Managing Consultant, Substance Use Abatement

Job Description:

• Develop and execute a strategic vision for the SUA practice area, ensuring alignment with state and local public health goals, evidence-based practice, and harm reduction frameworks.
• Monitor emerging trends, policies, and best practices in substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery to inform BME’s strategy and client support.
• Forecast resource needs and staffing to support current and future projects across the SUA portfolio.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact and success of the firm’s SUA work and its contribution to firm-wide goals.
• Provide expertise across BME Strategies’ practice areas to integrate substance use prevention and recovery strategies into broader public health and behavioral health initiatives.
• Coordinate with other BME Practice Leads to ensure systems improvement and knowledge sharing is prioritized consistently across the organization.
• Contribute to firm-wide learning through case studies, best-practice documentation, and internal staff development.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for growth within the SUA practice area, expanding BME’s portfolio of prevention, treatment, and recovery-focused public health projects across all BME targeted states.
• Lead the capture and onboarding of new SUA clients and projects.
• Lead and contribute to proposal development for Substance Use Abatement contracts, grants, and RFPs, ensuring submissions highlight BME’s expertise in SUA and public health capacity building.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to set and achieve annual revenue targets for the SUA practice.
• Build BME Strategies’ presence and thought leadership through active participation in professional networks, conferences, and coalitions focused on behavioral health and substance use prevention.
• Design and scope SUA projects that are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and responsive to the needs of clients and communities.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality consulting engagements related to substance use prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support systems.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to state and local agencies on issues such as system planning, data-informed decision-making, workforce capacity, and cross-sector collaboration.
• Support public health departments and municipalities in developing and implementing community-level plans to address substance use and overdose prevention.
• Ensure project contracts remain accurate, compliant, and current, with a focus on quality deliverables and exceptional client service.
• Lead needs assessments, strategic planning processes, and evaluations related to SUA systems and services.
• Provide technical assistance to local health departments, regional coalitions, and community-based organizations on program design, coordination, and quality improvement.
• Support clients in integrating evidence-based prevention and treatment models, including harm reduction approaches and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Develop frameworks, toolkits, and guidance documents that strengthen local and regional capacity to respond to substance use challenges.
• Facilitate trainings and learning collaboratives focused on cross-sector collaboration, behavioral health integration, and community engagement.
• Integrate equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness into all SUA initiatives, centering populations disproportionately impacted by substance use and overdose.
• Manage and mentor Associate- and Consultant-level staff within the SUA practice area, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Provide coaching and feedback to support staff’s professional growth and technical development.
• Lead performance management and staff development efforts in partnership with the Director of Finance & Operations.
• Cultivate relationships with public health agencies, behavioral health providers, recovery networks, and community coalitions to strengthen collaboration and impact.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree (MPH, MSW, MPA, or related field) with a focus in public health, behavioral health, substance use, or social work.
• 6–12 years of progressive experience in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment systems, or behavioral health program management.
• 5+ years of experience managing client relationships in a consulting, government, or professional services setting.
• 3+ years of project leadership experience overseeing complex public health or behavioral health initiatives.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience, including mentoring and managing teams.
• Demonstrated success leading substance use systems assessments, strategic planning, or implementation projects with government or municipal clients.
• Expertise in at least two of the following: harm reduction, overdose prevention, behavioral health integration, recovery systems, prevention program design, or substance use data analysis.
• Strong understanding of state and local public health systems, behavioral health frameworks, and relevant federal funding streams (e.g., CDC, SAMHSA, HRSA).
• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders including public health officials, behavioral health providers, and community members.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with operational implementation and attention to detail.

Benefits:

• 6+ weeks total leave, including paid vacation, sick time, personal leave, and floating holidays
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health FSA and dependent care FSA
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• One-time technology stipend
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

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