Medical Cannabis Director

Public Health, Department of; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

13 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Retirement plan (ERS / GSEPS)

Paid parental leave

Job summary

The Georgia Department of Public Health seeks a Medical Cannabis Director to lead the Medical Cannabis Registry program, creating a clear vision and directing operational strategies to improve efficiency and sustainability. You will advise executive leadership and collaborate across epidemiology, legislators, and stakeholders.

The role requires strategic oversight, strong communication, and a commitment to protecting public health while managing a diverse team and complex regulatory processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus six years in a managerial or supervisory role, or ten years related professional experience including six in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Experience providing strategic leadership for a complex, public‑facing program.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and writing skills.
• Government/public health experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establishes a strategic vision for the Medical Cannabis Program and its future development.
• Oversees quality and timely customer service to physicians and patients using the registry system.
• Develops program goals, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with agency objectives.
• Oversees performance measures for Medical Cannabis staff and interprets personnel policies.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public speaking

Public health experience

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia! We are the force that drives Georgia! Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens! Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!

Job Title: Medical Cannabis Director Agency: Department of Public Health Job Requisition ID: JR0000003700 Shift: Rotating (United States of America) Compensation Details: $100,000 - $115,000

Job Description

Who We Are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in communities throughout the state. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters.

What We Offer

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play.
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and the people of Georgia.
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team – Collaborate with employees who share ideas and leverage collective strengths.
• Achieve Career Longevity – Take advantage of opportunities for learning and development that support a long-term career.
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Work in a unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role.
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like yourself.

The Medical Cannabis Director will be responsible for providing strategic, operational, and programmatic leadership for the Medical Cannabis Registry that provides qualified Georgia patients and their caregivers with a Medical Cannabis identification card. This role directs the operational and programmatic activities of the Medical Cannabis Program. This position establishes a clear vision for the program’s future, anticipates emerging needs, and develops strategies to strengthen operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. The Director closely monitors program and workforce performance data, identifies trends and risks, and leads timely corrective actions and continuous-improvement initiatives. The Director also serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and communicates proactively and regularly regarding program performance, accomplishments, challenges, risks, resource needs, and strategic recommendations. Collaborates with Epidemiology and recommends and implements policies and procedures. Directs and supervises subordinate customer service and call center staff.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Establishes and communicates a strategic vision for the Medical Cannabis Program and its future development.
• Ensure quality and timely customer service to physicians and to patients who are interacting with the Georgia Medical Cannabis Registry System.
• Develops short- and long-term program goals, priorities, implementation plans, and performance expectations that align with agency objectives.
• Oversees performance measures for all Medical Cannabis staff.
• Interprets and enforces personnel policies and procedures.
• Oversees hiring and /or termination decisions in consultation with Human Resources.
• Provides clear, timely, and concise written and verbal reports, presentations, briefings, and recommendations.
• Supervises staff that answer telephone inquiries from individual patients & physicians.
• Supervises staff in the printing & distribution of Medical Cannabis Program Cards.
• Serves as the subject matter expert on the patient registry with the ability to engage professionally with legislators, sister agencies, and stakeholders.
• Manages the Georgia Medical Cannabis patient registry in partnership with epidemiology.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of Medical Cannabis patient and caregiver information.
• Performs other assignments as required.

Additional Information

The DPH Commissioner and agency leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well‑being. The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and help employees meet their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes of physical activity may be allocated per workday, typically in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Employment Information

State of Georgia employees are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board regarding salary. DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials. The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre‑employment drug screening and a criminal background check. Relocation assistance is not provided. In the event of an identified emergency, you may be required, as a term and condition of DPH employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

ADA Statement

DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, email include [e-mail].

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered,but may not receive an interview. DPH will contact selected applicants to proceed with the application process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification. This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

BENEFITS

Standard Benefits for Full‑Time Salaried Employees

• a flexible schedule
• training opportunities
• health insurance
• employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS)
• deferred compensation
• 13 paid holidays
• vacation and sick leave
• paid parental leave
• dental
• vision
• long-term care
• life insurance

Standard Benefits for Part‑Time Employees

• part‑time employees are eligible to participate in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan
• receive paid parental leave

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership for a complex program or public‑facing operation.
• Excellent communication skills to include public speaking, writing and presentation skills.
• Experience organizing and managing program level operations.
• Governmental (Local, State, Federal, or Tribal) public health experience.
• Progressive administrative and management experience.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in operations management, business administration, or a related field which includes six (6) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or ten (10) years of related professional experience which includes six (6) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or six (6) years of experience required at the lower level Sr Mgr 2, Business Ops (GSM013) or position equivalent. --Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services. Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.

Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's 10 million citizens. With nearly 62,000 employees, we are one of the single largest employer in the state. Public service opportunities stretch across the state as employees live and work in all 159 counties. From traditional fields such as accounting, nursing, and engineering to unique fields like forestry and natural resources management, Georgia state government provides a world of opportunity.