Director Health Equity / Job Req 688155096

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for directly assisting the Chief Health Equity Officer (CHEO) in developing, implementing, analyzing, and refining the Alameda Alliance for Health's (AAH) goals and objectives related to healthcare equity (HCE), diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). The Director of Health Equity will partner with the CHEO and other leaders to strengthen the organization's commitment and strategy to advance health equity and reduce health disparities of our member population, as well as to remain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. The position will assist in raising awareness of health inequities within our membership and establish plans to address them. The Director of Health Equity will also assist with the development and implementation of community outreach and member engagement strategies designed to address identified health inequities. This will include assisting with the development of policies, tracking and analyzing trends in healthcare disparities, recognizing the implications of diverse cultural language, economic, education, and health status needs of those in our service area and organization, and supporting other efforts to address those inequities. This position is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Health Equity division and collaborates with the CHEO and leadership teams across the organization to support the development of health equity strategies that align with the objectives of the company and assist with the implementation of those strategies by tracking and measuring the successes and closing gaps in the local community. The Director helps drive the imbedding and communication of health equity strategies across stakeholder groups, such as the Board of Governors, employees, members, and the local community. The Director of Health Equity will be designated to participate and present in the Board of Governors meetings in the absence of the CHEO. This position assists in maintaining strong relationships with Alliance employees, providers, and local stakeholders who will help to combat inequities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the AAH approach to health equity;
• Manages the Health Equity team, including hiring, planning, design, implementation, training, and reporting of specified health equity initiatives;
• Coordinates initiatives aimed at advancing and aligning the health equity strategy and tactical workplan to reduce health disparities among specified populations;
• Interviews, selects, trains, develops, and evaluates reporting staff, and provides input to management regarding disciplinary issues;
• Manages staff engaged in addressing health-equity-related concerns; ensures timely and appropriate responses are given;
• Research evidence-based practices and nationally recognized criteria, helps design, and recommends opportunities to enhance efforts through scaling best practices, technology platforms, or other culturally relevant modes of communication, and insights and perspectives generated by impacted and diverse stakeholders;
• Works collaboratively with internal and external partners and stakeholders and with external community organizations and agencies to address identified priority disparities and improve health quality and outcomes;
• Participate in strategy and program development across the organization and in the community to ensure that health equity is prioritized and addressed through internal health plan functions, operations, and external partnerships and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with senior management teams at AAH, partner closely with AAH's Quality department, and partner with agencies to ensure the strategic priorities of the organization are met.
• Helps organize meetings of key partners and stakeholders while documenting progress and holding key members accountable for work products;
• Facilitates community outreach strategies and partnerships towards health equity and best practices by identifying and addressing ethnic, cultural, or racial disparities in health quality and outcomes;
• Provides support in the design and implementation of the Alameda Alliance for Health (AAH) strategies and programs to ensure health equity is prioritized and addressed;
• Works with the CHEO and other leaders to ensure AAH's compliance with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) on regulatory and contractual requirements;
• Serves as primary backup for the CHEO on the DEIB and VIA Committee and other required meetings;
• Works with the CHEO and appropriate internal and external stakeholders to develop and monitor Key Performance Indicators for health equity, analyze and share observations regarding programmatic practice and innovation, interpret internal and external DEI metrics, and help implement organizational culture and practice;
• Assists with reviewing AAH policies and procedures to ensure they continually promote health equity where possible, including, but not limited to, 1) corporate marketing and communications strategy, 2) medical and health services policies, 3) member and provider outreach, 4) Consumer Advisory Committee 5) QI activities including delivery system reforms, 6) Grievance and Appeals, and 7) Utilization Management;
• Supports the creation and development of new Health Equity policies and procedures;
• Provides assistance for the member engagement and community relations teams;
• Attends regular health equity meetings with key constituents to build relationships, share best practices and health equity tactics, hear feedback, continually improve the health equity plan, and provide quality resources or services that add value for AAH members;
• Interprets research and helps implement strategies designed to identify and address root causes of health inequities throughout AAH's service area, which includes but is not limited to systemic racism, Social Determinants of Health, and infrastructure barriers;
• Supports the development and implementation of targeted interventions to address and eliminate health inequities and disparities;
• Works with HR to monitor progress toward our DEIB vision and achievement of our DEIB goals, as well as the execution of strategies designed to achieve those goals;
• Engages and collaborates with the CHEO, leaders and staff, subcontractors, network providers, and entities, including but not limited to, local community-based organizations, the local health department, behavioral health and social services, child welfare systems, and members of health equity efforts and initiatives;
• Helps ensure employees, subcontractors, and Network Provider staff receive mandatory DEIB training (sensitivity, diversity, communication skills, and cultural competency training);
• Participate in State and industry work groups such as DHCS, DMHC, CHCF, NCQA, ACAP, and CAHP to expand AAH's influence on benefit design, regulations, and policy direction;

