ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXECUTIVE LEVEL), HEALTHY FAMILIES

Division Overview

The Healthy Families Division promotes the health, safety, and well‑being of individuals and families across the lifespan through evidence‑based programs that support healthy aging, maternal and child health, nutrition, and preventive services. It oversees a comprehensive portfolio of family‑centered public health programs, including the Area Agency on Aging, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Nurse‑Family Partnership, Maternal and Child Health initiatives, Children’s Environmental Health, Lead Hazard Reduction, Childhood Asthma Prevention, Family Planning Outreach, and other programs designed to improve the health and well‑being of Houston’s children, families, older adults, and caregivers.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for family and population health programs, including the Area Agency on Aging, WIC, Nurse‑Family Partnership, Maternal and Child Health initiatives, Children’s Environmental Health, Family Planning Outreach, and other assigned programs.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that improve maternal and child health outcomes, promote healthy aging, strengthen family well‑being, and reduce health disparities.
• Provide executive oversight for programs that promote healthy pregnancies, infant and child health, early childhood development, nutrition, parenting support, and healthy aging.
• Lead environmental health initiatives focused on reducing childhood lead exposure, improving housing‑related health outcomes, and preventing environmentally related illnesses such as childhood asthma.
• Oversee outreach and education initiatives that increase awareness of reproductive health services, family planning resources, nutrition services, and available community resources.
• Strengthen coordination across family health programs to improve continuity of care, client access, referral systems, and service integration, facilitating a “no wrong door” access model.
• Develop collaborative partnerships with healthcare systems, educational institutions, community‑based organizations, housing agencies, aging service providers, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies to improve health outcomes across the lifespan.
• Utilize community health assessments, performance measures, and program data to evaluate effectiveness, identify emerging needs, and guide strategic planning.
• Oversee division budgets, grants, contracts, and multiple funding sources while ensuring fiscal accountability and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Develop high‑performing teams through workforce planning, coaching, succession planning, performance management, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Represent the department before governmental agencies, elected officials, advisory councils, healthcare organizations, community partners, and professional organizations.
• Serve in leadership roles during public health emergencies and Incident Command System (ICS) activations, which may require extended hours, emergency assignments, and non‑traditional work schedules.
• Oversee additional programs and functions as assigned based on departmental priorities and evolving community needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree may be substituted for two years of experience.

Experience:

• Seven years of administrative experience, including at least three years in a managerial capacity.
• Relevant experience providing executive leadership for maternal and child health, healthy aging, nutrition, family support, or public health programs is preferred.

License Requirements: None.

Preferences

• Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), Health Administration (MHA), Public Administration (MPA), Nursing, Social Work (MSW), Nutrition, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
• Experience providing executive leadership for maternal and child health, healthy aging, nutrition, family support, or public health programs.
• Experience overseeing federally or state‑funded public health programs, including grant administration and regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing maternal and child health initiatives, home visitation programs, nutrition services, family support programs, or healthy aging services.
• Experience overseeing programs focused on childhood lead poisoning prevention, healthy housing, asthma prevention, or other children’s environmental health initiatives.
• Experience developing and implementing strategies that improve health outcomes for children, families, older adults, and underserved populations.
• Experience leading community outreach, health education, and public awareness campaigns.
• Experience developing partnerships with healthcare organizations, educational institutions, community‑based organizations, nonprofit agencies, aging service providers, and governmental entities.
• Experience managing complex budgets, grants, contracts, and multiple funding sources.
• Experience utilizing performance measures, quality improvement methodologies, and data analytics to improve program effectiveness and operational performance.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams within a large public health, healthcare, governmental, or human services organization.
• Experience developing strategic plans, organizational priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Preference given to eligible veteran applicants who meet the qualifications.

Working Conditions

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.