Director of the Center for Optimizing Maternal Outcomes

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Director of the Center for Optimizing Maternal Outcomes

The Director of the Center for Optimizing Maternal Outcomes serves as a senior leader within MSPHI, overseeing the organization's maternal and child health initiatives. This role leads grant-funded programs, projects, and activities aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes across Mississippi—a state facing some of the most persistent challenges in this critical area, including high rates of infant mortality, preterm births, and maternal health disparities.

The Director employs a data-driven, strategic approach to build Center capacity, address root causes of health inequities, and drive systemic change. By fostering authentic, enduring partnerships with funders, state and federal agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations, the Director advances equitable, sustainable improvements for women, mothers, babies, and families statewide.

JOB DUTIES

• Provide visionary leadership for the Center, aligning all activities with MSPHI’s strategic plan(s) and mission to enhance public health through evidence-based action and collaboration.

• Serve as MSPHI’s primary subject matter expert in maternal and child health, offering expert guidance to the executive leadership team and delivering actionable, evidence-based insights to internal and external stakeholders.

• Cultivate and maintain high-level strategic partnerships with key agencies, organizations, and community stakeholders to deepen understanding of external factors influencing maternal and infant health.

• Facilitate cross-agency collaboration, create synergies, align funding streams, and maximize collective impact on policies, systems, and environments that improve health status.

• Proactively identify and pursue diverse funding opportunities (state, federal, foundation) to secure resources and ensure long-term Center sustainability.

• Oversee large-scale grant-funded programs and fiscal resource allocation, coordinating multiple concurrent activities with significant discretion in alignment with organizational priorities.

• Supervise and develop multidisciplinary teams, including Program Managers, Project Specialists, data/evaluation staff, contractors, and consultants, while promoting team building, professional growth, and adherence to MSPHI policies.

• Utilize advanced data analysis to inform decision-making, program planning, management, evaluation, needs assessment, budgeting, and reporting to funders, policymakers, and partners.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree (or higher) in public health, health administration, nursing, social sciences, or a closely related field; advanced clinical degrees (e.g., NP, MD) considered.

• Minimum 10 years of progressive supervisory and organizational management experience, including direct supervision of professional staff and managers.

• Demonstrated mastery in maternal and child health or related public health domains, with proven impact on health systems, policies, environments, and organizational behavior.

• Extensive experience in grant/program management, successful proposal development, securing and aligning multi-source funding, and partnership/collaboration across agencies and sectors.

• Strong track record of data-driven decision-making, stakeholder relationship building (community, regional, state levels), and addressing social determinants of health, health inequities, and disparities—particularly in Mississippi or similar contexts.

• Exceptional leadership, communication (written and verbal), problem-solving, consensus-building, multitasking, project management, delegation, time management, and emotional intelligence skills.

• Commitment to MSPHI’s mission, values, and collaborative culture.

Preferred

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field.

• Formal supervisory training and ongoing professional development in leadership.

• Experience in strategic planning, organizational goal setting, and influencing policy/systems change at scale.

Compensation Salary is competitive and commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications. MSPHI offers a comprehensive benefits package.

This is a rare opportunity to lead transformative work in one of Mississippi’s most urgent public health priorities—improving outcomes for mothers and babies through innovation, partnership, and evidence-based impact.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

MSPHI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Application closing date: March 26, 2026

MSPHI is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. MSPHI prohibits unlawful discrimination and is committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Describe your experience writing grants and proposals.
• Have you managed grant funding?
• Describe your public health work experience.

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• Management: 10 years (Required)

Location:

• Madison, MS 39110 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $100,000