Managing Director, Public Health Services Helplines

Health Resources in Action, Inc. (HRiA) is a non-profit organization working to improve and reimagine public health. We work with individuals, organizations, and communities to transform the policies, systems, and practices that improve health and advance equity. We aim to be adaptable and flexible in meeting clients and partners where they are, offering decades of knowledge and resources to collectively realize our dream of equitable, sustainable health for all. The foundation of this work is centered on our values:

• Health and racial equity by identifying and addressing the root causes of health inequities and working to shift narratives and power imbalances and disrupt all systems of oppression.
• Leading with heart by demonstrating our passionate commitment to our work, continuously challenging ourselves with humility and vulnerability while pursuing and holding ourselves accountable to our mission.
• Collaboration by intentionally and respectfully leading, partnering, and following to strengthen relationships, uplift different voices and build trust.
• Innovation by driving toward new strategies, questioning norms, and continuously learning and evolving to support the needs of our clients and communities.

HRiA offers exciting, engaging, and challenging employment opportunities for professionals that share our vision of healthy people thriving in equitable and just communities. People come to HRiA because of our commitment to advancing health equity and inspiring work; they stay for our clients, partners, and dedicated and dynamic staff. With a portfolio of high-impact work, person-centered policies, and generous benefits, our team strives to make HRiA a great place to work. Our diverse staff of over 275 people hail from 30+ states, with a homebase in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood.

HRiA’s core services include: (1) public health services (PHS), (2) capacity building assistance (CBA), (3) research and evaluation, (4) health and racial equity, and (5) grantmaking for biomedical research and community health initiatives. As part of the PHS cluster, HRiA manages a statewide substance use helpline in Vermont and statewide substance use and problem gambling helplines in Massachusetts and Illinois. The helplines comprise state-specific websites and online portals, as well as a single, centralized contact center that manages calls and chats from residents of all three states, as well as live SMS texting for Illinois. The helplines operate 24/7/365 and connect consumers with comprehensive, accurate, and current information about and referrals to treatment, harm reduction, prevention, and recovery services available in their states. Learn more about HRiA and our helplines below:

• HRiA: hria.org 
• IL Helpline: HelplineIL.org  
• IL Problem Gambling Helpline: AreYouReallyWinning.com 
• MA Substance Use Helpline: HelplineMA.org
• MA Problem Gambling Helpline: GamblingHelplineMA.org 
• VT Helplink: www.VTHelplink.org 

Position Description

We are seeking a seasoned, experienced professional to be Managing Director, PHS Helplines and lead HRiA’s PHS cluster, currently comprising a team of over 50 staff and a $10M+ project portfolio comprising a statewide substance use helpline in Vermont, and substance use helplines and problem gambling helplines in Massachusetts and Illinois. As part of the senior leadership of the PHS cluster, the Managing Director will supervise and work closely with two Senior Directors, Helplines one of whom leads the MA and IL helpline teams, and the other leads the VT helpline team and the centralized Contact Center team that provides information and referral services to residents of all three states. In addition, the Managing Director will work closely with a part-time Managing Director, Behavioral Health who supports new business development and manages and coordinates the work of “functional teams” that provide data, technology, web, outreach, marketing, and communications services across the portfolios. Each of these teams is led by a Director or Associate Director from relevant departments at HRiA.

The Managing Director will establish and operationalize the overall vision and direction for the cluster, in collaboration with the Senior Directors, Managing Director, and the Vice President. They will set and pursue goals and objectives to build and sustain the cluster portfolio; build and manage the cluster budget; supervise and mentor senior leaders on the team; promote and support a cohesive and effective team structure and dynamic aligned with HRiA’s values to achieve cluster and organizational goals in pursuit of HRiA’s mission; and hire and supervise key staff to support day-to-day operations.

The Managing Director works with and supports Sr. Directors and other key staff to monitor and implement project workplans, meet project milestones, and deliver products and services on time and within budget. The Managing Director also works closely with clients and funders to ensure services meet or exceed contractual obligations, partner expectations, and professional standards.

At the organizational level, the Managing Director will be part of HRiA’s Senior Leadership Team and will collaborate with other senior leaders to ensure HRiA’s continued sustainability and impact. The Managing Director will also contribute to programmatic and organizational sustainability and growth by establishing a strategic vision; identifying, pursuing, and securing new business opportunities; and sharing lessons learned and insights to promote HRiA as a thought leader.

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), exempt position, and reports to the Vice President that oversees the PHS and CBA clusters at HRiA. The Managing Director can work remotely, or in the Boston office.

Benefits

HRiA offers strong benefits to its employees, including:

• • • • • Competitive salaries
        • Health insurance
        • Retirement plan
        • Flexible summer hours
        • Vacation starting at 4 weeks
        • 13 paid holidays, and office closure at the end of December

Duties & Responsibilities

Management & Supervision

• 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.
• Establish a vision for the cluster and 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.
• Work with senior staff to 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.
• Work with staff and teams to recruit, supervise, and manage a diverse team of public health professionals.
• 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.
• Work with HRiA’s Administration & Finance staff, Vice President, and cluster senior leadership to 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

New Business Development

• 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.
• Work with the Vice President, marketing and development staff, and other senior leadership to 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.
• Participate in the Marketing & Business Development Roundtable.

Thought Leadership

• 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.
• 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

Programmatic

• 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.

Candidate Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership or management of helplines or similar programs (e.g., hotlines, quitlines, safelines, or other similar crisis or social service contact centers).
• Master’s degree in public health or similar field; in lieu of advanced degree, a bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience securing and managing significant federal or state contracts.
• Demonstrated experience and success in managing and supervising staff and consultants.
• Experience in public health and/or behavioral health, including substance use disorder or problem gambling prevention and treatment, is preferred but not required.
• Excellent client management skills, with ability to work simultaneously with multiple funders, partners, vendors, and other collaborators.
• Strong team management skills, including demonstrated ability to build, lead, motivate, manage, and sustain an effective team of diverse, senior professionals.
• 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 budgets
• Highly organized, motivated, and able to work well independently and with a team
• Strong attention to detail and highly developed organizational skills.
• Experience working in a multicultural environment and an understanding of and a commitment to health and racial equity, including addressing racism and white supremacy in our internal and external work.
• 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.

Procedure for Candidacy

HRiA is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced staff. The organization encourages multiple perspectives and experiences, supports a multicultural environment, and strives to hire and retain a diverse work force that reflects the populations we work with and the communities where we work. Diversity is a core value of HRiA resulting in culturally competent services, materials, resources, and programs. Our hiring and business practices appreciate the strengths offered through different backgrounds.

HRiA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume online at hria.org/about/careers