Senior Director of Health and Public Safety Initiatives

Overview

Job Title: Senior Director of Health and Public Safety Initiatives

Reports To: Senior Vice President of Public Safety Innovation and Research

Position Summary: The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (Meadows Institute) seeks a strategic and mission-driven professional to serve as Senior Director of Health and Public Safety Initiatives. This individual will support the Senior Vice President of Public Safety Innovation and Research and help lead the implementation of a multi-year, statewide initiative to enhance community-based behavioral health crisis response at the intersection of public safety, behavioral health, and 911 systems.

This Senior Director will serve as a daily central point for ensuring cross-team coordination, internal accountability, and momentum across multiple work streams. The Senior Director will help others stay on track by supporting staff in removing barriers and promoting consistent follow-through across teams. Additionally, the Senior Director will manage complex publicprivate partnerships, coordinate cross-sector stakeholder engagement, oversee project execution in collaboration with senior leaders and local teams, and assist in guiding measurable systems transformation.

While this role primarily focuses on a major multi-year initiative currently in its early stages, the Senior Director may also support other public safety or behavioral health efforts. The preferred work location for this position is in Texas. This position may not be filled or performed in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont, Montana, or Washington at this time. Up to 25% statewide travel may be required.

Some duties may require access to reliable personal transportation.

• Support the launch and coordination of a statewide behavioral health-public safety transformation initiative across multiple Texas communities.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable implementation plans with clear milestones, responsibilities, and performance measures.
• Own day-to-day tracking and follow-up across teams to ensure timelines and milestones are met. Proactively check in with staff and partners to surface delays or gaps, and coordinate solutions to keep implementation on pace.
• Provide strategic and day-to-day support to regional teams and external partners, including local governments and behavioral health providers.
• Help design and manage technical assistance to pilot sites, development of implementation plans, and quality assurance support.
• Develop high-quality written products, including progress reports, public-facing materials, and grant deliverables.
• Support or oversee the development of written products such as progress trackers, dashboards, meeting notes, and summaries that ensure alignment and clarity across partners.
• Collaborate with Institute leadership to support fundraising and sustainability planning.
• Work with policy experts to support regulatory or administrative changes that improve behavioral health emergency response.
• Facilitate a culture of internal coordination and mutual accountability, including by helping to lead team check-ins, driving project tracking platforms (e.g., ), and maintaining clear escalation protocols for delays or obstacles.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public health, public administration, or a related field.
• At least eight years of experience in project management, systems implementation, government affairs, or nonprofit leadership roles, preferably in health or public safety sectors.
• Exceptional organizational skills and a natural orientation toward follow-through, structure, and team accountability. Must enjoy the work of keeping others on track.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively in writing and in person.
• Proven track record of cross-sector collaboration, particularly with government entities or policy-driven initiatives.
• Commitment to the mission, goals, programs, and future aspirations of the organization.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., MA, MPA, MPH, MSW, JD).
• Experience working on behavioral health crisis response,…