The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an accomplished and mission-driven professional to serve as the Director of the Division of Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP). This high-impact executive leadership role offers the chance to shape statewide policies, strengthen life-changing services, and advance innovative strategies that prevent sexual and domestic violence while promoting safety, healing, and equitable access to essential resources. With strategic oversight of an annual budget exceeding $80 million, you will influence a comprehensive network of survivor support services, community-based prevention programs, and statewide partnerships that make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout Massachusetts.
As Division Director, you will play an essential role in shaping the future of violence prevention and survivor services across the Commonwealth, leading a dedicated team of public health professionals while collaborating with government leaders, healthcare organizations, advocacy groups, and community partners. Your leadership will drive meaningful systems change, elevate survivor voices in decision-making, and strengthen culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches that address the root causes of violence and persistent health inequities. If you are ready to bring your expertise, vision, and passion to a role where your work can create a lasting statewide impact, join us in building safer, healthier, and more resilient communities for generations to come.
BCHAP is committed to advancing health equity and improving quality of life across the Commonwealth. We acknowledge that historical and systemic inequities shape the experiences of survivors of sexual and domestic violence, underscoring the importance of survivor-centered, culturally responsive approaches that promote safety, healing, dignity, and empowerment. In response, our mission is to build inclusive systems of prevention and survivor support and broaden access to comprehensive prevention education, intervention, and survivor services for all, with a targeted focus on dismantling racial disparities. The Director of the Division of Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services will lead their team in embedding equity, accessibility, and systemic fairness into every facet of their operations.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Division of Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services, overseeing statewide programs, policies, and initiatives that advance survivor safety, violence prevention, healing, and health equity.
Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive strategic plans that align division priorities with departmental goals, strengthen service delivery, address the root causes of violence, and promote evidence-informed, culturally responsive prevention and intervention strategies.
Oversee a comprehensive statewide network of survivor services and prevention programs, including rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, community-based victim services, family support initiatives, prevention education, Intimate Partner Abuse Education Programs, and specialized programs serving historically marginalized and underserved populations.
Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, healthcare systems, advocacy organizations, academic institutions, and community stakeholders to strengthen coordination, expand access to essential services, and advance statewide sexual and domestic violence prevention efforts.
Champion survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and healing-centered approaches by engaging survivors, community leaders, and culturally specific organizations in program planning, policy development, and continuous improvement, including development and leadership of community advisory structures.
Provide executive leadership, supervision, and professional development to a multidisciplinary team of public health professionals, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable workplace culture that supports employee well-being, operational excellence, and organizational effectiveness.
Direct strategic management and allocation of more than $80 million in state and federal funding, overseeing budgets, grants, contracts, procurements, and financial planning to ensure fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, equitable resource distribution, and long-term program sustainability.
Advance data-driven decision-making and continuous quality improvement through program evaluation, performance monitoring, research, and analysis to assess outcomes, identify service gaps and disparities, and strengthen the effectiveness of statewide prevention and survivor support initiatives.
Serve as a senior policy advisor and subject matter expert to departmental leadership, public officials, and statewide and national advisory bodies, providing strategic recommendations on emerging issues, legislative priorities, public health policies, and innovative approaches to sexual and domestic violence prevention and intervention.
Contribute to bureau-wide executive leadership and organizational planning, collaborating across divisions, agencies, and external partners to establish strategic priorities, strengthen integrated public health responses, navigate complex policy challenges, and advance racial equity, accessibility, and social justice throughout the Commonwealth.
Preferred Qualifications:
Extensive knowledge and expertise in sexual and domestic violence prevention, survivor advocacy, trauma-informed care, perpetrator accountability, and evidence-based intervention strategies that promote safety, healing, and community well-being.
Demonstrated experience in executive leadership and strategic management, including directing complex statewide programs, establishing organizational priorities, implementing policies, and advancing initiatives that support public health objectives.
Proven ability to lead, supervise, and develop multidisciplinary teams, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment while promoting professional growth, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.
Comprehensive knowledge of racial and health equity principles, including structural racism, gender-based oppression, social determinants of health, and the application of culturally responsive and intersectional approaches to public health programming.
Strong financial management and budget oversight experience, including administering complex state and federal funding sources, managing grants and contracts, overseeing procurement processes, and ensuring fiscal accountability and regulatory compliance.
Demonstrated expertise in public health program development, implementation, and evaluation, including conducting needs assessments, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, measuring program outcomes, and applying research findings to inform strategic decisions.
Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with demonstrated success establishing partnerships across government agencies, healthcare organizations, advocacy groups, community-based providers, and diverse populations.
Thorough understanding of applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and public policies governing sexual and domestic violence prevention, victim services, confidentiality protections, healthcare systems, and public-sector administration.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information, influence policy decisions, facilitate consensus, resolve conflicts, and effectively engage senior leadership, policymakers, community partners, and the public.
Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and navigate complex, politically sensitive environments, balancing competing priorities, addressing emerging challenges, leading organizational change, and developing innovative solutions that advance survivor-centered services, equitable access, and long-term program sustainability.
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
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.
