PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
About Us: The Division of Healthy Start Systems (HSS), under the Child, Adolescent, and Family Health Bureau (CAFH) at the Boston Public Health Commission, has advanced maternal and infant health equity for Boston families for over 30 years. The mission of the Division is to promote infant, maternal, paternal, and family health with a focus on reducing health inequities; this mission is catalyzed through wraparound programs and services delivered by a multidisciplinary team of public health advocates (community health workers), public health nurses, and social workers whom support the needs of birthing families clients through care coordination, connection to resources, health education, and advocacy. The programs under HSS are the: Boston Healthy Start Initiative, Early Childhood Mental Health, Healthy Baby/Healthy Child, Healthy Start in Housing, Welcome Family, Shirley's Food Pantry, Father Friendly, Community Perinatal Initiative (COPHI), and the Fetal Infant Mortality Review pilot (FIMR).
The Role: The Division is seeking a strategic and innovative public health leader to help lead our father engagement efforts. Reporting to the Division Director of Healthy Start Systems, the Senior Program Manager for Father Engagement will work in partnership with CAFH leadership to lead the strategic vision and implementation of father engagement activities for the Boston Public Health Commission, including oversight of the Father Friendly Initiative (FFI) program. In support of FFI, the Senior Program Manager will supervise case managers and other staff supporting father engagement. Lastly, this position will work to make Boston a national model for father engagement by leading efforts to build the capacity of internal and external stakeholders to intentionally engage fathers.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Supervision of Case Management Services
- Oversee implementation and growth of the Father Friendly Initiative (FFI).
- Supervise the Father Friendly case manager, casual employees, and other staff as required
- Promote strengths-based approaches to father engagement.
Strategic Planning
- Support the development and execution of a citywide vision for making Boston a Father Friendly city.
- Represent BPHC in community meetings and public forums.
- Use data to inform strategy and continuous improvement.
- Work to help BPHC become an antiracist organization.
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
- Build capacity across Healthy Start Systems programs related to father engagement, referrals, and integration into services.
- Develop and strengthen referral pathways to better serve fathers and families.
- Provide training and technical assistance on best practices in father engagement.
- Cultivate partnerships with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and stakeholders.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; Master’s preferred.
- 5–7+ years of leadership experience in public health, social services, or community engagement.
- Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.
- Experience building partnerships and influencing systems change.
- Experience managing projects with flexible timelines and iterative deliverables.
- Experience supervising and managing staff
- Self-directed with ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously, including time-sensitive requests.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse communities and partners.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and comfort with virtual platforms (e.g., Teams, Zoom).
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
- Demonstrated commitment to health equity and racial justice.
Preferred:
- Bilingual/Bicultural
- Experience working with fathers and families.
- Knowledge of Boston communities and systems.
- Lived experience as a father or father figure
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; Master's preferred.
- 5-7+ years of leadership experience in public health, social services, or community engagement.
- Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.
- Experience building partnerships and influencing systems change.
- Experience managing projects with flexible timelines and iterative deliverables.
- Experience supervising and managing staff.
- Self-directed with ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort with virtual platforms.
- Knowledge or willingness to learn about public health, racism, and health equity.
- Demonstrated commitment to health equity and racial justice.
- Bilingual/Bicultural (Preferred)
- Experience working with fathers and families (Preferred)
- Knowledge of Boston communities and systems (Preferred)
- Lived experience as a father or father figure (Preferred)
What We Do
Boston Public Health Commission is Boston’s health department, working in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. It offers over 40 programs and services including family and child health, recovery services, and emergency shelter.
