The Health Initiative Senior Director, State Programs

Positively Partners•Attleboro, MA

48d•$180,000 - $205,000•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Director, State Programs, is a key member of the THI Leadership Team and responsible for efforts to unlock dollars within state healthcare funding mechanisms to invest in the drivers of health. This role will be creative in re-imagining how healthcare mechanisms can be leveraged towards that goal and persuasive in communicating this approach to others. The Senior Director will lead a cross-functional team (aka a ‘swim lane') to achieve THL's goal in various states and has three primary responsibilities: Develop creative and practical strategies for investing in health within state-level financing mechanisms Lead internal and external work with stakeholders, adapting strategies as necessary Mentor team members and ensure activities are flawlessly executed A successful candidate will thrive in the fast-paced context of issue-based campaigns and/or start-up environments. They must demonstrate excellence in relational instincts, attention to detail, and communication skills. The position reports to the Chief Operating Officer on an interim basis, and works closely with the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Rebecca Onie and Rocco Perla. As part of a small organization, the Senior Director, State Programs may or may not have direct reports at any given time but will always be responsible for leading a cross-functional team to ensure deliverables are executed well. This includes program staff such as Research Associates and a to-be-hired Director of Research & Analytics to support technical content development, Project Managers to achieve timelines, and operations staff on systems. The role is responsible for the performance and retention of team members, regardless of reporting relationships. They will also partner with other swim lane leaders (e.g. Fed) and specialists (e.g. Communications, Development /Partnerships) to achieve cross-cutting organizational goals as a member of the THI Leadership Team. In the latter capacity, this role will contribute actively to both culture and organizational evolution as needed.

Requirements

Deep understanding of Medicaid and state healthcare financing, including Medicaid managed care (RFPs, contracts).
Experience supporting senior executives/leaders (e.g., preparing oral and written briefings).
Knowledge of state leadership priorities and challenges.
Knowledge of how drivers of health impact health outcomes, costs, and utilization.
Understanding of the role of local enterprises/CBOs in delivering drivers of health resources.
Experience leading change management efforts in public health agencies.
At least 5 years' experience leading a division or team, ideally with cross-functional team members.
Ability to manage up, down, and across peers.
Skill in activating stakeholders and facilitating complex, multi-party discussions.
Strategic goal-setting and execution in dynamic environments.
Commitment to THI's mission, vision, and values.
Continuous improvement mindset; eagerness for learning and feedback.
Confident in leading with a point of view and recommendations while being open to changing position when necessary.
Takes full accountability for swim lane goals, deliverables, and team performance.
Ability to navigate ambiguity and work both independently and collaboratively.
Drives forward progress amidst change.
Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to THI's approach to building transformative relationships based on humility, reliability, openness, humor, and confidence.
Good judgment: knows when to act independently and when to seek input.
Clear, concise, and compelling communication.
Strong program management and prioritization skills including ability to manage multiple projects with short, medium, and long-term deadlines.
Ability to manage up, down, and with peers.
Efficiently leverages cross-functional team members and technology.

Responsibilities

Lead the effort to unlock dollars at the state level to invest in the drivers of health (aka lead the state ‘swim lane').
Define quarterly, annual, and multi-year swim lane goals with corresponding deliverables.
Create and execute plans to meet those goals, identify key stakeholders and define analysis and artifacts that will compel action.
Oversee the creation and finalization of all swim lane deliverables, e.g. briefings, articles, public comments, presentations, reports for a diverse set of stakeholders including policymakers, health plan executives, researchers, and funders. Ensure quality of content and process.
Direct, mentor, and coach the cross-functional team members supporting the swim lane.
Manage a subset of external relationships and support other THI executives in managing additional stakeholders.
Monitor the healthcare landscape/ecosystem for developments relevant to THI goals, efficiently communicate internally or externally as appropriate, and integrate into prioritization.
Collaborate with other THI swim lane leaders to achieve organizational goals, including partnership/development initiatives.
Actively participate in the THI Leadership Team to strengthen organization-wide operations and culture.