Dir, Mental & Relational Health

Director, Mental & Relational Health

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP :

Sr Director, Healthy Mental Development

BASIC FUNCTIONS :

Direct national programs designed to support children and youth with mental, emotional, and behavioral needs and support implementation of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) healthy mental development portfolio.

Guide strategy development, securing of funds, and implementation and evaluation of assigned initiatives, including oversight of assigned AAP committees, councils and sections related to mental health.

Oversee assigned budgets, staff, subcontractors, and consultants, and facilitate collaboration across AAP departments and external partners to ensure alignment of programs.

Represent the AAP in a liaison capacity with external organizations and federal agencies. Promote healthy mental development in all aspects of program work and across the AAP.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Direct the operations and functions of assigned programs and constituent committees, sections, and councils, including budgeting, strategic planning, program development, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Provide direction to projects and programs to implement AAP mental health recommendations on enhancing mental health care in the medical home based on strategic planning and priorities of the AAP.
• Lead partnerships across the AAP related to mental health and healthy mental development.
• Work to create alignment and consistency with other related efforts across the AAP, including trauma and resilience initiatives.
• Lead partnerships and collaborations with national organizations, medical specialty societies, federal agencies, and foundations on activities related to healthy mental development, mental health, and related topics.

Utilize AAP policies and procedures for approval and implementation of programs.

• Represent the AAP on national advisory committees.
• Provide direction for activities of constituent committees, sections, and councils, including policy development, communications (e.

g., newsletter, e-bulletins, website), and educational program planning and execution.

• Direct the identification and / or development of publications, materials, tools and resources for use in clinical practices and at the systems and training level.
• Secure funding for initiatives, including developing grant applications, contracts, and proposals in collaboration with appropriate committees, councils, sections where appropriate.
• Develop and oversee management of grant and assigned AAP budgets and assist with the preparation of other budgets as requested.
• Supervise and mentor assigned staff. Encourage a work environment that promotes inclusion and belonging of all staff. Support ongoing staff development, help set objectives, evaluate performance, and promote and enhance staff capacity in skills necessary to achieve goals.

Ensure staff operate in a fiscally prudent manner, maintain confidentiality, operate with the highest ethical standards, and provide excellent service to members and volunteers.

Oversee the work of program consultants and subcontractors, facilitating collaboration among partners and ensuring interconnectivity among programs where appropriate.

Ensure all subcontractors and consultants have met the requirements of their deliverables.

Represent the AAP in a liaison capacity to other medical / child advocacy organizations, and through child health and coalitions.

Coordinate healthy mental development activities with medical specialty societies and child health coalitions.

• Provide direction and guidance to pediatricians, other health care professionals, and other stakeholders on healthy mental development and related topics and initiatives.
• Work closely with the Director, Child Welfare, Trauma, and Resilience Initiatives and Sr Director, Healthy Mental Development to ensure alignment of activities and collaboration where appropriate.
• Collaborate across the AAP for alignment and synergy of related efforts and activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION :

Bachelor’s degree in public health, health care administration, social work, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE :

At least six years’ experience managing and leading public health programs, including planning and administration; technical writing and / or editing;

writing grant applications; managing budgets, and supervising staff. Experience working in a medical association and on suicide prevention and pediatric healthy mental development strongly preferred.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS :

Excellent organizational, verbal / written communication, interpersonal, diplomacy, critical thinking, negotiation, project management, budget oversight, grant management, and leadership skills required.

Must be able to handle a varied and heavy workload, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, take initiative to advance a large portfolio of work, lead teams, facilitate and coordinate efforts among partner organizations, collaborate effectively with various internal and external constituents, and promote and maintain a positive and cooperative team-orientated work environment with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Strong technical acumen essential with proficiency in MS Office and the ability to learn and apply new technologies to advance work initiatives;

experience with virtual meeting platforms (e.g., WebEx, Teams), document collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint), and budgeting software (e.

g., Acumatica) preferred. Some travel (when appropriate) and evening / weekend work required, as well as the ability to be flexible with work schedule to accommodate physicians’ availability.

Hybrid work environment of 40% of work time in the office per month.

To learn more about the organization, see a full job description, and / or apply for the position, please visit https : / / www.aap.org / employment.

The AAP offers an excellent work environment, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package. As a reaffirmation to our employee-focused culture, since 2005 the AAP has been named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Chicagoland area.

Additionally, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Individuals with Disabilities, and Veterans that values the strength diversity brings to our workplace.

Reasonable Accommodation : Individuals with a disability in need of a reasonable accommodation regarding the job application process may call 630-626-6297.

Please note, only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will receive a response.