Innovative Models for Rural Health Manager

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as the Innovative Models for Rural Health Manager within the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a notable $896 million investment aimed at strengthening healthcare access, improving health outcomes, and supporting the long-term sustainability of rural communities across Massachusetts. This highly visible management role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of rural healthcare by advancing innovative care delivery models that expand access, improve efficiency, and address the evolving needs of residents across the Commonwealth. As the Initiative Lead for Innovation in Rural Care Models, you will guide transformative efforts that include expanding telehealth and technology solutions, developing Mobile Health Units, strengthening Integrated Specialty Care Networks, advancing rural maternal health initiatives, and increasing access to behavioral health and substance use treatment services.
The ideal candidate for this position is a strategic thinker and collaborative leader who thrives in complex, mission-driven environments. The selected candidate will work alongside healthcare providers, community organizations, state agencies, and public health leaders to implement innovative solutions that reduce barriers to care and improve coordination across rural health systems. Success in this position will require balancing long-term transformation goals with day-to-day operational leadership, managing grant-funded initiatives, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and vendor partners, and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements. Beyond program management, this position offers the opportunity to influence statewide policy, strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure, and help create lasting improvements that will benefit individuals, families, and communities across the Commonwealth.
Please Note: This position has statewide responsibilities and therefore primary work location is flexible within DPH work sites. The incumbent will be required to report to the Boston office on a regular cadence.

Requirements

• Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
• I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
• II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.
• IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading large-scale healthcare, public health, rural health, or health system transformation initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and funding sources.
• Strong knowledge of rural healthcare delivery systems, including challenges related to access, workforce shortages, behavioral health services, maternal health, and care coordination.
• Skilled in managing complex grant-funded programs, including budget oversight, spending plans, compliance monitoring, and performance reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative partnerships with healthcare providers, community-based organizations, government agencies, and other external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of developing and implementing innovative care delivery models, including telehealth, mobile health services, integrated care networks, or population health initiatives.
• Strong project management skills, including strategic planning, implementation oversight, risk management, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement.
• Skilled in supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment.
• Knowledge of healthcare technology, data sharing, interoperability, quality improvement methodologies, and the use of data to drive programmatic decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing executive-level reports, policy recommendations, presentations, and stakeholder communications.
• Knowledge of public health principles, health equity strategies, and community engagement practices, with a demonstrated commitment to improving outcomes for underserved and rural populations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall strategy development and phased workplan implementation for the Innovation in Rural Care Models initiative, ensuring alignment with DPH, RHTP, and federal grant objectives in close collaboration with partners/workgroup members.
• Direct and oversee the planning, development, and execution of multiple interconnected rural healthcare initiatives, including telehealth expansion, Mobile Health Units, Integrated Specialty Care Networks, rural maternal health programs, and opioid treatment access initiatives.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight for initiative activities, workgroups, staff, vendors, and partner organizations to ensure timely achievement of goals, deliverables, and performance targets.
• Chair and coordinate initiative workgroups and represent the program in governance meetings, cross-agency collaborations, stakeholder forums, and executive-level discussions to promote alignment and effective communication.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and strategic frameworks that advance innovative healthcare delivery models and improve access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities.
• Establish and maintain subject matter expertise in rural healthcare delivery, population health, technology-enabled care, and emerging best practices to inform program strategy and decision-making.
• Foster collaboration among healthcare providers, public health organizations, community-based organizations, EMS providers, educational institutions, and state agencies to strengthen coordination across the rural care continuum.
• Oversee the integration of program activities with existing state and local initiatives, ensuring alignment of resources, investments, and stakeholder efforts to maximize impact and sustainability.
• Supervise and develop assigned staff, providing leadership, performance management, coaching, workload prioritization, issue resolution, and support for successful project execution.
• Monitor initiative progress through project management processes, performance metrics, quality improvement activities, and risk management strategies, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Lead the development of spending plans, grant reporting, progress reports, memoranda, and other program documentation while ensuring compliance with CMS requirements and funding obligations.
• Manage vendor and contractor relationships, including fiscal oversight, performance monitoring, deliverable review, contract compliance, and accountability for achieving program objectives and outcomes.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package
• work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager