The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) is accepting applications for the Statewide Director of Community Services.This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the future of community-based behavioral health services across the Commonwealth through the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. As the Statewide Director of Community Services, you will serve as a senior leader within the Mental Health Services (MHS) Division, Central Office, responsible for advancing statewide strategy, policy development, operational excellence, and system innovation for programs supporting individuals with serious mental illness and complex behavioral health needs. In this high-profile role, you will collaborate with MHS senior leadership, the Central Office executive team, Area offices, providers, and cross-agency stakeholders to strengthen service delivery, improve outcomes, and promote equitable, recovery-oriented care across Massachusetts.

This position is ideal for an experienced behavioral health or human services leader who thrives in complex systems, enjoys building collaborative partnerships, and is passionate about improving public sector mental health services. You will oversee critical statewide functions including licensing, housing initiatives, young adult transitional services, quality improvement efforts, and interagency coordination, while helping guide future service models and strategic priorities. The role also offers the opportunity to influence statewide policy, mentor high-performing teams, and champion culturally responsive and equitable behavioral health services that positively impact communities across Massachusetts.

Travel to other DMH locations is required.

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

• Lead the statewide planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of community behavioral health services, ensuring effective, compliant, and accountable service delivery systems aligned with agency priorities and strategic goals.

• Direct policy development, program design, operational strategy, and performance management initiatives to improve service quality, outcomes, accountability, and system-wide effectiveness for individuals with serious mental illness and complex behavioral health needs.

• Provide executive-level support and strategic guidance to senior leadership on policy decisions, procurement planning, system redesign efforts, and statewide community services initiatives.

• Oversee and manage core statewide program areas including Licensing, Housing, and Young Adult Transitional Services, while establishing performance expectations, promoting staff development, and ensuring operational excellence.

• Lead statewide quality improvement and service enhancement initiatives by identifying system gaps, implementing corrective strategies, analyzing outcomes, and supporting continuous operational improvement efforts.

• Direct licensing, compliance, investigation, and reporting functions for community residential and crisis stabilization programs, ensuring adherence to regulatory, legal, and quality standards.

• Oversee statewide housing and fiscal operations, including monitoring housing support programs, evaluating system-wide impact, and supporting fiscally responsible service delivery strategies within resource-constrained environments.

• Guide statewide young adult and transition-age youth initiatives through policy development, service design, cross-system collaboration, and implementation of evidence-based behavioral health supports that promote successful transitions into adulthood.

• Collaborate extensively with DMH leadership, EOHHS agencies, providers, municipalities, and external stakeholders to strengthen interagency coordination, improve complex care planning, and advance statewide behavioral health initiatives.

• Promote Race, Equity, Inclusion, and culturally responsive practices across all operations, including policy development, procurement activities, contract management, workforce development, and community service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive leadership experience in public behavioral health, mental health services, human services, healthcare administration, or a related field.

• Hold a valid clinical license in Massachusetts

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing statewide policies, programs, or system-wide service initiatives within complex organizations.

• Strong knowledge of community-based behavioral health systems, licensing standards, regulatory compliance, and quality management practices.

• Experience overseeing multidisciplinary teams, managing high-level operations, and fostering staff development and organizational effectiveness.

• Proven ability to lead cross-agency collaborations and build productive relationships with government agencies, providers, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders.

• Experience supporting procurement planning, contract oversight, program evaluation, and service redesign initiatives in a public sector or healthcare environment.

• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills, including the ability to interpret complex data, identify system gaps, and implement operational improvements.

• Knowledge of housing systems, transition-age youth services, crisis services, and supports for individuals with serious mental illness and complex behavioral health needs.

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing Race, Equity, Inclusion, and culturally responsive practices within policy development, workforce management, and service delivery.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across executive leadership, providers, community partners, and public audiences.

Department of Mental Health’s Mission:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and support to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Offer 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 Record 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) 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 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.