Statewide Director of Community Services

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) is accepting applications for the Statewide Director of Community Services.  This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the future of community-based behavioral health services across the Commonwealth through the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. As the Statewide Director of Community Services, you will serve as a senior leader within the Mental Health Services (MHS) Division, Central Office, responsible for advancing statewide strategy, policy development, operational excellence, and system innovation for programs supporting individuals with serious mental illness and complex behavioral health needs. In this high-profile role, you will collaborate with MHS senior leadership, the Central Office executive team, Area offices, providers, and cross-agency stakeholders to strengthen service delivery, improve outcomes, and promote equitable, recovery-oriented care across Massachusetts.

This position is ideal for an experienced behavioral health or human services leader who thrives in complex systems, enjoys building collaborative partnerships, and is passionate about improving public sector mental health services. You will oversee critical statewide functions including licensing, housing initiatives, young adult transitional services, quality improvement efforts, and interagency coordination, while helping guide future service models and strategic priorities. The role also offers the opportunity to influence statewide policy, mentor high-performing teams, and champion culturally responsive and equitable behavioral health services that positively impact communities across Massachusetts.

Travel to other DMH locations is required.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Lead the statewide planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of community behavioral health services, ensuring effective, compliant, and accountable service delivery systems aligned with agency priorities and strategic goals.

   

• Direct policy development, program design, operational strategy, and performance management initiatives to improve service quality, outcomes, accountability, and system-wide effectiveness for individuals with serious mental illness and complex behavioral health needs.

   

• Provide executive-level support and strategic guidance to senior leadership on policy decisions, procurement planning, system redesign efforts, and statewide community services initiatives.

   

• Oversee and manage core statewide program areas including Licensing, Housing, and Young Adult Transitional Services, while establishing performance expectations, promoting staff development, and ensuring operational excellence.

   

• Lead statewide quality improvement and service enhancement initiatives by identifying system gaps, implementing corrective strategies, analyzing outcomes, and supporting continuous operational improvement efforts.

   

• Direct licensing, compliance, investigation, and reporting functions for community residential and crisis stabilization programs, ensuring adherence to regulatory, legal, and quality standards.

   

• Oversee statewide housing and fiscal operations, including monitoring housing support programs, evaluating system-wide impact, and supporting fiscally responsible service delivery strategies within resource-constrained environments.

   

• Guide statewide young adult and transition-age youth initiatives through policy development, service design, cross-system collaboration, and implementation of evidence-based behavioral health supports that promote successful transitions into adulthood.

   

• Collaborate extensivel