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Health Director Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

The Behavioral Health Director of Nursing provides strategic and operational leadership for all nursing services across Behavioral Health programs, including Facility-Based Crisis (FBC), Behavioral ...

... Director. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: * A thorough knowledge of, and skill in, the application of principles and techniques employed in the field of public health, general nursing, and women ...

Health & Safety Director Lead enterprise safety strategy for a national engineering and consulting organization. Kleinfelder is seeking a Health & Safety Director to lead, strengthen, and ...

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Health Director information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$54.4K

$98.2K

$143.4K

How much do health director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for health director in Raleigh, NC is $98,183.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,800.00 and $115,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a health director do?

A Health Director is responsible for overseeing public health programs and initiatives within a community, organization, or government agency. They manage staff, develop health policies, coordinate health services, and ensure compliance with health regulations. Health Directors also work on promoting health education, preventing disease outbreaks, and responding to public health emergencies. Their goal is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of the population they serve.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a health director?

To thrive as a Health Director, you need a strong background in public health, healthcare administration, and policy development, usually supported by a master’s degree in public health or a related field. Familiarity with health data analytics tools, regulatory systems, and program management platforms is vital. Leadership, strategic communication, and decision-making skills help drive effective teams and foster community partnerships. These competencies are crucial for ensuring organizational effectiveness, public health compliance, and the delivery of impactful health programs.

How does a health director typically collaborate with other departments to implement public health initiatives?

A Health Director often works closely with departments such as environmental services, emergency management, and local government agencies to plan and execute public health initiatives. This collaboration may involve coordinating joint outreach programs, sharing critical data, and aligning strategies to address community health concerns. Effective communication and strong leadership skills are vital, as Health Directors must bring together diverse teams to respond to public health issues quickly and efficiently. Building these cross-departmental relationships can also help advance your career by expanding your professional network and demonstrating your ability to lead complex projects.

What is the difference between Health Director vs Public Health Manager?

AspectHealth DirectorPublic Health Manager
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's degree in public health, healthcare administration, or related field; often includes relevant certificationsUsually holds a master's degree in public health, health administration, or similar; certifications like CPH or CHES are common
Work EnvironmentLeads healthcare organizations, hospitals, or health departments; oversees strategic planning and policy implementationManages public health programs, community health initiatives, and departmental operations within health agencies
Employer & Industry UsageFound in hospitals, healthcare systems, government health agenciesCommon in local, state, or federal public health departments and organizations

The main difference between a Health Director and a Public Health Manager lies in scope and focus. Health Directors often oversee entire healthcare organizations or large departments, focusing on strategic leadership. Public Health Managers typically concentrate on managing specific public health programs and community initiatives. Both roles require similar credentials and work within the public health sector, but their responsibilities and organizational levels differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Health jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Health jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Health Director jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Health Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Health Director job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,188 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Medical Director - Public Health (Tiered Sign-On Bonus up to $5,000)

Raleigh, NC • On-site


Wake County Government

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

227th of 852 rated public administrative organizations

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

As the Medical Director for Wake County Public Health, you will be a key leader shaping the health and wellbeing of our community. In this role, you guide the clinical vision of the department and ensure our services align with the goals of Wake County, the Health Director, the Board of Commissioners, and state and federal mandates.

You will set the standard for medical excellence across Public Health, developing, implementing, and evaluating medical policies and clinical practice guidelines that strengthen care delivery. You'll serve as the primary physician for public health clinical services, providing medical orders, consultation, and direction to multidisciplinary teams. As a trusted partner to the broader medical community, you will build collaborative relationships that support population health goals and expand access to highquality care throughout Wake County.

You will also play a critical leadership role during urgent and emergent public health events, from communicable disease outbreaks to disaster response, helping guide clinical strategy and coordination during times when the community needs it most.

As a member of the Public Health Leadership Team, you will represent the department publicly through media interviews, community presentations, and participation on committees and workgroups, helping communicate important public health issues, priorities, and initiatives.

Essential Functions of the Medical Director include: 

Administration & Leadership

  • Serves as senior medical administrator supporting Public Health Director in advancing mission, culture, and strategic priorities.
  • Oversees all medical services across Public Health, ensuring integration and alignment across clinics, disciplines, and operational units.
  • Develops and enforces clinical policies, procedures, standing orders, and provider performance standards.
  • Provides oversight for physician/APRN recruitment, credentialing, supervision, and quality of clinical practice.
  • Supervises Provider Supervisors and provides medical oversight to clinical, laboratory, and pharmacy staff.
  • Conducts leadership rounding to assess team needs, support staff well-being, and improve workflows and patient experience.
  • Performs limited direct patient care as mutually agreed upon with department leadership.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

  • Ensures clinical operations consistently meet regulatory, legal, and ethical standards.
  • Leads evaluation of public health programs, quality assurance, utilization review, and costeffective service delivery.
  • Chairs the Human Subjects Review Panel, ensuring ethical research practices.
  • Collaborates with Occupational Health/ Infection Control Nurse to advise on compliance and safety matters.

Occupational Health, Safety & Infection Control

  • Provides oversight and guidance for employee health surveillance and occupational health program development.
  • Supports creation, implementation, and review of occupational health policies and infection control procedures.
  • Advises Health Director on emerging occupational health needs and compliance issues.

What Wake County employees say

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