Violence Prevention Policy and Strategy Project Director

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with
communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially
those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and
leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to
establishing a culture of anti-racism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our
bureaus, programs, and offices.

The Violence Prevention Policy and Strategy Project Director plays a key leadership role
within the Boston Public Health Commission, advancing a comprehensive public health approach to
preventing violence and promoting community safety. This position leads the development and
implementation of policies, strategies, and cross-sector partnerships that address violence as a
preventable public health issue. The manager is responsible for shaping evidence-informed,
community-centered strategies that reduce risk factors, strengthen protective factors, and address
social determinants of health. This role requires a strategic thinker with policy expertise, a deep
understanding of the root causes of violence, and a demonstrated commitment to racial equity,
trauma-informed care, and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Development & Strategic Leadership:
○ Lead the development and implementation of the long-term public health violence
prevention strategy (e.g. Plan to end violence).
○ Draft, review, and advocate for policies that support upstream prevention,
community healing, and health equity.
○ Align violence prevention strategy with the Commission’s overall community health
improvement plan (CHIP) and health equity goals.

Cross-Sector Collaboration:
○ Facilitate coordination across public health, education, law enforcement, social
services, behavioral health, and community-based organizations.
○ Serve as a liaison between the health department and local/regional coalitions or
task forces focused on violence prevention.
○ Lead interagency working groups that integrate violence prevention into broader
health and safety systems.

Data & Evaluation:
○ Use available epidemiological data, and research to identify trends and inform
strategic priorities.
○ Collaborate with internal/BPHC epidemiologists, evaluators (and other relevant
staff) to monitor the impact of violence prevention programs and policies.
○ Develop metrics and reporting tools to track key indicators and ensure
accountability.

Community Engagement & Capacity Building:
○ Work with the OVP Team to engage communities most impacted by violence in the
co-creation of policies and prevention strategies.
○ Support local partners and grassroots organizations through technical assistance,
training, and funding opportunities.
○ Promote culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches throughout all
engagement efforts.

Resource Development:
○ Identify and pursue grant funding to support public health-led violence prevention
initiatives.
○ Assist with the development of budgets, proposals, and performance reports for
funders and internal leadership.

Qualifications

● Master's degree in public health/public policy/health sciences or related degree, plus 3-5
years of experience (or bachelor's degree with 5+ years of experience).
● Commitment to the promotion of health equity, inclusion, and diversity within BPHC and the
community.
● 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 ability to develop and implement policy and strategy in cross-sector, public
health-oriented contexts.
● Experience managing projects with flexible timelines and iterative deliverables.
● Self-directed with ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple
priorities simultaneously, including time-sensitive requests.
● Exceptional communication skills (written and oral) and attention to detail.
● Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills.
● Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
● Demonstrated ability to work independently.
● Skill with Windows Office Package (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and ability to
learn new software applications and technology.