Job Title: Senior Director for Children, Youth, and Families

Reports To: Vice President of Children, Youth, and Families

Position Summary: The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (Meadows Institute) seeks a collaborative and strategic professional to serve as Senior Director for Children, Youth, and Families (Senior Director). The Senior Director will be expected to work collaboratively with staff, contractors, states, partner agencies, and stakeholders to promote the Meadows Institute’s vision. This position is ideal for someone skilled in overseeing the development and implementation of projects and providing leadership, and technical assistance to leadership on best practices. The Senior Director will work closely with the broader Children, Youth, and Families team to develop and implement the Meadows Institute’s strategy to support mental health access across settings. The Senior Director will be expected to work collaboratively with other Meadows Institute teams, states, counties, health systems, and other stakeholders to build access and capacity for mental health. The preferred work location for this position is in TX. This position may not be filled or performed in California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Washington at this time. Statewide travel (up to 25%) may be required. Some duties may require access to reliable personal transportation.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Children, Youth, and Families Team to expand the Meadows Institute’s framework across Texas and nationally.
• In collaboration with the team, develop and implement a body of mental health work aimed at deepening the Institute’s impact at the state and local levels through collaborative partnerships with states, health systems, school districts, institutions of higher education, and local and regional community-based providers and nonprofits.
• Provide direct supervision of several staff, under the direction of a Vice President.
• Conduct outreach and build and steward relationships with various stakeholders in Texas and nationally to build capacity for mental health support (K-12, high education, children’s specialty care) and resources.
• Oversee current team projects while developing longer-term project strategies.
• Identifying project challenges and creating innovative solutions to address those challenges.
• As a subject matter and implementation specialist for evidence-based mental health programs, work directly with partners to provide technical assistance and coaching.
• Represent the Meadows Institute in meetings with donors, lead or assist with grant proposals, including completing proposal applications, conducting relevant research, and tracking and reporting on submissions.
• Participate in public speaking engagements and presentations as a representative of the Meadows Institute.
• Bring mental health and educational expertise to projects to ensure that projects reflect the Meadows Institute’s mission.
• Liaise with other staff on project efforts across the Meadows Institute.
• Project documentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or other related fields.
• A minimum of 10 years of directly related professional experience in a related role.
• Content expertise in school mental health programs and practices, such as school counseling, social-emotional learning, school discipline and multi-tiered systems of support, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in fundamentals of strategic and organizational planning and project management, as would be necessary to provide consultation and support internally and with external partners, as required.
• Strong leadership skills, with the foresight and ability to design and implement new projects.
• Interest and commitment to staying up-to-date on current school mental health best practices and research literature that may be helpful in project work with education partners.
• Passion for improving the mental health of children, youth, and families.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues. This includes overcoming geographic and other potential communication barriers and contributing to the team’s work.
• Ability to develop solid working relationships with colleagues across the Institute and represent the Institute externally.
• Excellent organizational skills, including managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Capacity to think strategically and critically and develop proactive solutions to challenges.
• Flexibility in working with new issues, topics, and approaches.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Licensure/certification as a professional educator, education leader, or mental health professional.
• Master’s degree in Education, Public Policy, Psychology, Social Work, Government, or another related field.
• Experience in school mental health program leadership.
• Experience in leadership and program implementation.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The preferred work location for this position is in Texas. This position may not be filled or performed in California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Washington at this time. Relocation assistance not available. Successful candidates must show proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

To Apply: Click Here to Apply

The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is a data-driven, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that supports the implementation of policies and programs that help Texans obtain effective, efficient mental health care when and where they need it. The Meadows Institute’s vision is for Texas to be the national leader in treating all people with mental health needs.

The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and provides full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, age, citizen status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.