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Constant and close visual work at desk or computer
• Constant sitting and working at a desk
• Constant data entry using keyboard and/or mouse
• Frequent use of telephone headset
• Frequent verbal and written communication with staff and other business associates by telephone, correspondence, or in-person
• Frequent lifting of folders and various other objects weighing between 0 and 30 lbs.
• Frequent walking and standing
• Occasional driving of automobiles.

Number of Employees Supervised: 0-3

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION OR TRAINING EQUIVALENT TO:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, health care, public policy, business, or related field required;
• Master of Public Health (MPH) preferred, but not mandated;
• Health Equity Training: Formal training related to health equity or within one (1) year of hire date.

MINIMUM YEARS OF ADDITIONAL RELATED EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of ten (10) years' experience advocating for and implementing change within a multicultural environment, preferably with some experience in project planning, developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; managing outcomes; and using data to inform continuous decision-making and improvement; any equivalent combination of education and experience;
• A minimum of five (5) years' experience in human resources and/or staff development, public health, or public administration promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS (SKILLS, ABILITIES, LICENSE):

• Required local travel up to 40%;
• Possession of a valid California driver's license, auto liability insurance, and a good driving record is required. If assigned tasks include the need to deliver items, it should be done in an AAH vehicle (which is in the care of Communications & Outreach).;
• Ability to think and plan strategically;
• Knowledge of health equity concepts;
• Ability to scope, define, and interpret quantitative analyses of operational problems ;
• Ability to engage and develop relationships with network providers;
• Ability to work with a high degree of diplomacy, credibility, and persuasiveness to consistently cultivate effective working relationships;
• Effectively express ideas and gain their acceptance;
• Be focused, proactive, and action-oriented;
• Drive performance and is persistent in accomplishing difficult tasks;
• Be a highly effective and active communicator with people at all levels;
• Actively seek out and support collaborative thinking and problem-solving with others in the organization;
• Experience in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care and/or other settings, and an interest and involvement in the affairs of the health care community;
• Strong leadership and public speaking skills;
• Experience in developing and implementing initiatives/programs related to health equity;
• Experience in developing and implementing health policies;
• Knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles;
• Knowledge of Medi-Cal (Medicaid) and Medicare;
• Experience in health plan regulatory compliance;
• Collaborating in a matrix environment with key business units;
• Experience in leading complex enterprise-wide projects;
• Experience with continuous improvement processes;
• Proven track record of successful project and program leadership;
• Experience with collaborating cross-functionally across diverse internal and external partner groups;
• Preparation of business plans, analyses, financial projections, and programmatic and operational reports;
• Have a high degree of energy, patience, persistence, and assertiveness;
• Be motivated to work in a setting with a social mission;
• Preferred experience facilitating large multi-stakeholder collaborations related health equity is a plus.

SALARY RANGE $185,153.97-$277,730.96 ANNUALLY

The Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications and merit. We strive to have the best qualified person in every job. Our policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. M/F/Vets/Disabled.