newsroom. This is a builder role for someone energized by systems transformation, not incremental editing.
This position may begin as a contractor engagement with a pathway to full-time leadership.
What You’ll Lead
1. Transform the Clinical Newsfeed into a Modern Publishing Engine
We currently publish 10+ news items per weekday, largely AI-assisted summaries of new studies. The next phase requires moving from output volume to editorial intelligence and audience growth.
You will:
Redesign workflows to elevate quality, consistency, and journalistic rigor
Introduce stronger headline strategy, embargo planning, and differentiated formats (polls, quizzes, expert columns)
Establish audience-first prioritization and performance metrics
Optimize newsletter, push, and social distribution
Implement early SEO and discoverability foundations
Define how human editors and AI collaborate at scale
Long-term, you will help architect a structured, searchable content library that feeds AI models — enabling dynamic topic hubs (e.g., “statin side effects”) that surface:
Individual study summaries
Linked primary sources
AI-assisted state-of-the-evidence overviews
Human editorial synthesis
2. Rebuild Drug Information Operations for the AI Era
Our Drug Info and Drug Interactions team currently operates like expert librarians — ensuring precision and completeness across thousands of micro-updates.
We’re ready to evolve this into a publication-oriented, metrics-driven model.
You will:
Redesign workflows from maintenance-based to impact-based
Introduce per-page productivity metrics and output tracking
Shift prioritization toward user and business value
Establish clearer monograph dating and transparency standards
Develop structured content architecture aligned with AI ingestion
Modernize documentation, governance, and change management processes
This is operational transformation at scale.
3. Stand Up a Digital Newsroom for Prescribers
We are building a trusted, data-aligned newsroom that integrates seamlessly with our clinical databases.
The newsroom will include:
Drug news and regulatory updates
Guideline changes
Evidence-based lifestyle insights
Expert columns
Data visualizations
Interactive formats (polls, quizzes)
You will:
Help define newsroom org structure and operating model
Collaborate with Product to implement a headless CMS (likely Sanity)
Ensure content is structured as data, not static pages
Align editorial output with database integrity and trust standards
Develop hiring roadmap (targeting Q4 scale-up)
Establish metrics for engagement, growth, and subscriber acquisition
What Makes This Role Unique
This is not a traditional editorial leadership role.
It is:
Systems design
AI workflow implementation
Content-as-data architecture
Operational rigor at scale
Audience growth experimentation
Change management across teams
You’ll operate similarly to an early-stage GoodRx Health environment — building structure, testing what works, and scaling what resonates.
What You Bring
10+ years in digital health, publishing, or clinical content operations
Director-level experience building systems, not just managing output
Strong program management foundation (PMP a plus)
Experience implementing AI into content workflows
Familiarity with headless CMS and content-as-data models
Ability to move between strategic vision and tactical execution
Experience scaling teams in startup or high-growth environments
Comfort operating in ambiguity while setting structure
Bonus:
Healthcare, life sciences, or public health background
Experience working with prescriber audiences
Exposure to SEO and newsletter growth strategy
Timeline & Structure
Immediate focus: Newsfeed optimization and Drug Info operational redesign (urgent, beginning by April)
Near-term: CMS implementation partnership with Product
Q4: Newsroom hiring and scale-up
Open to contractor-to-FTE pathway.
Why This Matters
Prescribers are overwhelmed with information but under-supported in synthesis. We believe the future lies in:
Structured clinical intelligence
AI + human editorial partnership
Transparent evidence tracking
Real-time, decision-shaping content
This role will help define that future.
Expected Compensation
$212,000 - $360,000The base salary range shown reflects the full range for this role from minimum to maximum. At athenahealth, base pay depends on multiple factors, including job-related experience, relevant knowledge and skills, how your qualifications compare to others in similar roles, and geographical market rates. Base pay is only one part of our competitive Total Rewards package - depending on role eligibility, we offer both short and long-term incentives by way of an annual discretionary bonus plan, variable compensation plan, and equity plans.
About athenahealth
Our vision: In an industry that becomes more complex by the day, we stand for simplicity. We offer IT solutions and expert services that eliminate the daily hurdles preventing healthcare providers from focusing entirely on their patients — powered by our vision to create a thriving ecosystem that delivers accessible, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare for all.
Our company culture: Our talented employees — or athenistas, as we call ourselves — spark the innovation and passion needed to accomplish our vision. We are a diverse group of dreamers and do-ers with unique knowledge, expertise, backgrounds, and perspectives. We unite as mission-driven problem-solvers with a deep desire to achieve our vision and make our time here count. Our award-winning culture is built around shared values of inclusiveness, accountability, and support.
Our DEI commitment: Our vision of accessible, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare for all requires addressing the inequities that stand in the way. That's one reason we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our business, from attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce to maintaining an inclusive environment for athenistas, our partners, customers and the communities where we work and serve.
What we can do for you:
Along with health and financial benefits, athenistas enjoy perks specific to each location, including commuter support, employee assistance programs, tuition assistance, employee resource groups, and collaborative workspaces — some offices even welcome dogs.
We also encourage a better work-life balance for athenistas with our flexibility. While we know in-office collaboration is critical to our vision, we recognize that not all work needs to be done within an office environment, full-time. With consistent communication and digital collaboration tools, athenahealth enables employees to find a balance that feels fulfilling and productive for each individual situation.
In addition to our traditional benefits and perks, we sponsor events throughout the year, including book clubs, external speakers, and hackathons. We provide athenistas with a company culture based on learning, the support of an engaged team, and an inclusive environment where all employees are valued.
Learn more about our culture and benefits here: athenahealth.com/careers