Director of Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management (OPEM)

DescriptionThe Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as the Director of the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management (OPEM). This executive leadership position is responsible for advancing DPH’s comprehensive public health and healthcare preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience capabilities, while ensuring Massachusetts is prepared to respond effectively to all-hazards emergencies. The Director provides strategic leadership for all OPEM programs and operations, overseeing policy development, emergency planning, federal preparedness initiatives, organizational performance, and continuous improvement efforts. The position serves as the Commissioner's principal advisor on emergency preparedness and healthcare system resilience and represents the Department in executive-level coordination with federal, state, regional, local, healthcare, and community partners.As a member of OPEM's Duty Officer program, the Director shares responsibility for providing executive level emergency response coverage on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis and is expected to respond to significant public health and healthcare system emergencies whenever they occur.This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced executive who thrives in complex, high-profile environments and is passionate about advancing public health, emergency preparedness, and health equity. The Director will shape critical statewide initiatives, oversee significant federal preparedness investments, and lead initiatives that strengthen the Commonwealth’s ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from emergencies. This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of millions of residents while leading a highly skilled team dedicated to protecting communities across Massachusetts.Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management, fostering a high-performing organization focused on innovation, accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.Direct the Commonwealth's public health and healthcare emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and resilience programs, ensuring operational readiness for all-hazards incidents, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other public health emergencies.Lead development, implementation, testing, and continuous improvement of the Department's Emergency Operations Plan and related emergency management policies, procedures, and continuity planning activities.Oversee the strategic administration of federal preparedness programs and funding, including the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) cooperative agreements, ensuring strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, grant administration, and performance management.Strengthen statewide healthcare system preparedness by providing executive leadership for the Health and Medical Coordinating Coalitions, and fostering collaboration among healthcare organizations, local public health agencies, emergency medical services, and regional partners to enhance coordinated emergency response capabilities.Serve as the Commissioner's principal advisor on emergency preparedness, healthcare system resilience, and related policy matters while representing the Department in executive-level discussions with federal, state, regional, and local partners.Direct the Department's responsibilities under Emergency Support Function 8 (Public Health and Medical Services), coordinating statewide emergency planning, response, recovery, and continuity activities with emergency management agencies and public health partners.Advance health equity by integrating equitable preparedness, response, recovery, and resource allocation strategies into emergency management planning while strengthening partnerships with communities disproportionately impacted by health inequities.Provide executive leadership during emergency activations by serving in senior incident management roles, participating in the 24/7 Duty Officer program, supporting continuity of government operations, and directing emergency response activities during significant public health events.Build and sustain strong partnerships with healthcare systems, governmental agencies, community organizations, and regional and national partners to advance preparedness initiatives, strengthen resilience, and improve the Commonwealth's ability to respond to future emergencies.Preferred Qualifications:Demonstrated executive leadership experience in public health emergency preparedness, emergency management, homeland security, healthcare preparedness, or a closely related field.Experience leading large, complex organizations or multidisciplinary teams in a governmental, healthcare, or public health environment.Strong knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and all-hazards emergency preparedness principles.Experience managing large federal grant programs, budgets, contracts, and work plans, and performance management requirements.Proven ability to build collaborative partnerships with federal, state, local, healthcare, and community stakeholders.Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives that improve organizational performance, emergency readiness, and operational resilience.Demonstrated success leading emergency response or incident management operations during high-pressure or rapidly evolving situations.Strong understanding of healthcare system preparedness, continuity of operations, and disaster recovery planning.Excellent communication, consensus-building, and executive-level presentation skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders and policymakers on complex issues.Commitment to advancing health equity and incorporating equitable practices into emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and community engagement initiatives.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 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 HealthPre-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 RequestsFor questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io Ext. #4QualificationsMINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) 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 three (3) years must have been in a managerial capacity.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 BenefitsWhen 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.Job Field: Administrative ServicesOrganization: Department of Public HealthSchedule: Full-timeShift: Day