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ROME GROUP

Director of Improving Systems

ROME GROUP, Des Moines, Iowa, United States,


The Addiction Science Team is focused on 1) Improving Systems of Care and 2) Enhancing Drug User Wellness, with approximately 25 staff members supporting work in these two areas of concentration. We are currently looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, inquiring, and compassionate individual to serve as our team’s Director of Improving Systems. The person in this role will develop and oversee grants and programs designed to accomplish specific objectives (e.g., lower barriers to medications for opioid use disorder) across various systems that serve or otherwise interface with people who use drugs. These systems and settings include but are not limited to substance use disorder treatment, recovery support, emergency responders, public health departments, carceral and justice settings, hospitals, and maternal and family health programs. The Director of Improving Systems will focus on a small number of system-level projects at a time, while helping envision (and secure funding for) new projects pertaining to new systems as new ideas and needs emerge. They will also work with other team directors to collaboratively establish processes for staff and students to work across functions and content areas most effectively and support the development of innovative pilot projects. This individual will assume both lead and supportive roles in each day or week, depending on the circumstance. Critically, the Director of Improving Systems will also invest significant time supervising, mentoring, and coaching junior staff to support them in honing their ideas, learning new skills, and excelling in this and future stages of their careers.Subject matters of primary interest include but are not limited to substance use disorder AND the workings of any or all of the following systems, settings, and services:Clinical treatment settings (including Opioid Treatment Programs)Recovery Support ServicesPeer Support and Community Health WorkersEmergency Responders (law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire)HospitalsPrimary CareCarceral and justice systems (prisons, jails, courts)Local public health departmentsPerinatal & Family HealthChild WelfareHousingDuties and Responsibilities:Lead current and future efforts to accomplish our primary systems-related objectives: 1) increase rapid and long-term access to medications for opioid use disorder; 2) decrease stigma and misinformation; and 3) build ecosystems of care for people who use drugs.Establish and maintain strong external relationships with stakeholders across diverse systems in Missouri to help advance system-level collaboration and improvement.Lead sub-team planning and visioning efforts related to system improvement objectives by identifying service gaps, creatively generating ideas for how to fill those gaps, and securing resources and partnerships to ensure those gaps get and stay filled.Support Addiction Science staff members to maximize the potential impact of our current funding and programs through brainstorming, troubleshooting, and strategic planning.Contribute to grant budget development and monitoring and ongoing grant reporting activities.Contribute subject matter expertise to the development of training curricula, community-facing resources, and academic presentations and manuscripts.Carry out harm reduction principles in their approach to projects and collaborations.Demonstrate values consistent with diversity, equity, and inclusion through attending to research questions regarding health disparities and participating in efforts to advance equity in substance use services and our own working environment.Supervise and mentor 3-5 staff members, supporting their ongoing work efforts and coaching them to develop new skills and expertise to take them further in their careers.Qualifications:At least 10 years of experience working within systems serving or otherwise interfacing with people who use drugs (e.g., behavioral healthcare, medical settings, criminal justice).Strong leadership, mentorship, and personnel supervision skills.Experience writing successful grant proposals.Experience navigating bureaucratic rules and regulations to effect systems change.Reports to: Rachel Winograd, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences.Remote Work/Physical Requirements: Hybrid in-person and remote work expected, with 2-3 in-office days per week. Can be flexible in the first few months if the ideal candidate is not based in St. Louis; however, relocation to St. Louis will be required (some financial support for relocation may be available).Salary range: $80,000-$100,000 depending on experience and qualifications.Benefit Summary: The University of Missouri, St. Louis offers benefit-eligible employees a wide variety of benefits including health, dental and vision coverage effective on the first day of employment, vacation & sick time accrual, four personal days per year, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, pension and employee & dependent life insurance. For more information about our benefits, please visit

this link .Start date: Flexible start dates possible, ideally within 2024.Funding expectations: This position is a long-term career opportunity. Current grant funding is annual with expectations for renewals. The person in this position will be expected to heavily contribute to future grant proposal development to maintain current funding lines and secure new funding to shape the direction of the team.The candidate will be expected to abide by the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University System.Please visit the University of Missouri – St. Louis careers website to apply:

https://www.umsl.edu/services/hrs/careers/index.html .About the team: Our Addiction Science Team at UMSL-Missouri Institute of Mental Health (UMSL-MIMH) strives to improve systems of care for those with substance use disorders, as well as enhance health and wellbeing among all people who use drugs. We do this through state, federal, and foundation-funded efforts to develop, implement, and rigorously evaluate and test initiatives involving substance use treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts in Missouri and across the U.S. Our overarching goals are to prevent overdose deaths, promote the dignity and worth of people who use drugs, reduce barriers to evidence-based treatment and recovery services, and build community-level ecosystems of supportive care. Day to day, these efforts include supply distribution, education and capacity building, data gathering and dissemination, project outcome evaluation, and rigorous research inquiry. Given the diversity of the communities we serve, it is essential we approach our work with a focus on equity and an attitude of cultural humility.The University of Missouri-St. Louis is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. As one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse campuses in Missouri, UMSL is committed to maintaining a climate where all students, faculty, staff and visitors can explore their interests, refine their talents and flourish. Inclusive excellence is embedded in our strategic plan which focuses on actions to recruit and retain diverse students and employees and promote activities that encourage civil and constructive discourse, reasoned thought and sustained dialogue in an environment of inclusion, respect and appreciation.Specifically, our Addiction Science team is committed to building a diverse leadership team and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color, and people with lived experience with drug use, addiction, incarceration, and sex work.

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