Offer summary

Qualifications:

Doctorate in Behavioral Health, Public Health, Epidemiology, or related field., At least 10 years of professional research experience, including 7+ years leading complex research projects., Minimum of 5 years experience in federal contracting or grants., Strong research skills with expertise in quantitative analysis, data visualization, and GIS technology..

Key responsibilities:

Lead and manage research and evaluation activities for the SAMHSA BHSIS program.

Serve as the primary liaison with SAMHSA stakeholders on evaluation and research matters.

Oversee project planning, execution, and quality assurance to meet deliverables and timelines.

Job description

Description

Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG), a leading management consulting firm, is seeking a strategic and experienced Senior Research Program Director for an upcoming opportunity to lead and manage the overall scientific and research direction for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Services Information System (BHSIS) contract.

This role blends project leadership, program evaluation design and implementation, and quantitative and qualitative analyses to ensure that data collection and reporting about behavioral health service delivery and programs occurs uniformly and in alignment with SAMHSA’s objectives.

MSG specializes in delivering innovative solutions in program management, training and technical assistance, research and evaluation, marketing and communications, and IT and digital services to a range of federal clients, including extensive experience with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education. Join MSG and be part of a collaborative, growth-oriented firm that values excellence and impact.

Location: Remote

Key Responsibilities:

Program Leadership and Government Relations:

Serve as the primary point of contact to SAMHSA stakeholders on all aspects of program evaluation and research activities; backup the Project Director as needed.

Establish and maintain effective communications with government stakeholders, act as a thought partner and trusted advisor to the Project Director and client about the design, implementation, and execution of program evaluations and research, resolving issues as they arise and adapting resources, timelines, and mitigation strategies as needed.

In collaboration with the Project Director, provide leadership for cross-functional teams supporting data collection, IT, quality assurance, research, evaluation, reporting, dissemination, and technical assistance support.

Project and Task Oversight:

Coordinate the planning, execution, and close-out of BHSIS program evaluation and reporting tasks.

Collaborate with Project Managers and Task Leads to define and track work requirements, identify and allocate staff and resources, and monitor quality.

Ensure all deliverables meet quality, timeline, and cost standards while addressing the programmatic and administrative goals of the agency.

Monitor project risks and develop mitigation strategies in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

Research and Program Evaluation:

Lead the completion of all deliverables related to research and program evaluation, including managing the development of OMB packages; authoring reports, materials for the public, and for publication; ensuring compliance with PII and other federal confidentiality requirements; directing instrument development; presenting findings; conducting and directing data analyses; and creating and implementing research and program evaluation designs.
Direct, supervise, oversee, and/or collaborate with a team of research, IT, technical assistance, and other staff to complete BHSIS tasks and deliverables.
Provide recommendations to the Project Director and client on process improvements, research projects, and innovations.

Required Qualifications:

Doctorate degree in Behavioral Health, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field.

Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including:

7+ years as a Principal Investigator, Research Lead, or other research program leadership role directing a complex, multi-year research or evaluation project.
5+ years in a federal contracting or grant environment.

Experience supporting SAMHSA or working with national behavioral health datasets (N-SUMHSS, NSDUH, TEDS, MH-CLD, URS, BRFSS, YRBSS), or the Treatment Locator.

Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong research skills including demonstrated expertise with quantitative analyses using R or other statistical software, data visualization tools, and GIS technology/software.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience overseeing large federal efforts, including responding to ad-hoc (and sometimes quick turnaround) client requests.
Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams in support of complex technical or research contracts with adherence to a quality assurance plan and deliverable schedule.

Experience helping government clients and the public make more and/or better use of online data.
Peer-reviewed author with publications/citations related to behavioral health, systems of care, health policy, or a related field.

Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-visibility federal program that supports SAMHSA’s mission to advance the behavioral health of the nation. You will guide a team delivering critical data collection and reporting activities, while innovating and optimizing programs that support communities, families, and individuals.

Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and competitive selection process. 

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