Director of The Center of Excellence in Addiction - 61111213

Full Job Description

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The South Carolina Center of Excellence in Addiction (CoE), in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, seeks a results-driven senior leader to direct a complex, statewide, cross-institutional initiative addressing substance use disorders through evidence-based solutions.

This high-visibility role carries full accountability for strategic direction, operational execution, funding, partnerships, and performance, and requires sound judgment, disciplined follow-through, and the ability to lead effectively across organizational, sector, and political boundaries.

Role Summary

The Director leads the CoE’s strategic direction while ensuring operational excellence and measurable outcomes.

The role integrates senior leadership, fiscal oversight, grant management, stakeholder engagement, and program evaluation.

The Director serves as the primary representative to funders, governing bodies, policymakers, and partner organizations and is accountable for meeting contractual, grant, state, and federal requirements.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership for a statewide, multi-institutional collaborative, serving as the central point of coordination and decision-making. Lead daily operations while advancing the CoE’s strategic plan, ensuring priorities are aligned, timelines are met, and performance standards are upheld.

Direct all internal and external communications, including leadership team and advisory board engagement, funder relations, and partner coordination.

Serve as the primary liaison to the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF) Board and other key stakeholders.

Guide communications strategy, digital presence, and public-facing content, including webinars and presentations.

Oversee program development, implementation, and evaluation across grants and contracts. Partner closely with evaluators to assess outcomes, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement.

Lead learning collaboratives, workgroups, and cross-institutional initiatives to ensure deliverables meet quality and compliance standards.

• Maintain strong, productive relationships with cross-sector partners across South Carolina. Lead data collection, needs assessments, and synthesis efforts to inform strategy, policy, and funding priorities.

• Exercise full fiscal responsibility for the CoE, including budget development and oversight, subcontracting, invoicing, and financial reporting. Lead and support funding sustainability through competitive grant development and proposal execution.

• Produce clear, credible reports for funders, policymakers, partners, and the public. Represent the CoE on committees and in external forums as required.

Additional information about the SC Center of Excellence in Addiction

“The South Carolina Center of Excellence in Addiction was established in late 2022 as a collaborative initiative among Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina, the S.C.

Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (now part of the S. C. Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities), and the S.C. Department of Public Health.

It was created to combine expertise and resources to better address opioid use disorder and other substance use challenges across the state.

The Center of Excellence in Addiction leverages the specific expertise existing at each partnering state agency and university for centralized collaboration on addiction efforts, making statewide data analysis, technical assistance, and learning opportunities accessible to stakeholders throughout South Carolina.

Combined efforts are poised to more efficiently utilize expertise and resources.

A recently published study suggests that South Carolina has at least 54,000 residents with active opioid use disorder, and approximately 13,000 of those residents received evidence-based treatment in the past year.

Significant investments are being made to address the opioid crisis with federal and state funds and greater local investments by way of South Carolina’s Opioid Recovery Funds.

Ensuring that these resources for addressing the addiction epidemic are deployed as efficiently as possible requires understanding how the state is performing in identifying, treating, and retaining individuals with substance use disorders currently and over time.”

Explore additional information by clicking here: SC Addiction Center of Excellence

Requirements

Master’s degree in a public service–related field with relevant program leadership experience. Demonstrated success in organizational or government leadership, including managing complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders.

Proven expertise in grant writing and grants and contracts management. Working knowledge of substance use disorders and evidence-based intervention strategies. Exceptional attention to detail, analytical capability, organizational discipline, and senior-level communication skills.

Qualifications

Government agency experience. Direct experience in substance use disorders, behavioral health, or community health systems. Budget management experience with applied accounting principles.

Experience conducting and applying literature reviews, needs assessments, and program evaluations to drive strategic and programmatic decisions.

Strong ability to work effectively with senior leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and community partners. Knowledge of health policy and familiarity with REDCap are desirable.

Additional Information

DRIVING RECORD: If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver’s license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.

STATE DISASTER PLAN: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, Department of Public Health employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Applicants needing accommodation for medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for accommodation. A reasonable accommodation may be granted if it doesn't impose an undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

EEO: The Department of Public Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children. Click here for additional information.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

HYBRID WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after 12 months of employment for approved positions.