Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Director

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is seeking a Director for the Division of Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention. This executive leadership position shapes statewide policy and programs to prevent sexual and domestic violence and strengthen survivor services, safety, healing, and equitable access to resources. The Director leads a team of public health professionals and works with government leaders, healthcare organizations, advocacy groups, and community partners to advance systems change and culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches. The Director oversees a statewide network of survivor support and prevention programs and manages more than $80 million in state and federal funding. The role embeds equity, accessibility, and systemic fairness throughout division operations, with attention to survivor-centered services and dismantling racial disparities. It also contributes to bureau-wide planning and advises departmental leadership and public bodies on policy and emerging issues. The position requires at least six years of qualifying professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business or public administration/management or clinical administration/management, including at least two years in project management, supervision, or management, or an equivalent combination of experience and specified education substitutions. A relevant certificate may substitute for one year of the required experience; a related bachelor's degree for two years; a related graduate degree for three years; and a related doctorate for four years.

Requirements

At least six years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration, or clinical management.
At least two years of the required experience must be in a project management, supervisory, or managerial capacity.
An equivalent combination of experience and specified education substitutions may qualify: a relevant certificate may substitute for one year of required experience; a related bachelor's degree for two years; a related graduate degree for three years; and a related doctorate for four years.

Nice To Haves

Extensive knowledge of sexual and domestic violence prevention, survivor advocacy, trauma-informed care, perpetrator accountability, and evidence-based intervention strategies.
Executive leadership and strategic management experience directing complex statewide programs, setting organizational priorities, implementing policies, and advancing public health objectives.
Experience leading, supervising, and developing multidisciplinary teams and fostering inclusive, collaborative, high-performing workplaces.
Knowledge of racial and health equity, structural racism, gender-based oppression, social determinants of health, and culturally responsive and intersectional public health approaches.
Strong financial management and budget oversight experience, including state and federal funding, grants, contracts, procurement, fiscal accountability, and regulatory compliance.
Expertise in public health program development, implementation, and evaluation, including needs assessments, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, outcome measurement, and use of research findings.
Success building partnerships across government agencies, healthcare organizations, advocacy groups, community-based providers, and diverse populations.
Understanding of federal and state laws, regulations, and public policies related to violence prevention, victim services, confidentiality, healthcare systems, and public-sector administration.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including presenting complex information, influencing policy, facilitating consensus, resolving conflicts, and engaging varied audiences.
Sound judgment and ability to navigate politically sensitive environments, balance competing priorities, lead organizational change, and develop innovative, sustainable approaches.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction for statewide programs, policies, and initiatives addressing survivor safety, violence prevention, healing, and health equity.
Develop, implement, and evaluate strategic plans aligned with departmental goals and evidence-informed, culturally responsive prevention and intervention strategies.
Oversee statewide survivor services and prevention programs, including rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, community-based victim services, family support initiatives, prevention education, Intimate Partner Abuse Education Programs, and specialized programs for marginalized and underserved populations.
Build and maintain partnerships with government agencies, healthcare systems, advocacy organizations, academic institutions, and community stakeholders.
Promote survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and healing-centered approaches by engaging survivors, community leaders, and culturally specific organizations in planning, policy development, and continuous improvement.
Develop and lead community advisory structures.
Provide executive leadership, supervision, and professional development for a multidisciplinary team, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, accountable workplace.
Manage and allocate more than $80 million in state and federal funding, including budgets, grants, contracts, procurements, and financial planning.
Ensure fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, equitable resource distribution, and long-term program sustainability.
Use evaluation, performance monitoring, research, and data analysis to assess outcomes, identify service gaps and disparities, and improve programs.
Advise departmental leadership, public officials, and statewide and national advisory bodies on emerging issues, legislative priorities, public health policies, and prevention and intervention approaches.
Contribute to bureau-wide executive leadership and organizational planning, collaborating across divisions, agencies, and external partners to advance integrated public health responses, racial equity, accessibility, and social justice.