Regional Deputy Director, Overdose Prevention Program

The Regional Deputy Director (RDD) leads strategy and program implementation for an assigned portfolio of states within the Overdose Prevention Program, a global public health initiative. This role adapts overarching program goals to local contexts, spearheads government relations, and is accountable for strategic work plans, budgets, and outcomes across the portfolio.

About the Program

The Overdose Prevention Program partners with U.S. states, Tribal Nations, and Native communities to advance evidence-based strategies that reduce overdose deaths. Through grant funding and tailored technical assistance, the program helps government, institutional, and community partners strengthen policies, implement innovative programs, and mobilize local action to address the evolving overdose crisis. Work spans neighborhood, municipal, county, state, and Tribal levels, supporting sustainable public health solutions responsive to local needs.

Program staff are organized into multidisciplinary regional teams, each managing a portfolio of states or Native communities. These teams collaborate with Operations and subject matter experts in Communications, Program Evaluation & Knowledge Management, and Legal & Policy to deliver coordinated, high-impact support.

Responsibilities

• Collective Planning and State Strategy Development: Lead a regional multidisciplinary team to develop and monitor implementation of a comprehensive state strategy, annual work plan, and budget. Integrate expertise from the team, overdose data, state policy landscapes, community needs, and lessons learned. Collaborate with other regions to align priorities with programmatic goals. Apply an intersectional racial justice framework across all planning and implementation processes.
• Program Management and Leadership: Manage the regional budget, monitor expenditures, and adjust activities as needed. Oversee the design, negotiation, and implementation of sub-grants to governments, providers, coalitions, and community organizations. Develop strategic investment proposals for new partnerships and funding opportunities. Identify and prioritize legal, policy analysis, and litigation opportunities in partnership with the legal/policy team.
• Strategic State and Local Government Engagement and Technical Assistance: Serve as the primary representative and senior point of contact for state and local government partners. Build and maintain trusted relationships with elected officials, policymakers, and agency leadership. Represent the program at stakeholder meetings and deliver presentations to government, provider, and community audiences. Provide technical expertise on overdose prevention interventions, including naloxone distribution, low-barrier treatment, harm reduction services, and recovery supports.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead by modeling Vital Strategies’ core values: respect, inclusive collaboration, adaptability, and continuous learning. Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture rooted in accountability, transparency, and inclusive decision-making. Supervise, mentor, and guide a diverse team of technical professionals to develop and implement strategic work plans.
• Cross-Cutting Collaboration & Coordination: Collaborate with Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative partners on strategic prioritization and joint implementation. Support communications needs and contribute to ad hoc organizational priorities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public health, public policy, nursing, social work, healthcare administration, or a related field required; equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Advanced degree (MPH, MSW, MHA, JD, MD, or equivalent) preferred.
• Deep commitment to racial equity and public health justice, with experience operationalizing these values through program design and technical assistance delivery.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in harm reduction, overdose prevention, and drug policy, developed through direct service and programmatic leadership at the community, local, or regional level.
• Understanding of legislative and regulatory frameworks relevant to harm reduction and public health interventions, including the ability to advise partners on policy implementation.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytic capabilities, including the ability to assess program performance data, identify implementation gaps, and make evidence-informed recommendations.
• Proven ability to manage complex coordination with senior partners, including subgrant oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise teams of professional-level staff, communicate clearly, monitor performance, and inspire engagement.
• Exceptional communication skills, with experience translating technical content into accessible materials for diverse audiences, including policymakers and frontline practitioners.
• Skilled facilitator of multi-stakeholder meetings, trainings, and technical assistance engagements involving high-level government and community-based leaders.
• Ability to work autonomously while contributing to broader team and program strategy; trusted to lead state technical interventions and manage complex projects.
• Ability to build strong, ongoing relationships across diverse partners and communities from different cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational, and social backgrounds.
• Willingness to integrate new information, adapt with agility, facilitate collaboration, clarify roles, and build alignment among stakeholders with differing perspectives.

Benefits

Highly competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Pay

Salary range: $135,000 to $150,000 USD.

This is a full-time position preferably based in the New York City metro area. Other U.S. locations may be considered dependent on the work (e.g., North Carolina, New Jersey, Kentucky, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Nevada, or Washington state).