Program Director, Office of Behavioral Health Promotion & Prevention

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and experienced leader to serve as the Program Director for the Office of Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention (OBHPP). The Program Director provides operational leadership for statewide initiatives designed to advance behavioral health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and wellness across the Commonwealth.

Working under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner for Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention, the Program Director will lead the day-to-day implementation and evaluation of OBHPP programs and initiatives, address complex operational challenges, and ensure alignment with departmental objectives and statewide strategic priorities. The position oversees grant-funded programs, contracts, vendors, strategic partnerships, public awareness initiatives, data and performance activities, and efforts to strengthen statewide capacity through training, technical assistance, and resource development.

The ideal candidate will bring significant operational leadership and program management expertise within behavioral health, public health, or a related environment, along with strong knowledge of health equity and evidence-informed prevention strategies. This role requires sound judgment, strong analytical and organizational capabilities, and the ability to lead complex initiatives involving state agencies, community organizations, healthcare professionals, and other partners while achieving measurable program and population health outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities (These duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

Provide operational leadership and oversight for statewide behavioral health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and wellness initiatives.

Direct the development, administration, monitoring, and evaluation of grant-funded programs, ensuring alignment with statewide priorities, funding requirements, and measurable outcomes.

Establish program priorities, operational standards, policies, and best practices that promote effective, equitable, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed services.

Advance the development and execution of the annual behavioral health promotion plan and ensure alignment with departmental and statewide strategic priorities.

Enhance cross-agency and cross-sector initiatives involving EOHHS, state agencies, commissions, community organizations, healthcare partners, and other stakeholders.

Manage the identification, adoption, and dissemination of evidence-based and emerging practices in behavioral health promotion, prevention, and substance use support.

Oversee statewide behavioral health education, prevention, and public awareness initiatives designed to strengthen engagement, reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking behaviors, and improve behavioral health outcomes.

Integrate health equity principles into program design, policies, funding decisions, performance measures, and service delivery strategies.

Manage contracts and vendor relationships, assess performance, and ensure accountability for program quality, fiscal stewardship, and established deliverables.

Exercise oversight of program budgets, fiscal activities, grant compliance, progress reporting, and outcome evaluation.

Develop and monitor performance metrics and accountability measures to evaluate program effectiveness and guide strategic and operational improvements.

Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, stakeholder feedback, and program outcomes to identify trends, assess impact to inform decision-making.

Direct data collection, analysis, and reporting activities related to population-based behavioral health indicators and statewide initiatives.

Oversee training, technical assistance, and resource development activities that strengthen community and statewide behavioral health promotion and prevention capacity.

Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external partners and foster collaboration across agencies, disciplines, and sectors.

Resolve complex programmatic and administrative issues and establish corrective actions when necessary to maintain progress toward organizational goals.

Provide leadership and supervision to assigned staff, including supporting professional development and fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.

Lead critical initiatives and respond to emerging priorities on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner.

Preferred Qualifications

Background in program management within behavioral health, public health, human services, or a related field with minimum of 5 years’ experience.

Strong understanding of behavioral health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and evidence-based or evidence-informed practices.

Demonstrated knowledge of health equity principles and their application to behavioral health programs, policies, and service delivery.

Familiarity with grant administration, fiscal oversight, compliance monitoring, performance reporting, and outcome evaluation.

Proven success leading complex statewide, interagency, or cross-sector initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.

Expertise project management, organizational planning, and managing competing priorities in a complex environment.

Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, including the ability to evaluate program effectiveness and translate findings into strategic and operational improvements.

• The ability to translate strategic priorities into effective programs, standards, and operational practices.
• Demonstrated effectiveness managing contracts, vendors, partnerships, or grant-funded initiatives.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, relationship management, facilitation, influence, and consensus building.
• Ability to develop staff, foster professional growth, and cultivate diverse talent.
• Commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplace.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Bilingual or multilingual fluency is preferred given the diverse populations served by DMH.

Pre-Offer Process

A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

mass.gov

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) 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 of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100%25 of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.