MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!
Title: Lead Health Equity Strategist
$110,000 - $138,000 / Posted Thru: 7/6/2026
Location: Hybrid – Must work and live in the State of Michigan
In-Office Requirement - Tuesdays & Wednesdays in Lansing
Purpose: Under the direction of the Director of the Office of Public Health Transformation, the Lead Bureau Health Equity Strategist serves as the principal advisor and subject matter expert on health equity, racial equity, and social determinants of health across bureaus within the Public Health Administration. This position provides strategic leadership for the integration of equity principles into bureau policies, programs, funding decisions, contracts, performance measures, and community engagement efforts.
The Lead Bureau Health Equity Strategist coordinates bureau-wide health equity initiatives; develops and implements systems, tools, and accountability mechanisms; facilitates collaboration across MDHHS divisions and external partners; and provides technical guidance and mentorship to Bureau Health Equity Strategists and program staff. This position is responsible for advancing organizational change efforts that promote equitable outcomes and reduce health disparities through data-informed decision making and meaningful community engagement.
This position performs a full range of advanced professional activities requiring independent judgment and entails the development and management of complex organizational partnerships with federal, national, state, and local organizations as needed to establish, maintain, and evaluate implementation of evidence-based approaches to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce health disparities.
Strategic Leadership
- Serve as a senior advisor to the Director of the Office of Public Health Transformation on health equity strategy, implementation, and organizational change efforts.
- Assist in the planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of strategic initiatives led by OPHT.
- Support executive-level decision making through policy analysis, strategic recommendations, environmental scanning, and issue identification.
- Serve as the Director's designee on internal and external meetings, committees, workgroups, and special projects as assigned.
- Support executive-level decision making through policy analysis, strategic recommendations, environmental scanning, and issue identification.
- Coordinate follow-up activities and accountability measures associated with OPHT priorities and leadership directives.
Health Equity Strategist Leadership
- Provide leadership, guidance, and coordination to Bureau Health Equity Strategists across Public Health Administration.
- Facilitate regular meetings, communities of practice, and collaborative learning opportunities among Bureau Health Equity Strategists.
- Support consistency in health equity approaches, tools, reporting structures, and performance measures across bureaus.
- Assist Bureau Health Equity Strategists in identifying barriers, developing solutions, and implementing bureau-specific equity initiatives.
- Promote alignment between bureau activities and OPHT strategic priorities.
- Always represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI.
Accountability and Performance Monitoring
- Develop and maintain mechanisms to monitor implementation of health equity priorities across Public Health Administration.
- Prepare executive summaries, dashboards, briefing materials, and progress reports for leadership review.
- Identify opportunities for continuous quality improvement and organizational learning related to health equity efforts.
- Conduct all other duties as assigned.
Education: : A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, public administration, health administration, social work, sociology, epidemiology, health policy, community development, or related field. A master's degree in public health (MPH), public administration (MPA), health administration (MHA), social work (MSW), or a related field is preferred.
Experience: A minimum of six years of related experience in public health, health equity, program administration, organizational development, strategic planning, policy implementation, or related fields. Experience leading cross-functional initiatives, facilitating organizational change, and working with executive leadership is strongly preferred.
Important Skills and Characteristics:
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and manage complex initiatives with minimal direction while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making.
- Exceptional verbal, written, interpersonal, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, program staff, community partners, and external stakeholders.
- Proven ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships across diverse organizations, disciplines, and communities while fostering trust and shared accountability.
- Strong organizational change management, strategic planning, project management, and continuous quality improvement skills.
- Experience applying health equity, racial equity, and social determinants of health frameworks to policy development, program planning, funding decisions, performance measurement, and organizational operations.
- Familiarity with state government, state procedures for contracting and reporting is preferred.
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Office programs is expected.
- Training in health equity, disparities, implicit bias, systemic racism is preferred.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
May require occasional physical effort for transporting display or education material. Requires a valid vehicle operator’s license to attend off-site meetings, conferences, and trainings. This position is hybrid and in-office work will be required at minimum twice a week. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required. Selected candidates who have been approved to work remotely must complete that work within Michigan.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: No assigned responsibilities. This position does not exercise formal supervisory authority. However, the Lead Health Equity Strategist provides leadership, coordination, mentoring, consultation, and technical guidance to Bureau Health Equity Strategists and other staff engaged in health equity initiatives. The position is responsible for facilitating collaboration, promoting accountability, and advancing alignment of health equity activities across Public Health Administration.
IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position has a direct impact on the quality of services provided by MPHI to MDHHS. This role serves as a key strategic partner to the Director of the Office of Public Health Transformation and plays a critical role in advancing Public Health Administration's health equity priorities. The position influences bureau operations, strategic planning, performance management, partnership development, policy implementation, and organizational transformation efforts. Through leadership, coordination, and accountability functions, the position helps ensure consistent implementation of health equity initiatives across multiple bureaus and contributes to improved organizational effectiveness and equitable health outcomes statewide.
For purposes of employment standards, this classification is “Exempt” from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act.
MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!
MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.
