Director, Center for Rural Health

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven leader to serve as Director of the Center for Rural Health, an essential role within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP). This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of rural health across the Commonwealth by advancing innovative strategies that promote health equity, expand access to care, and strengthen community-based systems. Grounded in DPH’s commitment to addressing structural inequities, this role is ideal for a leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for underserved populations and partnering with communities to drive meaningful, lasting change. As Director, you will lead a high-impact portfolio that includes oversight of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), supported by a significant federal investment of $162 million annually over five years. This role sits at the center of a transformative moment for rural health in Massachusetts, requiring strategic vision, strong collaboration, and the ability to align statewide initiatives with community needs.

The selected candidate will serve as a key advisor, working across agencies, engaging senior leadership, and partnering with local, state, and federal stakeholders to advance policy, strengthen infrastructure, and ensure successful program implementation. The Director will also bring a strong understanding of public health systems, demonstrated commitment to equity and community engagement, and the ability to lead teams through complex initiatives with both strategic insight and practical execution.

Please Note: This position has statewide responsibilities and therefore primary work location is flexible within DPH work sites. The incumbent will be required to report to the Boston office on a regular cadence.



Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide strategic leadership for the Center for Rural Health and serve as the federally designated Director of the State Office of Rural Health.

• Lead and oversee all RHTP initiatives and related DPH programs to ensure alignment with statewide priorities and grant objectives.

• Represent DPH on the EHS Rural Health Transformation Governance Team and serve as a key advisor on rural health strategy.

• Direct program design, development, and implementation in accordance with grant deliverables and public health best practices.

• Establish and guide internal workgroups to promote coordination, collaboration, and integration across DPH bureaus and programs.

• Engage subject matter experts and stakeholders across DPH, EHS, and external partners to advance rural health initiatives.

• Develop and advance statewide and local rural health policies in collaboration with senior leadership and community partners.

• Oversee State Office of Rural Health programs, including the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program and Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program.

• Provide leadership, supervision, and performance management for staff, including setting priorities, workflows, and professional development.

• Manage program budgets, develop spending plans, and ensure effective use of funding to meet program goals.

• Oversee the preparation and submission of required reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with funding requirements.

• Support grant development efforts, including identifying opportunities and contributing to successful grant applications.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Demonstrated expertise in public health systems, including strategies that drive systems and environmental change to improve rural health outcomes.

• Strong knowledge of community health policies, practices, and emerging trends impacting rural populations.

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and addressing social determinants of health.

• Proven ability to lead, supervise, and develop high-performing teams in a complex organizational environment.

• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.

• Experience collaborating with senior leaders, policymakers, and external stakeholders, including elected officials.

• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage large-scale programs or initiatives.

• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and building effective partnerships across agencies or organizations.

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex issues and develop practical, result-driven solutions.

• Experience managing grants, including reporting requirements, funding compliance, and successful grant writing efforts.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, Access, Planner, PowerPoint, and Teams.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health

Pre-Hire Process:

A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Program Manager VII

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street

Job : Unclassified

Agency : Department of Public Health

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Apr 13, 2026, 1:19:41 PM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 100,839.08 - 155,529.95 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Stacy Hart / [email protected] - 8572741120

Bargaining Unit : M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes