Associate Director BH-CW

Associate Director, Behavioral Health and Child Welfare

The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is a policy design and implementation partner devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. We connect people and ideas to spark insights, build expertise, strengthen leadership, and spread innovations. Across sectors and disciplines, we support our partners to make more effective, efficient, and equitable care possible. The passion, expertise and creativity of CHCS’ staff make our work possible. We are committed to a diverse workforce that brings distinct perspectives, cultures, races, ethnicities, gender and sexual identities, experiences, and abilities to the table.

Position Overview

The Associate Director will be responsible for developing, managing, and executing CHCS child welfare and child behavioral health-focused programs. This position will lead a team that works on initiatives focusing on children and youth who receive publicly financed health and behavioral health services, with a particular focus on the child welfare system and foster care population. The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of and experience with children’s behavioral health and child welfare policy and practice and preferably, some understanding of Medicaid financing as it relates to the services provided to children in foster care. This is not a clinical position; we are seeking individuals with state or federal policy experience in these related areas of health and human services.

This full-time, senior-level position will report to the Senior Vice President of Program and Strategic Planning. The position is based in the CHCS office, near Princeton, NJ. Remote candidates who reside outside of the NJ/NY/PA area will be considered but occasional travel to the home office will be required, in addition to the position’s regular travel responsibilities related to the programs it directs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise related to children’s behavioral health, child welfare/foster care, and Medicaid-policy as it relates to child health.
• Lead portfolio strategy in partnership with portfolio senior vice president and team to develop and implement new behavioral health and child welfare programs.
• Facilitate one-on-one, small group, team calls and meetings with funders, program participants, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Supervise the work of project team on all content and deliverables, ensuring that products and communications are accurate, bring new insights to the intended audience, and meet CHCS’ quality standards and writing style.
• Lead and contribute to the conceptualization and development of new briefs/TA tools, reports, or other materials to disseminate project findings.
• Maintain responsibility for funder and external partner relations on certain projects within the portfolio, including new proposal development, project communications and reporting, and renewals, as appropriate.
• Mentor mid-level and junior staff.
• Actively participate in efforts to enhance the organizational culture.

Core Competencies/Requirements

• Passionate about the mission and work of CHCS in promoting health and racial equity for people served by Medicaid, and dedicated to advancing CHCS’ organizational commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in local, state, or federal health/human service agencies responsible for children’s behavioral health, child welfare, and/or social policy and practice issues related to the provision and/or coordination of health and social services to children and youth.
• Master’s degree in related field (public policy, public administration, public health, the behavioral sciences, or social services-related field) preferred or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with internal and external team members from varying backgrounds and areas of expertise, including ability to work with a diverse group of public sector leaders, payers, providers, and other stakeholders across the nation.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, track deliverables, and the ability to work both independently and in teams.
• Ability to manage the work of consultants and subcontractors serving as technical assistance providers.
• Strong communication and writing skills with the ability to write clear and effective materials for a wide range of audiences.
• Occasional local and national travel required.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The employee will perform job duties in a business office environment. Tasks are generally carried out with no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to work at a desk with a computer for extended periods of time. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment such as personal computers, duplicating machines, fax machines and standard office telephones. The employee may be required to attend meetings, both on- and offsite, via phone, videoconference or in person.

All CHCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of their vaccination status before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) through Human Resources to this requirement.

Salary and Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience and education. CHCS also offers a highly competitive benefit package.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, a writing sample (2-3 pages) to CHCS’ Career Center with “Associate Director BH-CW” referenced in the subject line. Cover letters should include:

• Why you are interested in the Associate Director position.
• Any additional professional and/or personal experience that informs your qualifications for the position that otherwise is not obvious from your resume.
• Your salary requirements for the position.

This description is not intended to limit the responsibilities of a prospective employee to the duties listed above. Responsibilities may vary based on company and individual capabilities.

The Center for Health Care Strategies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.