Rural Health Transformation Project Evaluation Program Manager

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a strategic and results-driven Program Evaluation Manager to help guide one of the Commonwealth’s most significant healthcare transformation initiatives. As part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), this role offers a unique opportunity to influence how nearly $900 million in statewide investments improves healthcare access, strengthens rural health systems, and advances health outcomes for communities across Massachusetts. This is a unique opportunity to apply advanced statistical, epidemiologic, and analytical expertise to some of the Commonwealth’s most important public health challenges. Working within the Office of Health Data, Strategy, and Innovation (OHDSI), the Program Evaluation Manager will play an essential role in ensuring that innovative programs and investments are measured effectively, producing meaningful insights that support accountability, continuous improvement, and informed policy decisions. This position is ideal for professionals who are passionate about public health, healthcare transformation, and using data-driven evaluation to create lasting impact.

Working closely with senior leadership, program managers, policy experts, external partners, and evaluation vendors, the Program Evaluation Manager will oversee complex evaluation initiatives that inform strategic decision-making at both the programmatic and policy levels. The successful candidate will help shape evaluation frameworks, guide performance measurement efforts, manage evaluation operations, and ensure that findings translate into actionable improvements for rural communities. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate across government, healthcare, and community sectors while contributing to innovative solutions that advance healthcare access and equity, and support long-term system sustainability. Candidates who thrive in collaborative environments, enjoy managing complex projects, and are committed to advancing public health through evidence-based decision-making will find this to be a rewarding and highly visible leadership opportunity.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Lead the planning, implementation, and oversight of evaluation activities for RHTP initiatives, ensuring alignment with program goals, policy priorities, regulatory requirements, and organizational objectives.

• Develop and maintain evaluation frameworks, methodologies, performance measures, and reporting strategies that support accountability, continuous improvement, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Oversee evaluation contracts and vendor relationships, including scope development, contract administration, performance monitoring, deliverable review, and compliance with contractual requirements.

• Serve as the primary liaison between evaluation vendors, program leadership, governance bodies, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective communication and successful project execution.

• Manage evaluation project operations, including work plans, timelines, milestone tracking, reporting schedules, documentation, and coordination of key deliverables.

• Monitor the quality, accuracy, and relevance of evaluation outputs to ensure findings effectively support program improvement, policy development, and strategic planning efforts.

• Supervise and provide directions to evaluation staff, consultants, and project team members, including assigning priorities, monitoring performance, and supporting professional development.

• Coordinate evaluation-related data collection, performance measurement activities, and reporting processes to support program monitoring and outcome assessment.

• Collaborate with RHTP leadership, policy teams, governance staff, healthcare partners, and external stakeholders to align evaluation activities with strategic and operational priorities.

• Translate evaluation findings into actionable recommendations that inform program operations, policy decisions, funding strategies, and healthcare system improvements across rural communities.

• Represent the evaluation function in meetings, workgroups, and stakeholder forums while providing expertise on evaluation practices, performance management, and program effectiveness.

• Support emergency response and public health preparedness efforts as required, including performing evaluation-related functions in support of emergency declarations or critical departmental initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale public health, healthcare, or human services program evaluations that inform strategic planning, policy development, and operational improvement.

• Knowledge of evaluation methodologies, performance measurement frameworks, logic models, and continuous quality improvement practices.

• Experience with managing complex contracts, overseeing vendor performance, and ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and deliverable timelines.

• Strong understanding of healthcare delivery systems, public health programs, healthcare financing, and state or federal healthcare policies.

• Proven ability to analyze complex quantitative and qualitative data and translate findings into actionable recommendations for diverse audiences.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while balancing competing priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations.

• Experience with developing executive-level reports, presentations, dashboards, and other communication materials that support data-driven decision-making.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to build collaborative relationships across government agencies, healthcare organizations, community partners, and external stakeholders.

• Familiarity with data governance principles, data management practices, and the use of performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and outcomes.

• Capacity to foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment that values diversity, accessibility, equity, belonging, and continuous learning.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams.

• High level of discretion and commitment to confidentiality.

DPH Mission and Vision: 

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.  

We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.  

Learn more: www.mass.gov/DPH

Learn more: Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

Pre-Hire Process:

A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.