Director of Community-Based Recovery Initiatives

Boston Public Health Commission; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Public Health Commission seeks a Director of Community-Based Recovery Initiatives to lead strategic community projects across the Recovery Services Bureau. You will oversee major funding opportunities, coordinate cross-program work, and build partnerships with funders and stakeholders to sustain recovery services.

The role requires a Master’s degree and extensive experience in project management, grants, and public health.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health or related field preferred.
• Significant experience leading complex projects, strategic initiatives, grants, programs, or organizational initiatives.
• Experience with grant development, funding opportunities, contract management, or externally funded initiatives.
• Experience working in behavioral health, substance use services, public health, recovery services, or a related field preferred.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Ability to engage effectively with senior leadership, program staff, community partners, funders, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of EEO, Diversity and ADA; commitment to health equity and racial justice; bilingual and bicultural skills desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and coordination for high-priority RSB community initiatives and projects.
• Coordinate initiatives funded through Opioid Settlement Funds, COR grants, and other major funding opportunities.
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate strategic initiatives across RSB.
• Coordinate cross-program work and ensure alignment with priorities.
• Create project plans, timelines, deliverables, and accountability structures.
• Identify barriers to implementation and develop solutions with leadership and teams.
• Provide updates to senior leadership on progress, outcomes, and opportunities.
• Represent RSB in internal and external meetings and forums.

Skills

Project management

Grant development

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Bilingual

Public health

Education

Master’s degree in public health, social work, public administration, human services, or related field

Job description

Director of Community-Based Recovery Initiatives

#2779

Mission Statement

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of anti-racism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

Job Description

The Recovery Services Bureau (RSB) provides comprehensive programs and resources designed to reduce the harms associated with substance use, support recovery, and prevent substance use among youth. RSB operates across the continuum of care, offering outreach and engagement, harm reduction and drug user health services, overdose prevention and naloxone distribution, treatment navigation and referrals, residential treatment, recovery support services, community prevention, and other supports for individuals and families.

With 150 staff working across over 10 programs, RSB serves individuals at different stages of substance use and recovery throughout Boston. The Mattapan Campus is home to several residential substance use disorder treatment programs that provide structured treatment and support to individuals and families.

Harm reduction principles and practices are integrated throughout RSB’s programs and levels of care, recognizing that people may enter services with different needs, goals, and experiences. Through its programs, partnerships, and services, RSB works to reduce overdose and other substance-related harms, improve access to care, strengthen pathways to recovery, and reinforce the message that recovery is possible.

The Director of Community-Based Recovery Initiatives provides strategic leadership, oversight, and coordination for high-priority community initiatives and special projects led by the Recovery Services Bureau (RSB). This position will lead and coordinate complex, cross-program initiatives; oversee major funding opportunities and related deliverables; support the development and implementation of emerging community initiatives; and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand RSB services through external funding and partnerships.

The Director will serve as a key strategic partner to RSB leadership and will work collaboratively with program directors, internal departments, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders to ensure that community initiatives are effectively planned, implemented, monitored, and sustained.

Works to help BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.

Strategic Initiatives & Project Leadership

• Provide leadership and coordination for high-priority RSB community initiatives and projects.
• Provide oversight and coordination of initiatives funded throughOpioid Settlement Funds, COR grants, and other major funding opportunities.
• Support the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of strategic initiatives across RSB.
• Coordinate cross-program work and ensure projects remain aligned with RSB and organizational priorities.
• Develop project plans, timelines, deliverables, and accountability structures for major initiatives.
• Identify barriers to implementation and work with leadership and program teams to develop solutions.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership regarding project progress, outcomes, challenges, and emerging opportunities.

Grants & Funding Development

• Identify and pursue new grant opportunities and other external funding opportunities aligned with RSB priorities.
• Collaborate with program leadership, Finance, Grants, Development, and other internal partners on funding proposals and related initiatives.
• Support the development of grant applications, budgets, work plans, performance measures, and required reporting.
• Develop and maintain relationships with funders, community partners, and other external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Monitor funding opportunities and emerging priorities to identify opportunities for RSB program growth and sustainability.

SIM & Emerging Initiatives

• Support futureSIM projectsand other emerging strategic initiatives within RSB.
• Help translate new opportunities, funding priorities, and organizational goals into actionable projects and implementation plans.
• Serve as a resource to RSB leadership and program teams for launching and coordinating new initiatives.
• Support innovation, continuous improvement, and the development of new approaches to strengthen recovery services.
• Serve as a member of theRecovery Services Bureau Senior Leadership Team (RSBSLT).
• Participate in strategic planning, organizational decision-making, and Bureau-wide priority setting.
• Provide leadership and consultation on cross-Bureau initiatives and emerging operational or strategic needs.
• Represent RSB in internal and external meetings, committees, partnerships, and initiatives as assigned.
• Foster collaboration across RSB programs and promote alignment between special initiatives and ongoing program operations.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with community organizations, public agencies, funders, and other partners on community initiatives.
• Represent RSB in meetings and forums related to assigned initiatives and funding opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, partnership development, and expansion of RSB services.

Other

• Works in a confidential capacity.
• Participates on committees and in special projects regarding RSB personnel, as assigned.
• Operates independently and uses independent judgment and discretion to make decisions affecting the department and staff as it relates to unit operations/services, licensing requirements, ethicalpracticeand BPHC policy.
• Make and recommend management and personnel decisions for, including but not limited to promotion, transfer and assignment of staff, and imposition of discipline.
• Perform other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, social work, public administration, human services, healthcare administration, or a related field preferred.
• Significant experience leading complex projects, strategic initiatives, grants, programs, or organizational initiatives.
• Experience with grant development, funding opportunities, contract management, or externally funded initiatives.
• Experience working in behavioral health, substance use services, public health, recovery services, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Strong project management skills and the demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a complex organizational environment.
• Ability to work effectively and build relationships with senior leadership, program staff, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop proposals, reports, presentations, and executive-level updates.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and lead initiatives from concept through implementation and evaluation.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
• Commitment to health equity and racial/social justice issues.
• Prior experience working with local, state and/or federal government.
• Ability to interact sensitively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socio-economic,educationaland professional backgrounds.
• Ability to develop and manage administrative policies and procedures that maximize effectiveness and efficiency of direct service programs.
• Knowledge and experienceof EEO, Diversity and ADA.
• Able to follow directions and work harmoniously with staff.
• Bilingual and bicultural skills desirable.

Additional Information

• City of Boston residency is required; Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mid-Dorchester, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf district.
• A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for.
• Certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.
• Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification.
• Certain positions at the BPHC may be Grant Funded.
• The Boston Public Health Commission is an EEO Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements are eligible to apply.
• Certain positions at the BPHC may require Child Protective Service Background verification.
• The advertised shift and schedule are subject to change at the department's discretion.

Shift

35 hours/week, Monday – Friday 9 AM-5 PM

This position is not dependent on grants / external funding sources.

Pay Range

$103,000 – $113,000 Annually

EEO is the Law