Direct Relief is a medical aid nonprofit, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.
Since its founding in 1948 by refugees of WWII, Direct Relief has grown to become one of the country's most effective humanitarian assistance organizations. Its work earns broad recognition from independent charity rating agencies, including a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes, a top ranking by Charity Navigator, and a spot in Fast Company’s list of “the world’s most innovative nonprofits.” Direct Relief’s impact throughout the world is the result of its dedicated and compassionate people, each of whom plays a critical role in advancing the organization's mission.
Summary:
With extensive experience in pharmaceutical distribution, a network of over 1,600 clinics and health centers, and robust compliance and audit systems, Direct Relief serves as a key access point for healthcare providers seeking donated medications from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Under the general direction of the Regional Director of U.S. Programs, the Program Manager for ReplenishRx leads the development and expansion of Direct Relief’s ReplenishRx program. This position is responsible for driving program strategy, strengthening operational systems, and ensuring clinics, health centers, and charitable pharmacies have sustainable access to donated medications and medical supplies, while maintaining rigorous compliance, accountability, and audit standards.
This role requires a self-starter who can independently identify opportunities, solve problems, and implement improvements in an evolving and resource-constrained environment. Strong communication skills are essential to effectively engage internal and external stakeholders, including healthcare partners, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and Direct Relief leadership.
The ReplenishRx Program is an innovative approach to delivering in a manner similar to Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) in the United States. It centralizes access to PAP medications through a single-entry model and shifts from a per-patient, per-drug structure to a bulk distribution model that enables clinics and pharmacies to serve eligible low-income, uninsured patients more efficiently.
Essential Duties and Functions:
Partnership Management & External Engagement
Serve as a primary point of contact for pharmaceutical manufacturers, fostering strong, long-term partnerships
Collaborate with Corporate Engagement to support donor outreach and program growth
Build and maintain strong relationships with clinics, health centers, and charitable pharmacies
Conduct site visits and support implementation of donation agreements and compliance requirements
Program Development & Continuous Improvement
Lead ongoing development, refinement, and scaling of ReplenishRx, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, access, and impact
Proactively assess program performance, partner feedback, and operational challenges to implement data-informed improvements
Monitor industry trends, PAP evolution, and policy changes to inform program strategy and innovation
Partner with IT to enhance system functionality, reporting capabilities, and data visibility
Program Management & Strategy
Manage program budgets, proposals, and spending
Establish and track performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness
Support day-to-day operations in coordination with program staff, ensuring alignment between strategy and execution
Program Operations & Compliance
Oversee and continuously improve enrollment processes, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and compliance
Implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and program guidelines
Strengthening policies and controls to prevent drug diversion, misuse, and non-compliance
Collaborate closely with Partner Success, Pharmacy, and Legal & Regulatory Affairs to ensure audit readiness and adherence across all partners
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Develop clear, consistent communications for internal and external audiences, including partners, leadership, and boards
Translate complex program requirements into accessible guidance for partners
Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, and program updates
Represent Direct Relief at conferences, convenings, and external forums
Qualifications
Demonstrated expertise in Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) and pharmaceutical access programs
Proven ability to lead program development and drive continuous improvement initiatives
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences
Experience working with healthcare providers, nonprofits, or pharmaceutical stakeholders preferred
Ability to operate as a self-starter, exercising sound judgment and initiative in a fast-paced environment
Experience with compliance, audit processes, or regulated environments strongly preferred
Direct Relief works to equip health professionals in resource-poor communities to meet the challenges of diagnosing and caring for people in need.
Nongovernmental, nonsectarian, and not-for-profit, Direct Relief relies entirely on private contributions to advance its mission and perform a wide range of functions.
Included among them are identifying key local providers of health services; working to identify the unmet needs of people in the low-resource areas; mobilizing essential medicines, supplies, and equipment that...