Deputy Director of Strategy (Project Director II)

Company Description

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.

Job Description

The Action Alliance within EDC's Be Well program area is seeking a part-time Deputy Director of Strategy to provide senior-level leadership and strategic integration across its national suicide prevention portfolio. This position is anticipated to work 20 hours per week. 

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is the nation’s public-private partnership advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Housed at Education Development Center (EDC), the Action Alliance convenes leaders across sectors to drive coordinated, evidence-based, and measurable action to reduce suicide and strengthen systems of care nationwide.

Reporting to the Secretariat Director, this role serves as a senior strategic advisor focused on cross-initiative alignment, long-term positioning of the Action Alliance, and implementation of its priority initiatives and stewardship of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to maximize national impact.

The Deputy Director works closely with and supports alignment across work led by the:

• Project Director for Strategic Priorities
• Project Director for Suicide Care Policy and Health System Transformation

The Deputy Director of Strategy concentrates on programmatic strategy, subject matter expertise, and executive-level partner engagement related to Action Alliance governance and initiatives.

You will:

• Provide strategic guidance to ensure alignment across Action Alliance initiatives with the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
• Support integration of policy, health system transformation, research, crisis care, communications, and data initiatives into a cohesive and impactful portfolio of work.
• Advise the Secretariat Director on strategic opportunities and implementation strategies to maximize national impact.
• Lead Action Alliance Strategic Plan development efforts with support from colleagues on the Secretariat leadership team.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in suicide prevention and share insights with leadership and Secretariat team and partners.
• Provide strategic support and supervision to the Project Director of Suicide Care Policy and Health System Transformation, the Project Director of Strategic Priorities, and Senior Advisor for Special Projects.
• Support Directors in setting priorities, navigating cross-cutting challenges, and coordinating work across initiatives.
• Support cultivation and maintenance of relationships with executive leaders from health systems, health plans, federal agencies, national nonprofits, industry partners and other private sector organizations.
• Represent the Action Alliance externally on strategic issues and subject matter specific issues.
• Support consensus-building among diverse public and private sector partners advancing Action Alliance priorities.
• Work in close coordination with the Secretariat Director and Secretariat leadership team to cultivate partnership opportunities with federal, non-profit, philanthropic, and business partners.
• Advise on development and use of progress measures and evaluation findings to inform strategy and demonstrate impact.
• Support effective engagement of Advisory Groups and Executive Committee members by ensuring strategic clarity and alignment across initiatives.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in public health, health policy, public administration, social sciences, or a related field, with 8 - 10 years of progressively responsible experience in suicide prevention, behavioral health, public health policy, including 3 - 5 years leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives at a national or state level, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in suicide prevention initiatives, including deep knowledge of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and national suicide prevention initiatives and policy.
• Experience serving as an organizational representative and subject matter expert in news media, industry events, advisory boards and other external forums with the ability to translate complex suicide prevention data and policy into clear, actionable messaging.
• Demonstrated experience providing senior-level strategic or advisor