Director, Maternal & Infant Health Initiative (Remote in AZ)

Description
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We advocate for policies to protect them, work to radically improve the health care they receive, and pioneer research to find solutions. We empower families with programs, knowledge, and tools to have healthier pregnancies. By uniting communities, we are building a brighter future for us all.
We are dedicated to hiring a diverse workforce that fosters opportunities for personal and professional development. We provide a collaborative and supportive environment built upon our fundamental core principles, where each employee is valued. Join us in the fight for healthy moms and strong babies.

Scope
The Director of Maternal & Infant Health leads the implementation of March of Dimes’ mission strategy across the state by advancing programs, partnerships, and policy efforts that improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
This role serves as the organization’s maternal and infant health lead in the state, working with community partners, volunteers, policymakers, and internal teams to identify priority needs, implement evidence-informed initiatives, and advocate for policies that support healthy moms and babies.
The Director collaborates closely with national and local staff to align strategies with national priorities, mobilize cross-sector partnerships, and translate mission impact into opportunities for community engagement and donor investment. Through strategic leadership, coalition building, and data-informed decision-making, the Director drives initiatives that reduce disparities and produce measurable improvements in maternal and infant health statewide.
This position reports to the (Senior) Executive Director of Market Impact.

Responsibilities
Strategy, Program Implementation, and Partnerships

Serve as the maternal and infant health lead for the state, engaging and mobilizing community partners while building strong volunteer and partner relationships.

Lead the development and implementation of a state-level strategic plan and advocacy strategy aligned with March of Dimes priorities.

In collaboration with community partners and using data, identify areas of high need and burden and prioritize local programming.

Partner with the national mission team to manage and implement mission initiatives, including new innovative opportunities, programs, and national campaigns at the local level.

Foster strong collaboration with internal market staff to advance mission impact goals and ensure strategies are integrated across development, communications, marketing, and advocacy efforts.

Build and sustain a strong network of volunteers and strategic partners—including maternal and child health organizations, agencies, and community leaders—to advance the mission.

Leadership

Embody and demonstrate organizational core values: Diversity, Integrity, Mission, Excellence, and Success (DIMES) in all professional interactions and responsibilities.

Exemplify adaptive, results-driven leadership by centering community voices and positioning MOD as a trusted leader in maternal and child health (MCH) across the state.

Proactively assess implementation risks and challenges and develop strategies to mitigate barriers and ensure successful program execution.

Maintain accountability throughout all processes and engagement.

Lead the implementation of programs and strategic initiatives that drive measurable impact and improve maternal and infant health outcomes statewide.

Represent March of Dimes in media engagements and serve as a spokesperson at conferences, speaking engagements, and events.

Advocacy & Government Affairs

Perform ongoing management of issues and execution of strategy, tracking legislative and regulatory priorities, producing advocacy materials, and lobbying policymakers.

Manage coalition relationships and plan and execute advocacy events.

Represent MOD in various capacities with policymakers, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

Register as a lobbyist consistent with state laws and regulations. If applicable, utilize electronic data management tools to review and analyze legislative developments.

Donor / Revenue Development

Translate and share mission and/or advocacy impact in ways that invite donor investment and supporter engagement.

Collaborate with staff partners and key volunteers to identify, cultivate, and secure program funding, including sponsorship, for relevant mission campaigns.

Qualifications
Previous Experience

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in one or more of the following areas: maternal/child health program planning and implementation; advocacy and government affairs; public health programming; working with disadvantaged populations; community development.

Experience with results-based accountability models.

Skilled organizer with experience in community engagement and coalition management, including multicultural communities.

Ability to interact across multiple acculturation levels and socio-economic groups.

Familiarity with the geography, key institutions, partners, and volunteers.

Experience convening and leading partners, building strategic partnerships, and conducting meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

Strong critical thinking skills to assess the local market environment and available resources for successful program implementation.

Ability to recruit, mobilize, and lead volunteers and partners.

Education

Master’s degree in public health, health advocacy or policy, community health, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

March of Dimes provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Learn more here