What are the responsibilities and job description for the The Director of Overdose & Infectious Disease position at The Centers?
Director of Overdose & Infectious Disease
About The Centers
At The Centers, we believe in healing, teaching, and inspiring. We're more than a healthcare provider—we're a comprehensive social service and healthcare organization that served over 20,000 individuals across Greater Cleveland in 2025.
Operating across 5 Health Center locations, we're on a mission to provide individuals and families the opportunity to reach their full potential through integrated care that treats the whole person.
Our vision is simple yet powerful: Communities are healthier and prosperous.
We integrate behavioral health, primary care, early learning support, and workforce development because we know that true healing happens when we address physical, mental, and behavioral health concerns together.
The Opportunity
The Director of Overdose & Infectious Disease is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization's harm reduction program. This role encompasses administrative oversight of the opioid harm reduction initiative, coordination across various departments to meet project objectives, and facilitation of service integration among agency programs and community providers. The Director will contribute to policy development and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards while assuming both clinical and supervisory responsibilities for the program.
What You'll Do
Program Leadership & Coordination
Required Qualifications
Clinical Acumen: Strong knowledge of mental illness and substance use disorders; effective program management and clinical intervention skills
Situational Leader: Ability to adjust leadership style to meet the readiness level of each team member; enables and empowers team members to develop their competency and commitment in completing goals and tasks; creates an environment of trust and mutual respect and sets an example for other leaders in the organization
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication ability, effectively conveying complex clinical information to diverse audiences
Financial Acumen: Competence in budget development and management; ability to interpret financial reports
Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving skills; adept at using data to inform decision-making
Strategic Thinking: Ability to set priorities, anticipate challenges, and align plans with organizational goals
Independent Judgment: Confident in making decisions based on operational goals and key performance indicators
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The role encompasses a hybrid work environment that includes a combination of office-based and community-focused activities. In the office, employees will work in a professional setting that will require to sit for extended periods, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms.
This role also spends 30-40% of their time outside the office, engaging with the community and traveling for business-related activities. This may involve attending meetings, industry conferences, workshops, or community events. The role requires a presence in diverse environments, including small community settings. Travel and work outside of normal hours may be required for meetings, presentations, training, and other events.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
If you're looking for more than just a job—if you want to be part of a team that's healing, teaching, and inspiring our community—we want to hear from you.
Join us in building healthier, more prosperous communities. Join us at The Centers.
The Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About The Centers
At The Centers, we believe in healing, teaching, and inspiring. We're more than a healthcare provider—we're a comprehensive social service and healthcare organization that served over 20,000 individuals across Greater Cleveland in 2025.
Operating across 5 Health Center locations, we're on a mission to provide individuals and families the opportunity to reach their full potential through integrated care that treats the whole person.
Our vision is simple yet powerful: Communities are healthier and prosperous.
We integrate behavioral health, primary care, early learning support, and workforce development because we know that true healing happens when we address physical, mental, and behavioral health concerns together.
The Opportunity
The Director of Overdose & Infectious Disease is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization's harm reduction program. This role encompasses administrative oversight of the opioid harm reduction initiative, coordination across various departments to meet project objectives, and facilitation of service integration among agency programs and community providers. The Director will contribute to policy development and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards while assuming both clinical and supervisory responsibilities for the program.
What You'll Do
Program Leadership & Coordination
- Coordinate with relevant constituencies at The Centers, including Syringe Exchange Program leaders, Substance Use Disorder teams, Medication Assisted Treatment teams, HIV services, and Primary Care to enhance the impact of harm reduction services
- Review, develop, and implement harm reduction best practices, including Linkage to Care Services
- Assess and analyze community data to inform and drive program strategies
- Build and maintain an integrated continuum of care across all service offerings
- Employ quality and process improvement methodologies to enhance client services and operational workflows
- Provide clinical supervision to Peer Support Specialists and Substance Use Service teams
- Review and approve care plans and service plans to ensure compliance with licensure requirements and support effective billing practices
- Monitor client satisfaction through ongoing feedback and performance assessments
- Ensure all documentation adheres to Medicaid, HRSA, and organizational standards for billing and clinical integrity
- Develop and enforce compliance plans and procedures across all service locations
- Partner with key stakeholders to guarantee compliance with regulatory, licensing, and funding agencies, including SAMHSA, OhioMAS, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), accreditation authorities, and the ADAMHA Board
- Collaborate with senior leadership and Quality and Compliance teams to design performance measures, prepare for audits, and implement corrective actions as necessary
- Lead recruitment, recognition, and retention strategies to foster a motivated and diverse workforce
- Cultivate a communication system that ensures staff receive timely information to achieve operational objectives
- Maintain an open-door policy, providing regular feedback and professional development opportunities
- Provide oversight to Overdose & Infectious Disease Prevention team
- Lead the development of a sustainability plan to continue opioid harm reduction services post-SAMHSA grant funding
- Actively represent the organization in community meetings, trainings, and collaborations to promote a positive organizational image
- Travel within the community is expected to comprise approximately 30-40% of this role
- Maintain and manage the system database, including generating standard and ad hoc reports
- Stay current with developments in the field by engaging in professional literature, conferences, and seminars
- Assume additional responsibilities and special projects as required
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field
- A minimum of three years of relevant experience in a non-profit, health-related organization, including a senior management role
- Active Ohio independent license (LISW-S, LPCC-S, IMFT)
- At least three years of successful experience managing both mental health and chemical health services
- Commitment to fostering belonging and creating an inclusive work and learning environment
- Experience in community leadership for chemical and mental health services
- Dual licensure in mental health and addictions is strongly desired
Clinical Acumen: Strong knowledge of mental illness and substance use disorders; effective program management and clinical intervention skills
Situational Leader: Ability to adjust leadership style to meet the readiness level of each team member; enables and empowers team members to develop their competency and commitment in completing goals and tasks; creates an environment of trust and mutual respect and sets an example for other leaders in the organization
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication ability, effectively conveying complex clinical information to diverse audiences
Financial Acumen: Competence in budget development and management; ability to interpret financial reports
Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving skills; adept at using data to inform decision-making
Strategic Thinking: Ability to set priorities, anticipate challenges, and align plans with organizational goals
Independent Judgment: Confident in making decisions based on operational goals and key performance indicators
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The role encompasses a hybrid work environment that includes a combination of office-based and community-focused activities. In the office, employees will work in a professional setting that will require to sit for extended periods, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms.
This role also spends 30-40% of their time outside the office, engaging with the community and traveling for business-related activities. This may involve attending meetings, industry conferences, workshops, or community events. The role requires a presence in diverse environments, including small community settings. Travel and work outside of normal hours may be required for meetings, presentations, training, and other events.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- Choice of medical and dental plans
- Vision coverage
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care
- Calm Subscription
- Short and Long-term Disability
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with 5% employer contribution (begins first of month following nine months of service)
- 9 paid holidays including New Year's Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
- 1 floating holiday of your choice annually
- Executive coaching to support your leadership growth
- Employee Assistance Program
If you're looking for more than just a job—if you want to be part of a team that's healing, teaching, and inspiring our community—we want to hear from you.
Join us in building healthier, more prosperous communities. Join us at The Centers.
The Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.