What are the responsibilities and job description for the Managing Consultant, Substance Use Abatement position at BME Strategies?
Founded in 2004, BME Strategies is a Massachusetts-based consulting firm specializing in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs for local, regional, and state government partners. Our work supports evidence-based, community-driven solutions that strengthen public health systems and advance equity across the communities we serve.
Position Overview
As part of the BME Strategies Management Team, the Managing Consultant, Substance Use Abatement (SUA) plays a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction in substance use prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction. This position ensures that BME Strategies’ work supports government and community partners in building equitable, coordinated systems of care that reduce overdose deaths, promote recovery, and strengthen local and regional public health capacity, while actively contributing to the firm’s business development and growth strategy.
Managing Consultants serve as Practice Leads. The SUA Practice Lead will guide strategy, oversee client engagements, and lead high-quality technical assistance and program implementation projects related to substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery systems. They will also play a key role in identifying new opportunities within Massachusetts and targeted expansion states, cultivating client and partner relationships, and developing high-quality proposals that expand BME’s impact and reach.
Working collaboratively with municipal and state partners, the Substance Use Abatement Practice Lead will design and implement data-driven, sustainable approaches that align with public health best practices, state and federal funding priorities, and health equity principles.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Required:
Expected range is $95,000 to $120,000/annually - with annual bonus opportunity, contingent on performance and the achievement of both individual and firm-wide business development goals.
Comprehensive Benefits Package, Including
Please note that BME Strategies is unable to sponsor work-related visas.
We are made up of individuals with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and many other parts of one’s identity. These varied points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.
BME Strategies is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.
Position Overview
As part of the BME Strategies Management Team, the Managing Consultant, Substance Use Abatement (SUA) plays a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction in substance use prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction. This position ensures that BME Strategies’ work supports government and community partners in building equitable, coordinated systems of care that reduce overdose deaths, promote recovery, and strengthen local and regional public health capacity, while actively contributing to the firm’s business development and growth strategy.
Managing Consultants serve as Practice Leads. The SUA Practice Lead will guide strategy, oversee client engagements, and lead high-quality technical assistance and program implementation projects related to substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery systems. They will also play a key role in identifying new opportunities within Massachusetts and targeted expansion states, cultivating client and partner relationships, and developing high-quality proposals that expand BME’s impact and reach.
Working collaboratively with municipal and state partners, the Substance Use Abatement Practice Lead will design and implement data-driven, sustainable approaches that align with public health best practices, state and federal funding priorities, and health equity principles.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a strategic vision for the SUA practice area, ensuring alignment with state and local public health goals, evidence-based practice, and harm reduction frameworks.
- Monitor emerging trends, policies, and best practices in substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery to inform BME’s strategy and client support.
- Forecast resource needs and staffing to support current and future projects across the SUA portfolio.
- Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact and success of the firm’s SUA work and its contribution to firm-wide goals.
- Provide expertise across BME Strategies’ practice areas to integrate substance use prevention and recovery strategies into broader public health and behavioral health initiatives.
- Coordinate with other BME Practice Leads to ensure systems improvement and knowledge sharing is prioritized consistently across the organization.
- Contribute to firm-wide learning through case studies, best-practice documentation, and internal staff development.
- Identify and cultivate opportunities for growth within the SUA practice area, expanding BME’s portfolio of prevention, treatment, and recovery-focused public health projects across all BME targeted states.
- Lead the capture and onboarding of new SUA clients and projects.
- Lead and contribute to proposal development for Substance Use Abatement contracts, grants, and RFPs, ensuring submissions highlight BME’s expertise in SUA and public health capacity building.
- Collaborate with firm leadership to set and achieve annual revenue targets for the SUA practice.
- Build BME Strategies’ presence and thought leadership through active participation in professional networks, conferences, and coalitions focused on behavioral health and substance use prevention.
- Design and scope SUA projects that are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and responsive to the needs of clients and communities.
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality consulting engagements related to substance use prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support systems.
- Provide strategic and technical guidance to state and local agencies on issues such as system planning, data-informed decision-making, workforce capacity, and cross-sector collaboration.
- Support public health departments and municipalities in developing and implementing community-level plans to address substance use and overdose prevention.
- Ensure project contracts remain accurate, compliant, and current, with a focus on quality deliverables and exceptional client service.
- Lead needs assessments, strategic planning processes, and evaluations related to SUA systems and services.
- Provide technical assistance to local health departments, regional coalitions, and community-based organizations on program design, coordination, and quality improvement.
- Support clients in integrating evidence-based prevention and treatment models, including harm reduction approaches and recovery-oriented systems of care.
- Develop frameworks, toolkits, and guidance documents that strengthen local and regional capacity to respond to substance use challenges.
- Facilitate trainings and learning collaboratives focused on cross-sector collaboration, behavioral health integration, and community engagement.
- Integrate equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness into all SUA initiatives, centering populations disproportionately impacted by substance use and overdose.
- Manage and mentor Associate- and Consultant-level staff within the SUA practice area, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Provide coaching and feedback to support staff’s professional growth and technical development.
- Lead performance management and staff development efforts in partnership with the Director of Finance & Operations.
- Cultivate relationships with public health agencies, behavioral health providers, recovery networks, and community coalitions to strengthen collaboration and impact.
Required:
- Master’s degree (MPH, MSW, MPA, or related field) with a focus in public health, behavioral health, substance use, or social work.
- 6–12 years of progressive experience in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment systems, or behavioral health program management.
- 5 years of experience managing client relationships in a consulting, government, or professional services setting.
- 3 years of project leadership experience overseeing complex public health or behavioral health initiatives.
- 3 years of supervisory experience, including mentoring and managing teams.
- Demonstrated success leading substance use systems assessments, strategic planning, or implementation projects with government or municipal clients.
- Expertise in at least two of the following: harm reduction, overdose prevention, behavioral health integration, recovery systems, prevention program design, or substance use data analysis.
- Strong understanding of state and local public health systems, behavioral health frameworks, and relevant federal funding streams (e.g., CDC, SAMHSA, HRSA).
- Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders including public health officials, behavioral health providers, and community members.
- Ability to balance strategic vision with operational implementation and attention to detail.
- Experience managing or evaluating public health or behavioral health programs at the state or local level.
- Knowledge of substance use surveillance and epidemiologic analysis, including use of public health and emergency response data systems.
- Familiarity with emerging drug trends, harm reduction strategies, and behavioral health equity initiatives.
- Experience integrating lived experience and community leadership into program design and evaluation.
- Prior experience securing or managing contracts for substance use abatement or behavioral health initiatives.
- Remote work, with occasional travel to client sites, conferences, or meetings as required.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced consulting environment.
Expected range is $95,000 to $120,000/annually - with annual bonus opportunity, contingent on performance and the achievement of both individual and firm-wide business development goals.
Comprehensive Benefits Package, Including
- 6 weeks total leave, including paid vacation, sick time, personal leave, and floating holidays
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Health FSA and dependent care FSA
- 401(k) with employer match
- Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
- One-time technology stipend
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth
Please note that BME Strategies is unable to sponsor work-related visas.
We are made up of individuals with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and many other parts of one’s identity. These varied points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.
BME Strategies is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.
Salary : $95,000 - $120,000