Program Lead, Maternal Health Access Project – Center for Child Well Being

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

University benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

University of Missouri-Columbia is seeking a Program Lead to guide the Maternal Health Access Project within the Center for Child Well-Being. You will oversee leadership, strategy, and day-to-day operations, ensuring alignment with funding, goals, and organizational priorities.

You will supervise a team, coordinate with principal investigators, and drive expansion into rural Missouri while maintaining quality, reporting, and stakeholder engagement across partners and systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of progressive program leadership experience.
• Experience leading complex programs with multiple stakeholders and sites.
• Preferred background in healthcare, maternal health, or public health programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead program leadership and strategy for MHAP components.
• Oversee day-to-day program operations, timelines, and staff performance.
• Coordinate with PIs and Arm Leads to align goals and deliverables.
• Expand Rural Missouri expansion while ensuring program quality and fidelity.
• Engage external stakeholders and partners to support collaboration and integration.

Skills

Program leadership

Team supervision

Data-driven evaluation

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

None

Job description

Job Description

The Center for Child Well-Being, housed within the Department of Psychiatry in the University of Missouri School of Medicine, seeks a Program Lead to support the Maternal Health Access Project (MHAP).

Hiring Department

Department of Psychiatry

Job Description

The Center for Child Well-Being, housed within the Department of Psychiatry in the University of Missouri School of Medicine, seeks a Program Lead to support the Maternal Health Access Project (MHAP).

The ideal candidate is an experienced program leader with progressive responsibility for developing and implementing large-scale, statewide programs, preferably within complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives. They will bring strong leadership skills, including team building, delegation, professional development, accountability, and the ability to translate strategic priorities into effective program operations.

Excellent communication, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex challenges are essential. This position exercises independent judgment in guiding program implementation and day-to-day operations while ensuring alignment with funding requirements, project goals, and organizational priorities.

About The Center

The Center for Child Well-Being drives positive change for children and families through innovative programs, collaborative community partnerships, and strategic capacity building. Guided by our mission to improve outcomes for young children and their families, we envision a future where all children have a strong foundation for lifelong health.

Working at the Center means being part of a passionate, collaborative team committed to impact. Staff are supported in their professional growth, empowered to contribute meaningfully, and engaged in work that is purpose-driven and community-centered. Join us in shaping a more responsive and resilient childhood systems landscape across Missouri!

Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

Program Leadership and Strategy

• Serve as Program Lead for the Psychiatric Arm of the Maternal Health Access Project and provide interim leadership for the Cardiometabolic Arm.
• Collaborate closely with the Cardiometabolic Arm Lead, once appointed, to ensure coordination across project arms, alignment of program goals and activities, and effective implementation of the Maternal Health Access Project.
• Work closely with the Principal Investigators (PIs) to translate project goals, funding requirements, and organizational priorities into effective program strategy and implementation.
• Exercise delegated authority for day-to-day program operations and maintain oversight of program activities, deliverables, timelines, and staff.
• Lead strategic planning and implementation to expand program reach, impact, and sustainability. Translate organizational and funding priorities into actionable program goals, strategies, and operational plans, and monitor progress toward established outcomes.
• Monitor program performance using data-informed approaches and adjust strategies as needed to improve program effectiveness and achieve project goals.

Program Operations and Implementation

• Maintain responsibility for day-to-day program management, including oversight of workflows, service delivery, quality assurance, and operational processes.
• Establish and maintain standardized processes that support effective, consistent, and sustainable program implementation.
• Manage program timelines, milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
• Ensure program activities align with regulatory, contractual, and institutional requirements in collaboration with appropriate Center and University partners.
• Identify operational challenges and develop solutions that support program quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise a team of professional employees, currently 3–6 full-time staff.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture grounded in accountability, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and accountability; address performance concerns appropriately; and support professional development and growth.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, and team development in collaboration with Center leadership and appropriate University partners.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively and establish clear expectations, roles, and accountability within the team.

Rural Expansion and Systems Development

• Lead the expansion of the Maternal Health Access Project into rural communities across Missouri in alignment with Rural Health Transformation Project priorities, contractual requirements, and program capacity.
• Develop and implement strategies that support sustainable growth while maintaining program quality, consistency, and fidelity.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to identify opportunities, address barriers, and build infrastructure necessary to support expansion of services.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including behavioral health professionals, state agencies, healthcare organizations, and community partners.
• Serve as a key organizational representative for the program and facilitate collaboration, coordinated care, and program integration across partners and systems.
• Represent the program in meetings, presentations, and other professional settings.
• Communicate program goals, progress, challenges, and opportunities effectively to internal and external stakeholders.

Data, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Partner with the evaluation team to understand program data collection and management, monitor program performance, assess outcomes and impact, and use data to inform program decisions and improvements.
• Work collaboratively with evaluation partners to ensure program data and performance information accurately reflect program activities and outcomes.
• Utilize program data and evaluation findings to support continuous quality improvement and stakeholder communications.
• Lead the development and coordination of required program deliverables and reports.
• Ensure deliverables are comprehensive, accurate, professionally written, aligned with project requirements, and submitted in a timely manner.

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Hours: This position may occasionally require work outside of standard business hours, including evenings or weekends, based on program needs, stakeholder meetings, travel, or events associated with the expansion of services across Missouri.

Shift

Monday – Friday

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Occasional nights and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree in public health, healthcare administration, social work, behavioral health, business administration, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.

Years of Experience:

Progressive experience in program leadership, development, implementation, or management. Demonstrated experience leading complex programs involving multiple stakeholders, sites, or geographic regions. Experience supervising and developing professional staff. Experience working with healthcare, behavioral health, maternal health, public health, or community-based systems is preferred. Experience working with state agencies, healthcare organizations, or community partners is preferred.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $65,000 - $78,000 annually

Grade: GGS - 010

University Title: PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPRT COOR SR

Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

In addition to the Online Application, please provide Resume and cover letter.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.