Manager of Strategic Health Communications Design and Integration

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced public health communications professional to support the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP). The Manager of Strategic Health Communications Design and Integration provides leadership in the development and implementation of communications strategies across the bureau. This position helps BCHAP programs to leverage communication strategies grounded in behavior change theory to advance policy and programmatic goals across a range of topics, including: tobacco, obesity, cancer and chronic disease prevention, violence and injury prevention, sexual and domestic violence, adolescent and school-based health, and sexual and reproductive health. The position works across the Bureau to ensure consistency and clarity of message. In addition, they provide leadership, strategic direction, and indirect supervision to eight communications staff who are based in programmatic teams across the Bureau and ensure accountability across teams.

BCHAP acknowledges the history and persistence of structural racism in the United States and its impact on health. We are committed to improving the quality of life for all Commonwealth residents while eliminating the inequities that threaten the lives of communities of color who are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and their risk factors. The Manager of Strategic Health Communications Design and Integration will provide leadership and coordination to program staff within the bureau to help frame and message this commitment.

Qualified candidates will possess the professional and managerial experience to lead health communications efforts, as well as the interpersonal and communication skills needed to support staff across the bureau in producing high quality and efficient services. The Manager of Strategic Health Communications Design and Integration ensures that all BCHAP communication strategies are aligned with DPH and EOHHS priorities and adhere to DPH policies and procedures related to communication.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and are not all inclusive):
   Communication Strategy Development & Implementation 

• Ability to assess, prioritize, design, implement and improve comprehensive health communication strategy across a broad spectrum of content areas.
• Foster creative message planning to leverage and integrate messages.
• Provide strategic direction and assist staff from across Bureau programs to infuse communications strategies into Bureau wide strategic planning.
• Provide technical assistance to BCHAP programs to leverage effective health communication strategies in program design.
• Support program staff on RFQ development for vendors.

   Leadership & Collaboration 

• Maintain exceptional leadership and communication skills while establishing strong working relationships and strategic partnerships with diverse internal and external constituents, stakeholders, and groups.
• Continue coordination with BCHAP programs throughout the fiscal year to ensure projects are on time and on budget

   Staff Development & Capacity Building

• Build capacity of staff across the Bureau engaged in strategic health communication.
• Provide indirect supervision for eight staff embedded within programs across the bureau.
• Develop and implement integrated communication goals for program staff.

   Health Equity

• Ensure the development and implementation of communications materials and strategies have a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s level training in health communications, public health, public policy, health assessment or a related field.
• Knowledge and experience developing health communications for several public health areas.
• Demonstrated experience managing diverse staff.
• Understanding of principals of health communications including identification of target audiences, understanding of literacy levels, linguistic and cultural access and earned media.
• Skills to assess complex situations, diagnose problems and plan effective communication strategies and actions.
• Strong understanding of social determinants of health and a commitment to health equity, particularly racial equity.
• Three to four years relevant work experience in health communications or related field, with at least three years in a related supervisory or management capacity.

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.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the   Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510- 4122 Ext. #2.

 MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) 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 experience.

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

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

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

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!

Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

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.