Coalition News

BCHC is hiring: Senior Director of Programs

July 2024

Who We Are

The Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) is a forum for the leaders of America’s largest metropolitan health departments to exchange strategies and jointly address issues to promote and protect the health and safety of the more than 61 million people they serve. Together, these public health officials directly affect the health and wellbeing of one in five Americans. Our vision is to create healthy, more equitable communities through big city innovation and leadership. Through our work, we aim to advance equity and health for present and future generations.

What You’ll Do – Position Overview

The Senior Director of Programs will oversee BCHC program work and act as a trusted thought partner to the Executive Director (ED). Managing projects, people, and relationships (including members, funders, and partners), as well as developing new ones, is important in this role.

The ideal candidate will both lead and manage the Coalition’s program portfolio. This includes managing program staff, projects, and budgets, and coordinating across the team and project work to ensure deliverables meet – and whenever possible, exceed – expectations and deadlines. The role also entails facilitating technical assistance and/or capacity building and sharing best practices among BCHC’s 35 member cities, as well as synthesizing learnings for partners and the media into a cohesive story about big city governmental public health. In addition to overseeing BCHC’s program portfolio, the Senior Director will contribute to Board management and other budgeting and/or organizational oversight activities, primarily as it relates to program.

BCHC is an entirely remote team with half of the staff residing in the DC-metro area. Working hours are typical of a full-time daytime position, but sometimes work has to happen outside of routine business hours. Ability to travel about once a month for BCHC programs, Board, and staff events is expected with dates known well in advance.

Responsibilities and Opportunities

Provides vision for BCHC program work and ensures activities support BCHC’s mission and meets or exceeds member and funder expectations.
Leads and manages project and programmatic activities and serves as primary investigator (PI) or co-PI for various grants.
Oversees program staff on project work and serve as a direct supervisor for some.
Coordinates – and sometimes leads – technical assistance, capacity building, and best-practice sharing among BCHC’s members.
Fosters strong, collaborative relationships with BCHC members, key partners, and other stakeholders to support and grow BCHC’s program work.
Contributes to external communications with partners, policymakers, and media to share stories based on BCHC program activities.
Serves as a senior-level thought partner to the ED and steps in for the ED when necessary/appropriate.

Who You Are

You are a pragmatic, results-oriented, hands-on leader with a successful track record in managing staff and multiple, simultaneous projects. Ideally, you’ve worked in a local or state health department – or have a track record of working with governmental public health or with association members more broadly. You are also:

Mission-driven: You want to make a difference and are a thought-leader in creating and promoting program and policy solutions to end inequities across the social determinants of health.
Flexible: You are flexible and willing to adapt to changing needs in an environment that is dynamic and complex. You are also comfortable with course correction as needed. A sense of humor is a must.
Detail-oriented: You are organized with an exceptional attention to detail and a keen ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. Excellent writing skills and an ability to collect, review, synthesize, and present information well are a must.
Motivated: You care deeply about doing what it takes to achieve results. You drive work forward with a sense of urgency, anticipate problems, and course-correct when needed.
Well versed in the work: You have a demonstrated track record of advancing evidence-based practice and/or policy to improve public health, and an understanding of the social determinants, as well as the ways in which structural racism impacts community health and resilience.

What You Bring

While no one person will embody all the qualities enumerated above, the ideal candidate will possess the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences.

Minimum of ten years of relevant work experience, with an advanced degree in law, public policy, public health, or similar.
Deep understanding of, and experience with, leveraging policy as a tool for improving people’s lives; experience working with cities or localities would be a plus.
The gravitas and maturity to engage with diverse audiences and perspectives.
Excellent, proven project and grant management skills.
A sincere commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly as it relates to the diversity of people and places represented by our nation’s urban centers.

What We Offer

We are a small, nimble, hardworking staff, with a collegial work environment. Our generous benefits package includes:

10+ paid holidays, including extended year-end winter break
3 weeks paid leave in first three years of employment
12 days paid sick leave and 6 paid wellness days
Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
Employer-matched 401k program
Technology, wellness, and co-working office space stipends
Professional development support

The starting salary range for this position is $145,000 to $155,000, commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to resumes@hri-online.com, with “BCHC Sr Dir of Programs” in the subject line.