The Iowa Pharmacy Association is the state society representing the profession of pharmacy in Iowa, united for the purpose of promoting safe and effective medication use to improve the health of patients. Established in 1880 and strengthened in 1999 through unification with the Iowa Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Iowa Pharmacy Association preserves and advances the interests of the profession and serves the professional needs of all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.
Mission: IPA empowers the pharmacy profession to improve the health of our communities. Vision: The Iowa Pharmacy Association is the respected voice for all pharmacy professionals in Iowa and the leader in transforming the practice of pharmacy.
Values: Exceptional Member Experience The Association exists for its members, who feel valued and recognized for their unique contributions. IPA staff are dedicated to understanding and serving members, fostering meaningful connections.
Relationships Matter IPA prioritizes building strong relationships with our members, partners, and staff by fostering a culture of active participation and mutual support. We welcome diversity and learn from all perspectives to create an inclusive environment. IPA unifies the profession, ensuring all voices are valued.
Professional Excellence IPA strives to represent and serve our members with the utmost excellence and dedicate ourselves to advocating for and empowering the pharmacy profession.
Collaborative Culture IPA believes in the power of membership collaboration to achieve common goals. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Future Focused IPA advances our strategic goals with creativity and inspiration, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of pharmacy profession trends and policy.
Positivity & Engagement IPA promotes a positive, fun, and engaging atmosphere and serves as a beacon of optimism for the profession.
Position Overview The Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Executive Vice President (EVP) is responsible for the oversight of all activities associated with this not-for-profit 501(c) organization. The individual is accountable to the IPA Board of Trustees to: maintain and grow individual and business related memberships, assure that the organization remains financially viable, provide highly valued educational programs, resources and member driven services, ensure state and federal advocacy to legislative and regulatory bodies align with IPA member priorities, work to constantly promote and advance all facets of the pharmacy profession throughout Iowa and nationally.
The individual persistently encourages collaboration inside and outside of the organization and works to bring differing perspectives together to find win-win solutions under IPA’s “One Profession. One Voice.” philosophy. This person is politically connected with elected officials, peer pharmacy and health care related organizations, and is effective in addressing the organization’s current legislative and regulatory priorities and policies. The individual has regular interaction with the schools of pharmacy and pharmacy technician training programs to assist with the alignment of education and skills needed for the profession in Iowa.
The Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President is expected to develop, maintain, and nurture strong working relationships with peer pharmacy organizations, other healthcare related professional organizations, and key businesses and trade organizations. IPA is nationally known and respected as a leader in advancing and transforming pharmacy practice by working with pharmacy students and residents, aggressively seeking grants, and developing young leaders. All of these are key areas of focus for this individual, as is the need to coach each individual staff member to ensure their ongoing growth and development and an overall positive work environment.
The Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President is the Secretary of the IPA Board of Trustees and is a non-voting member of the organization’s Executive Committee, which is responsible for conducting the individual’s annual performance review, setting yearly goals, and determining related compensation and benefits. The CEO/EVP also serves as the Secretary and Treasurer for the Iowa Pharmacy Association Foundation (IPAF), the 501(c)3 related company.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Management and Leadership
Visible presence at the IPA office for a majority of each work week, working collaboratively with IPA staff to provide high level services requested by members and bringing value to all IPA members
Assure effective development and achievement of the organization’s strategic plan
Assist in budget preparation and monitoring to ensure financial success of the organization, including maintaining and developing new revenue streams and fostering innovation
Supervisory responsibility for IPA staff to include hiring, retention, performance appraisals, and other human resource functions
Work closely with IPA staff members to develop goals and related implementation plans, to monitor the progress of key initiatives, provide feedback, and actively participate in strategy sessions to ensure successful outcomes
Ensure partners and contracted services (CPA, lobbyists, investment advisors, CEimpact, etc) have strong relationship with IPA and efficiently perform the duties outsourced
Work closely with the IPA Executive Committee to develop board meeting agendas and provide supporting materials and background information
Collaborate with and lead the IPA Foundation Board of Directors to maximize its success
Mentor elected leaders, including presidents and all board members in their roles and responsibilities
Public Relations and Communication
Be the face of Iowa pharmacy to IPA members, other state and national pharmacy organizations, key business leaders, key political and governmental leaders, and media and news outlets
Promote and advance all aspects of the pharmacy profession, throughout Iowa and nationally
Be an active seeker and learner of pharmacy and health care related issues as they surface, and assess the degree of attention that should be dedicated toward future actions
Develop and nurture strong external relationships with leaders of other state and national pharmacy organizations
Develop and nurture strong external relationships with key leaders within peer state health care related associates (IMS, IHA, IPCA, etc.) and state and local business/trade organizations.
Interact regularly with the schools of pharmacy and pharmacy technician training programs to assist with the alignment of education and skills needed by employers and necessary enrollments
Membership
Enable member and volunteer leader engagement in advancing the priorities of the organization
Foster inclusion amongst leaders and practitioners from all pharmacy sectors
Help to identify and develop members for future IPA leadership positions
Advocacy, Legislative andGovernmental Affairs
Be politically connected with elected officials, peer pharmacy and health care related organizations and effective in opposing or promoting legislative and regulatory policies and priorities
Assure pharmacy issues are accurately reported to the public and peer organizations
Ability to clearly articulate the role of pharmacists in healthcare, payment models impacting pharmacy, pharmacists and healthcare, and lead IPA’s grassroots advocacy communication
Provide written and verbal testimony regarding IPA’s legislative and regulatory priorities
Constantly work to have pharmacy professionals included as essential members of the health care team, providers of health care services, and to ensure fair payment for provided pharmacy services
Key Skills and Knowledge
Understanding of contemporary pharmacy issues across a variety of settings
Ability to articulate a clear vision for the future of pharmacy and IPA
Ability to maintain and cultivate IPA’s culture and values
Budget preparation, monitoring, and management to a positive year-end balance
Understanding of the legal and accounting requirements of a non-profit 501(c) business
Understanding of how to ethically conduct legislative advocacy and rule making
Ability to develop clear goals and implement a related plan(s) to arrive at a successful outcome(s)
Leading and developing IPA staff members to broaden their skills, such that they work at their highest skill level and feel valued
Ability to effectively manage a team and engage those with differing perspectives to find win-win solutions that are in the best interest of the profession
Ability to effectively educate non-pharmacy professionals on pharmacy related processes and issues
A visionary and broad thinker who can foresee the impact to the pharmacy profession of issues/trends that are just now surfacing and work to position the organization/profession to effectively address, adapt, or adopt
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent listening skills
Minimum Requirements
College degree is required; pharmacy graduate degree (PharmD or BS Pharmacy) preferred
Demonstrated experience working in a leadership position in pharmacy, association management or a professional health care-oriented organization
Management experience supervising a team of associates
Ability to travel throughout the state and nationally to meet with IPA members and others, as necessary
Iowa residency; relocation prior to start date if necessary
Compensation and Benefits This position provides a competitive compensation and benefits package. Starting salary is $170,000, commensurate with experience.
Application Process For confidential consideration, interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume or CV, and names and contact information of three professional references* to IPA’s Search Firm, NASPA Services Company, LLC via email at info@naspa.us no later than January 30, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.
*References will not be contacted without prior consent.
The Iowa Pharmacy Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity and equity in all facets of the organization’s work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.
The Iowa Pharmacy Association is the state society representing the profession of pharmacy in Iowa, united for the purpose of promoting safe and effective medication use to improve the health of patients. Established in 1880 and strengthened in 1999 through unification with the Iowa Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Iowa Pharmacy Association preserves and advances the interests of the profession and serves the professional needs of all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.
