Managing Director, Center for Gun Violence Research and Education

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) invites nominations and applications for a Managing Director, Center for Gun Violence Research and Education. To heal communities affected by violence, The HAVI fosters hospital and community collaborations to advance equitable, trauma-informed care for violence intervention/prevention programs. Our vision is to build a system of healthcare that mobilizes hospitals and communities to end violence, together.

We are searching for a senior-level, entrepreneurial, and strategic leader to operationalize and oversee the Center for Gun Violence Research and Education. The successful candidate will have demonstrated success in using a racial equity framework to engage with stakeholders, make decisions, build community-based coalitions, and cultivate trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders, nationally and locally.

The Center on Gun Violence Research and Education will be co-lead with Kaiser Permanente. Its focus is to improve community capability to develop, deploy and scale evidence-based community and health care solutions to prevent gun violence, and mitigate the impact of this violence on families and communities. The Center will promote a public health approach to reducing gun violence through public and professional communication campaigns. The center will facilitate collaborative partnerships with academia, governmental organizations, foundations, and private/non-profit organizations. The Center will seek to sponsor research, as well as care innovation and educational initiatives. The work produced by the Center will aim to 1) reduce the incidence and impact of gun violence, including suicide, 2) address the emotional and psychological trauma related to the aftermath of shootings, including the disparate impact that gun violence has in communities of colors, and 3) focus on providing strong leadership and collaboration with other organizations seeking to participate in solutions that will have a real impact. The Center will develop, test, and scale public health and healthcare solutions to addressing gun violence.

ABOUT HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION & THE HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION

To heal communities affected by violence, The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) fosters hospital and community collaborations to advance equitable, trauma-informed care for violence intervention/prevention programs. Our vision is to build a system of healthcare that mobilizes hospitals and communities to end violence, together.

Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) vary in their design and scope. Essential components of HVIPs include a brief intervention to violently injured patients in the emergency department or at the hospital bedside and intensive community-based case management services following discharge. HVIP services are provided by culturally competent Violence Prevention Professionals. HVIPs are rooted in the philosophy that violence is preventable, and that violent injury offers a “teachable moment” and unique opportunity to break cycles of violence. HVIPs embrace a public health approach to violence prevention as they are grounded in data, which indicate that victims of violence are at elevated risk for re-injury and violence perpetration. This model has been the subject of numerous peer-reviewed studies indicating promising impact on injury recidivism, criminal justice contact, and trauma symptoms. HVIPs are now a recommended practice by the federal government.

The network has grown to hundreds of individuals, including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, violence prevention professionals, outreach workers and researchers who are affiliated with 49 member programs in the U.S., Canada, England, and El Salvador. Our goal is to support the growth of HVIPs throughout the United States. The HAVI is structured within 4 divisions: Capacity Building, Organizational Growth and Equity, Policy and Communications, and Communities of Practice.

HVIPs are one of a handful of evidence-informed practices that support cities reduce violence and scale trauma-informed care. The field has largely been fractured, and recent federal, state, and local advocacy efforts have helped encourage collaboration and coordination across various approaches. This shift – from individual programs to integrated strategies – has led to an emergent concept of a community violence intervention ecosystem (CVI ecosystem).

The HAVI is a fiscally sponsored project of Health Resources in Action, Inc. (HRiA). HRiA is a nonprofit public health and medical research funding organization based in Boston, Massachusetts with a mission to help people live healthier lives and build healthier communities through prevention, health promotion, policy, and research. HRiA works with a diverse group of clients across the country to address some of the most critical public health issues using innovative and evidence-based approaches to improve population health. Our clients include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, state and local health departments, hospitals, and private/corporate philanthropic entities.

Since its founding in 1957, HRiA has been at the forefront of public health, leading the way to promote healthier and more vibrant communities. Our work recognizes the impact of social, economic, and racial factors on health outcomes.

To learn more about Health Resources in Action, Inc., please visit: www.hria.org

To learn more about The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, please visit: www.thehavi.org

THE ROLE:  MANAGING DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

We seek a Managing Director who has demonstrated success in using a racial equity framework to engage with stakeholders, make decisions, build community-based coalitions, and cultivate trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders, nationally and locally.

The Center on Gun Violence Research and Education will be co-lead with Kaiser Permanente. Its focus is to improve community capability to develop, deploy and scale evidence-based community and health care solutions to prevent gun violence, and mitigate the impact of this violence on families and communities. The Center will promote a public health approach to reducing gun violence through public and professional communication campaigns. The center will facilitate collaborative partnerships with academia, governmental organizations, foundations, and private/non-profit organizations. The Center will seek to sponsor research, as well as care innovation and educational initiatives. The work produced by the Center will aim to 1) reduce the incidence and impact of gun violence, including suicide, 2) address the emotional and psychological trauma related to the aftermath of shootings, including the disparate impact that gun violence has in communities of colors, and 3) focus on providing strong leadership and collaboration with other organizations seeking to participate in solutions that will have a real impact. The Center will develop, test, and scale public health and healthcare solutions to addressing gun violence.

