Managing Director, Public Health Services Helplines

Health Resources in Action Inc • Boston, MA

8d • $135,000 - $150,000 • Remote

About The Position

Health Resources in Action, Inc. (HRiA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving and reimagining public health by addressing complex challenges of access and equity. HRiA collaborates with partners, clients, and communities to create actionable solutions for equitable and sustainable health for all. The organization utilizes an anti-racist approach and is guided by values of health and racial equity, leading with heart, collaboration, and innovation. HRiA offers diverse employment opportunities and invests in its staff, boasting a team of over 270 individuals. The organization's core services include public health services (PHS), capacity building assistance (CBA), research and evaluation, health and racial equity initiatives, and grantmaking. Within the PHS cluster, HRiA manages statewide substance use helplines in Vermont and Massachusetts, and substance use and problem gambling helplines in Massachusetts and Illinois. These helplines operate 24/7/365, providing information and referrals to treatment, harm reduction, prevention, and recovery services through websites, online portals, a centralized contact center, and SMS texting.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership or management of public health programs of similar scope and size, including demonstrated experience and success managing a team of at least 30 people and a program portfolio of $8 to $10M in revenue.
• Demonstrated expertise, experience, and knowledge of the substance use, problem gambling, and/or behavioral health treatment “ecosystem” and a solid understanding of the role and functions of helplines or similar interventions within it.
• Master’s degree in public health or similar field; in lieu of advanced degree, a bachelor’s degree with an additional eight years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience securing and managing significant federal or state contracts.
• Demonstrated experience and success in managing and supervising large, diverse teams of staff and consultants.
• Excellent client and partner engagement skills, with the ability to work simultaneously with multiple funders, partners, vendors, and other collaborators to create smart, impactful, innovative, and cost-effective solutions in an ever-evolving funding and sociopolitical landscape.
• Exceptional team management skills, including demonstrated ability to build, lead, motivate, manage, and sustain an effective team of diverse, senior professionals, including those with lived experience of substance use and/or gambling disorders.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to health and racial equity, and addressing racism and white supremacy in our internal and external work, including a sophisticated understanding of HRiA’s equity framework (or similar) and relevant concepts and approaches, with a clear vision for how those can and should guide the helpline team and services.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to HRiA’s values and demonstrated experience of leading teams and implementing public health programs in alignment with those values.
• Strong project management skills, including demonstrated ability to develop and implement a strategic vision, set goals and priorities, and develop and implement plans and strategies.
• Ability to build and manage complex, intersecting, and mutually dependent project and portfolio budgets of $8 to $10M or more.
• Highly organized, motivated, and able to work well independently and with a team.
• Strong attention to detail and highly developed organizational skills.
• A commitment to valuing diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, busy environment.
• Flexibility, humility, and a sense of humor.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with or in helplines or similar contact centers is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and operationalize the overall vision and direction for the PHS cluster, in collaboration with senior and executive leadership.
• Set and advance strategic goals to grow and sustain the cluster’s portfolio.
• Develop and manage the cluster budget.
• Supervise, mentor, and support senior leaders on the team.
• Foster a cohesive, high performing team culture, aligned with HRiA’s values.
• Hire and oversee staff to ensure effective day-to-day operations.
• Ensure successful project execution by monitoring and implementing project workplans, meeting project milestones, addressing challenges, and delivering high quality products and services on time and within budget.
• Engage with clients and funders to advance our shared goals and to ensure services meet or exceed contractual obligations, partner expectations, and professional standards.
• Contribute to the organization’s overall strategy, sustainability, and growth as a member of HRiA’s Senior Leadership Team.
• Shape and advance strategic vision and impact.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities.
• Contribute expertise and thought leadership to strengthen HRiA’s reputation and influence.
• Lead a portfolio of statewide helplines and associated team of staff, and provide leadership and direction on staffing, hiring, budgets, planning, implementation, evaluation, and related activities.
• Develop and implement goals and priorities that align with and support HRiA’s mission and vision, including health and racial equity.
• Supervise at least two senior staff and administrative coordinator(s) and provide guidance to ensure effective implementation of projects and meet portfolio goals.
• Promote and support a cohesive and effective team structure and dynamic that aligns with HRiA’s values, promotes staff satisfaction and work/life balance (while maintaining 24/7/365 operations), and facilitates pursuit of cluster and organizational goals to advance HRiA’s mission.
• Recruit, supervise, and manage a diverse team of public health professionals, including those with lived experience of substance use and/or gambling disorders.
• Develop, engage, and maintain strong relationships with key collaborators and leaders, including clients, government agencies, community leaders, and residents.
• Direct, lead, or manage projects, as needed and/or appropriate.
• Provide insight and guidance to help team address challenges and barriers.
• Oversee and ensure continuous quality improvement activities.
• Conduct annual staff performance reviews and develop and support staff in setting and attaining professional development goals.
• Assist with project planning, decision making, implementation, and evaluation.
• Develop and monitor the overall cluster budget and make decisions and take action to ensure alignment between contractual requirements, program activities, and budget parameters.
• Support and enable senior leadership to create and manage individual program budgets and workplans in alignment with overall cluster budget.
• Participate as a member of HRiA’s Senior Leadership Team and take part in or lead other organization-wide activities as needed.
• Establish and pursue a vision for a portfolio of helpline and behavioral health-related projects and implement creative and effective strategies for sustainability and growth.
• Identify, assess, and pursue business development opportunities.
• Lead and/or contribute to proposals and scopes of work for new business.
• Build capacity of team to take on new business development activities.
• Serve as a trusted, informed subject matter expert for HRiA, our partners, and communities in helpline and information and referral services, including but not limited to behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery.
• Provide guidance and experience-informed insight to promote and support effective processes, decision-making, and innovation within our team and with clients and partners.
• Build and maintain knowledge of significant trends and developments in behavioral health, substance use, problem gambling, including implications for behavior health helpline services, policy, and/or health and racial equity.
• Provide content to market and promote work online or through other media.
• Develop and deliver webinars, presentations, and practice briefs.
• Participate in organizational events, trainings, or other opportunities.
• Suggest ideas/improvements through participation in teams and committees.
• Contribute technical and/or subject matter expertise to projects and teams in the cluster and across the organization.
• Lead projects or implement project activities or tasks, as needed or appropriate.
• Work with and support senior leadership, managers, and other staff to achieve project goals, monitor contract compliance and implementation, and ensure timely completion of deliverables within budget and to client’s satisfaction.
• Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with clients and other partners/collaborators.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Short-term, long-term, and life insurance
• Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Vacation starting at 4 weeks, plus office closure during the last week of December
• Flexible summer hours
• 13 paid holidays

What This Job Offers

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