Director of Community Engagement

Candidates must live in Columbus, Ohio to be considered for this position.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Navita Health is expanding across Ohio, and we are seeking an experienced, high-impact Director of Community Engagement to lead our growth initiatives in the Columbus region and surrounding markets.

This hybrid leadership role bridges high-level strategic partner development, community outreach, and sales operational management. The Director of Community Engagement will oversee local growth efforts, manage and empower outreach/sales personnel, establish high-value partnerships, and drive service utilization for behavioral health and substance use disorder recovery services. As the face of Navita Health, in the region, you will play a pivotal role in expanding our footprint, building community trust, and ensuring team alignment with organizational revenue and impact goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Partner Development & Market Expansion

• Territory & Market Growth: Define and execute regional growth plans; analyze market data, trends, and service gaps in Ohio's behavioral health landscape to identify emerging opportunities.
• Partnership Management: Identify, secure, and nurture strategic relationships with treatment centers, housing providers, healthcare networks, state/local programs, and community leaders.
• Customized Alignment: Tailor partnership strategies to match market needs and partner goals, ensuring sustainable growth and mutually beneficial relationships.
• Brand Representation: Serve as the primary senior contact and ambassador for internal and external partners across the Columbus market and state footprint.

Sales & Outreach Leadership

• Team Management & Supervision: Hire, train, onboard, and lead local community engagement managers, outreach representatives, account managers, and community liaison staff in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Performance & Quotas: Establish regional outreach goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and conversion quotas; oversee daily operations and performance of the team to achieve growth targets.
• Budgeting & Operations: Prepare regional outreach budgets, projections, and sales/pipeline forecasts; manage expenditures and implement cost-saving measures while driving revenue.
• Process & Compliance: Guide partners and team members on policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); handle and resolve customer or partner escalations regarding services.
• Compliance: Follow HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality, and federal and state anti-kickback and patient-brokering laws in all outreach and referral activities.

Community Engagement & Network Growth

• Client & Provider Recruitment: Conduct targeted outreach activities to engage and recruit new clients and service providers into the Navita Health ecosystem.
• Provider Support: Work alongside Lead Peers to support new peer recovery supporters through placement, training, certification, and credentialing processes to ensure a smooth transition to providing services.
• Events & Advocacy: Coordinate and attend local community events, forums, panel discussions, and networking groups (educational, wellness, recovery-focused) to deepen community connection and drive awareness.
• Board & Forum Participation: Active involvement on local community boards and advocacy groups to foster long-term trust and promote service utilization.

Key Leadership Competencies

• Ethical Leadership & Integrity: Leads with honesty, transparency, and accountability; upholds the highest ethical standards in partner relationships, client recruitment, and referral practices; ensures all outreach and growth activities comply with healthcare regulations and reflect Navita Health's mission and values.
• Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen: Understands the business implications of decisions; displays an orientation toward growth while aligning work with Navita Health's mission.
• Relationship & Sales Excellence: Proven ability to initiate new contacts, overcome objections, navigate complex healthcare landscapes, and maintain exceptional stakeholder satisfaction.
• Team Leadership & Development: Skilled at inspiring, coaching, and managing a team to reach quantitative and qualitative metrics.
• Cost Consciousness & Fiscal Responsibility: Operates within approved budgets, tracks expenditure, and optimizes resource allocation based on data-informed decisions.
• Data & Reporting: Track referral sources, outreach activity and conversions in the CRM or EHR, and report monthly results to leadership.
• Quality & Adaptability: Demonstrates thoroughness and accuracy in work; adapts strategies dynamically based on changing market conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related field (preferred, or equivalent combination of education and hands-on leadership experience).
• Educational Preference: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Sales, Marketing or related focus or Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).
• Experience:
  • 4+ years of progressive experience in partnership development, community engagement, account management, or healthcare sales.
  • 2+ years in a supervisory, management, or team leadership role required.
  • Strong background in substance use disorder/ recovery field, mental health, behavioral health is strongly preferred.
  • Existing professional relationships within the Columbus healthcare community is preferred.
  • Knowledge of Ohio's Medicaid behavioral health system and treatment programs, insurance processes and managed care plans, and referral management is preferred.
• Licenses/Designations/Certifications:
  • Must have a valid OH Driver's License, reliable vehicle and active auto insurance with liability coverage and have the ability to drive for extended periods of time.
  • Ohio clinical licenses or certifications are preferred, but not required.

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot), Google Suite, EHRs, and data management/analytics tools.
• Driving & Background Requirements: Valid state driver's license, active auto insurance, and willingness to undergo regular background and MVR checks.
• Lived Experience / Recovery: If in personal recovery, a minimum of 5 years of continuous, verified sobriety is preferred.
• Communication & Math Skills: Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills. Ability to calculate growth metrics, ROI, conversion rates, and budget projections.
• Mission Alignment: Passion for improving lives through accessible recovery support services and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises Ohio Community Engagement Managers and any aligned staff or contractors; including hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and professional development for all members.
• Ensures all team members follow company policies, SOPs, and applicable regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & TRAVEL

• Work Arrangement: Hybrid, combining remote and office work with field-based activities in community settings such as treatment centers, shelters, courts, hospitals, and recovery events. Requires professionalism, discretion, and sensitivity to the populations served.
• Travel: Regular travel within greater Columbus and across Ohio, with occasional out-of-state travel to support expansion. Mileage is reimbursed per company policy.
• Schedule: Primarily weekday business hours, with occasional evenings and weekends for outreach events, conferences, and board meetings.
• Physical Requirements: Regular sitting and computer and phone use; frequent standing and walking during events and site visits; exposure to moderate to high noise levels; and the ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable accommodation.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Hiring Range:
  • $85,000-90,000, based on education and experience.
  • Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k); generous PTO; and paid holidays.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Navita Health is a proud equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or Veteran status.