Additionally, the Center will amplify its impact by providing grant funding to a set of non-profit organizational partners. In addition, the Center may also collaborate with non-governmental organizations, universities, community-based organizations, healthcare organizations and other stakeholders with a shared interest in gun violence prevention research, innovation, education, and community-based solutions to gun violence. The Center will lead efforts in four pillars 1) care delivery innovation, 2) research, 3) education, and 4) community-based solutions. The Center will oversee sub-grant funding and serve as a convenor and thought leader for collaborating organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities

This includes but is not limited to the following:

Management

• Work with the Executive Director to guide the development of the Center including building and refining its scope.
• Lead and manage the Center including staff, hiring, budgets, program planning, implementation, evaluation, and other related responsibilities.
• Help set organizational vision/direction, address challenges, identify and pursue opportunities, make decisions, and develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Oversee budget planning and operations for the Center in coordination with the HAVI’s fiscal sponsor, HRiA.
• Provide guidance to Directors and other senior staff on relevant research in the field and its impact on project development and implementation.
• Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with key national/state partners and leaders including HVIPs, community stakeholders, prospective and current funders, and the HAVI Board (as requested).
• Work as part of senior leadership to manage important internal and external opportunities and challenges.
• Work with HRiA staff to guide and support the Center’s grantmaking process.

Project Work

• Contribute content expertise to projects and teams, as technical advisor, or subject matter expert.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to assess needs, trends in the field and alignment with the HAVI’s broader national strategy.
• Participate in partner organization events on violence prevention/intervention strategies.
• Implement project activities or tasks, as appropriate.

Thought Leadership

• Conduct a landscape analysis for the Center to identify strengths and gaps as they align with our approach.
• Expand the HAVI and HVIP capacity and expertise to deepen connections and alignment to the fields of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) - specifically, racial and health equity.
• Be a trusted, informed source of expertise for HAVI, clients, funders, and the community.
• Submit and/or contribute to publications (e.g., journal manuscripts, practice briefs, etc.) and/or conference abstracts, presentations, and workshops.
• Document and share knowledge and best practices to replicate success.
• Develop and provide content for website.
• Suggest ideas/improvements through participation in teams and committees.

Business Development

• Work with the Executive Director and other senior staff to ensure the longer-term sustainability of the Center, including identifying, pursuing, and securing additional funding.
• Support the Executive Director to identify, assess, and pursue other funding opportunities that enhance or complement the Center and/or the HAVI’s work.
• Support and guide senior and junior staff members’ business development efforts.
• Lead and participate in proposal teams, as appropriate, including writing or contributing to proposals, scopes, and budgets.

Special Requirements

• Graduate level degree in Social Work, Public Health, Public Policy, Medicine and/or related field/equivalent work experience in HVIPs and community violence intervention and prevention.
• Knowledge of the institutions and professional organizations with which the HAVI works, including hospitals, health departments, health funders, criminal justice systems, federal agencies and associations like the American College of Surgeons, the American Public Health Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, etc.
• Proven success leading an organization or program of similar size and complexity with exposure to foundations, while maintaining solid relationships with staff, board, donors, and community.
• A minimum of 10 years of senior level nonprofit organization experience.
• Experience with and commitment to equity, social justice, and trauma-informed approaches.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• A minimum of 10 years of experience as a paid or volunteer leader at a not-for-profit organization.
• Extensive experience in leading the process of ongoing strategic planning.
• Extensive experience in public speaking/public relations.
• Evidence from prior work settings of timely, complete, and transparent communication.
• An ability to acquire new knowledge, understand the core work of the organization and successfully encourage the team in meeting goals.
• Evidence of experience effectively communicating complex and sensitive issues to diverse audiences, orally and in writing.
• Independently assesses priorities, develops detailed plans, monitors progress against deadlines and delivers work products on time across multiple projects and demands.
• Communicates effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with fiscal/budgetary/accounting; reporting, compliance, and accountability; human resources.
• Ability to work remotely.
• Ability to travel nationally (10-25%).
• Ability to supervise others according to Strengths-Based Leadership Theory.
• Ability to work as a part of a team--leading when appropriate and accepting feedback.
• Ability to adapt communication appropriately for purpose and audience.
• Ability to design presentations using professional tools such as PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.
• Demonstrated experience securing funding for projects and initiatives.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of work duties that will be required in this position. It is not intended to limit, or in any way modify, the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct, and contract work of staff under his/her supervision. The use of a particular illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties, not mentioned, that are of a similar level or difficulty.

The Managing Director is an exempt, full-time, fully remote position, and will report to the HAVI’s Executive Director and contribute to the senior leadership teams. The salary range for this role is between $140,000-$150,000, based on skills and experience. This position might require frequent travel to the Center’s headquarters in Washington, DC. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most HRiA staff are currently working remotely as well. Staff must be fully vaccinated to work in HRiA's Boston office as desired and/or to conduct any in-person work activities, unless ineligible due to approved medical or religious exemption. Vaccination status will be verified upon hire.

HRiA offers strong benefits to its employees, including competitive salaries, health insurance, retirement plan, flexible summer hours, vacation starting at 4 weeks, 13 paid holidays, plus office closure time during the last week of December.

TO APPLY

This search is being led by Tamar Datan of the talent strategy firm, NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.

If you would like to submit a nomination for this role, please email Tamar at tamar@npag.com.

Please include in your cover letter experience (paid or unpaid) as it relates to this job description as well as any other relevant or adjacent skill sets. Please note that the interview process will consist of a minimum of two video interviews and the submission of relevant work samples or a written skills-based exercise. If accommodation is required, we welcome any request at any point in the application process.

HRiA is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced staff. The organization encourages multiple perspectives and experiences, supports a multicultural environment, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the populations we work with and the communities where we work. Diversity is a core value of HRiA resulting in culturally competent services, materials, resources, and programs. Our hiring and business practices appreciate the strengths offered through different backgrounds.

HRiA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.