Agency Director

Areas of Responsibility

• Enterprise Leadership & Strategy
• Set the strategic direction for the Department of Public Health and ensure alignment across all divisions and programs.
• Lead and supervise the executive leadership team, fostering a unified, high-performing organization.
• Evaluate organizational capacity and drive improvements in structure, workforce development, and operational efficiency.
• State Public Health Officer
• Serve as South Carolina’s principal public health authority and trusted voice during both routine operations and crisis situations.
• Communicate clearly and credibly with the public, elected officials, media, and stakeholders.
• Represent the state in national public health organizations and collaborations.
• Population Health Improvement
• Develop and implement innovative, evidence-based programs to prevent disease and improve health outcomes statewide.
• Use scientific evidence and data to guide decision-making and policy recommendations.
• Drive measurable improvement in South Carolina’s health outcomes and national health rankings.
• Healthcare Quality & Safety
• Ensure that healthcare facilities licensed by DPH provide safe, high-quality care.
• Oversee effective complaint response systems and promote transparency around facility quality and safety.
• Promote partnerships with healthcare providers to strengthen services and reduce incidents of serious harm.
• Fiscal Stewardship & Accountability
• Oversee responsible use of public funds, ensuring programs deliver value, quality, and access.
• Use performance measurement and outcomes data to guide funding and programmatic decisions.
• Manage a departmental budget exceeding $500 million and a workforce of nearly 2,800 employees statewide.
• Emergency Preparedness & Response
• Lead public health preparedness and response efforts before, during, and after disasters.
• Cook up and coordinate with healthcare facilities, emergency management, and elected leaders to ensure readiness.
• Provide calm, clear leadership and communication during public health emergencies.
• Workforce & Culture
• Champion a comprehensive human resources strategy encompassing recruitment, retention, performance management, and equity.
• Foster a culture where employees are engaged, accountable, and motivated by public service.
• Ensure compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity standards and best practices.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

• A mission-driven physician executive with deep public health expertise, exceptional leadership presence, and the ability to inspire trust across diverse communities.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible executive medicine leadership experience leading to a senior-level position, preferably with a large multi-site organization.
• Experience working in the public health field.
• Experience working closely with executive-level leadership, elected officials, and stakeholders.
• Highly effective communication skills and comfort with public speaking.
• Proven capacity to lead through crisis situations and the ability to clearly communicate appropriate courses of action.
• Exceptional listening skills and experience with analyzing and using scientific evidence and data to guide decision making.
• A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree from an accredited higher education institution and a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in South Carolina.
• A Master or Doctorate of Public Health (M.P.H./Dr.P.H.) is preferred.

COMPENSATION

The expected salary at the time of hire is $186,903 with the salary reevaluated by the Agency Head Salary Commission at a later date. The full salary band offers opportunity for compensation growth within the role.

To Apply

The application period will remain open until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the FGP team.

Candidates must meet the qualifications listed above in order to be considered. Questions about the role may be directed to Christin Mack, Practice Lead, Public Sector, Nonprofit, and Community Impact Executive Search, at cm***@*gp.com.