Executive Director, Community Relations & Equity (DOH8798)

Full Job Description

The Executive Director of Community Relations and Equity sits at the center of the Department of Health’s commitment to advancing health justice within an evolving and increasingly complex public health landscape.

This role provides strategic leadership to embed equity, antiracism, and community voice across agencywide policy development, legislative engagement, planning, and decision-making.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Director leads and influences policy, strategy, and organizational initiatives that strengthen accountability to communities, how the agency builds and sustains authentic and impactful relationships and helps drive our work in a way that delivers equitable health outcomes statewide.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who can navigate complexity, build meaningful relationships, and translate equity principles into action at scale.

As the Executive Director, you will provide strategic leadership for community relations and equity across the Department of Health. Core responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership and Agencywide Influence

• Provide strategic leadership for community relations and equity across the Department of Health.
• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, shaping agencywide approaches to trust-building, equity, and community influence.
• Serve as a senior advisor and connector on systemwide initiatives impacting underserved communities.
• Represent the agency at the executive level, including participation on the Health Disparities Council.
• Coordinate with the State Office of Equity and seek cross-agency collaboration to strengthen collective impact.

Community Partnerships and Community Voice

• Lead and sustain strategic partnerships with community leaders and community-based organizations to ensure meaningful community influence in agency work.
• Identify, develop, and strengthen pathways for community participation in policy, planning, and implementation.
• Provide guidance and consultation to agency leaders and staff on strategic partnership and relationship issues.
• Identify areas where community voices are absent or could be strengthened and guide efforts to address those gaps.

Health Equity Strategy, Policy, and Systems Integration

• Guide agencywide health equity strategy, including policies, initiatives, and practices that address health disparities and avoid unintended inequities.
• Lead efforts to embed health justice and equity principles across policy, legislative, and government relations activities.
• Guide and implement health equity impact reviews to assess the equity implications of legislation, policies, and initiatives.
• Advise and lead efforts related to Community Compensation and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards.
• Assist in the development of internal and external communication strategies related to health equity.

Facilitation, Learning, and Capacity Building

• Facilitate and lead courageous, healthy conversations on race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality that promote learning, trust, and progress.
• Create and support communities of practice that strengthen agencywide understanding and application of health equity principles.
• Provide guidance, tools, and training to staff and partners on applying equity frameworks in public health decision-making.
• Identify areas of growth and learning for self and others to strengthen shared equity understanding across the agency.

People Leadership and Team Development

• Supervise and lead a team of over 20 Community Relations and Equity staff.
• Set strategic goals, support program evaluation, and establish clear outcomes to bring structure and transparency to the work.
• Support staff development and ensure the resources needed for effective engagement and communication are in place.

Location and Flexibility

We prioritize work-life balance and offer a remote work arrangement for this position, with meaningful in-person engagement as an essential part of the role.

While most work can be performed remotely, regular in-person collaboration, community engagement, and partner meetings are expected and will be scheduled in advance whenever possible.

This position requires frequent travel, including occasional overnight travel, to attend partner meetings and represent the agency across Washington State and at national forums.

The position is open to applicants living anywhere in Washington State, as well as those near the Oregon/Washington or Idaho/Washington borders.

Benefits and Lifestyle

We prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle.

We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

We safeguard public health in an ever-evolving world.

Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily.

We are driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.

This role plays a central role in shaping how equity is embedded across every division and initiative, influencing how policies are developed, decisions are made, and communities are engaged statewide.

Required Qualifications

Experience must demonstrate senior-level management and leadership directing complex health equity–focused programs or initiatives, with advanced competencies in organizational leadership, strategic planning, people management, cross-sector collaboration, and accountability for outcomes.

Path 1: A Master’s degree (or higher) in Public Health, Public Administration, Public Policy, or a closely related field; and a minimum of eight years of experience as described above.

Path 2: A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Public Policy, or a closely related field and a minimum often years of experience as described above.

Path 3: An equivalent combination of education or professional experience, totaling ten or more years of experience as described above.

Successful candidates will also bring:

Leadership and People Management

• Strong leadership and management skills
• Ability to set priorities, manage time effectively, and lead work across competing demands
• Creative problem-solving skills when navigating complex or unfamiliar challenges

Partnership, Collaboration, and Facilitation

• Community partnership experience at the local, state or federal level
• Strong collaboration and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with agency staff and external partners
• Ability to understand, navigate, and resolve complex partnership and relationship issues

Strategic Analysis and Judgment

• Ability to research, analyze, and develop effective engagement strategies for diverse audiences
• Ability to analyze facts and law to inform sound, defensible decisions

Communication and Influence

• Ability to write clearly and communicate effectively on complex public health issues
• Demonstrated skill in oral, written, and interpersonal communication across varied audiences

Health Equity and Disparities Expertise

• Strong skills in addressing health disparities and health justice
• Demonstrated ability to advance and improve health equity in programs, policies, or systems

Application Directions

We recognize that applying for senior leadership roles requires a meaningful investment of time, and we appreciate your interest in leading this critical work.

To apply, select Apply and complete the online application.

Please submit a resume and cover letter that clearly describes how your experience, skills, and leadership background align with the qualifications outlined in this announcement.

In your Applicant Profile, include at least three professional references, ideally representing a range of perspectives such as a supervisor, a peer, and someone you have supervised or led.

Required application materials:

• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Three or more professional references (if not included in your applicant Profile)
• DD-214 (if applicable, for veterans preference)

Do not submit the following materials as they will not be reviewed:

• Personal photos or documents containing photos
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Certifications or diplomas
• Projects or portfolios

Work & Conditions of Employment

The information below describes the work environment, schedule expectations, and other conditions associated with this role.

Applicants must be prepared, with or without reasonable accommodation, to meet the following work and employment conditions to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

• This position is primarily home-based, with work performed almost exclusively indoors in a DOH office, mobile, or home setting.
• Exposure to hazards is limited to those typically found in government office, mobile, or home environments.
• The role requires participation in meetings statewide, both virtually and occasionally in person, at designated DOH locations on a drop-in basis.

Schedule & Work Hours

• This is a full-time position, typically Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• A flexible schedule may be considered with supervisor approval and is subject to periodic review.
• The position requires the ability to adjust work hours as needed to meet business demands, which may include evenings, weekends, extended hours, or working more than 40 hours per week during emergencies, special projects, or travel.

Travel Requirements

• Frequent travel is required to attend partner meetings across Washington State and occasionally at the national level.
• Travel may include overnight stays and occasional out-of-state travel.
• The ability to legally drive a vehicle or arrange alternative transportation for state business is required.

Technology, Tools & Equipment

• This requires routine use of a laptop, telephone, reliable internet access, and standard office equipment.
• Regular communication is conducted through platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Outlook, and phone while working remotely.

Collaboration & Engagement

• Works closely with programs and divisions across the agency, including executive leadership.
• Engages with community organization leaders, state agency partners, and local health departments and districts, representing a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Participates in emergency response exercises and may be assigned high-priority duties during emergency events, as directed.

Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application.

Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.

DOH is an equal-opportunity employer.

We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.

Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need accommodation in the application or selection process, or need information in an alternative format, contact Zach Covington employment@doh.wa.gov.

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

Additional Information

This position is exempt from civil service law