Position Title: Rooted in Health (RIH) Initiative Lead

Salary: $120,000–$130,000, depending on experience (plus benefits)

Position End Date: 6/30/2026

Location: Kentucky Department for Public Health (hybrid)

About the CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by leveraging partnerships among the CDC, philanthropic organizations, corporations, other organizations, and individuals to protect the health, safety, and security of the United States and the world. The CDC Foundation is the only organization authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support the CDC’s essential health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has launched about 1,000 programs and raised more than $740 million. Last year, it supported more than 300 CDC-led programs across the United States and in over 130 countries.

Overview:

The CDC Foundation is looking for a mission-driven, highly organized Rooted in Health (RIH) Initiative Lead to support the Kentucky Department for Public Health. This role will oversee the statewide launch, implementation, coordination, and ongoing improvement of an oral health initiative. The initiative aims to expand the dental workforce, build new teledentistry infrastructure, and increase oral health access through innovative care delivery approaches. RIH is one of five new initiatives launching under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a statewide effort to improve rural health access and outcomes.

The RIH Initiative Lead will be part of the A3 Transformation Team (Aspire → Activate → Attain), which serves as RHTP’s central “nerve center” for consistent, disciplined execution across all five initiatives. The work arrangement is primarily hybrid (2–3 days per week in the office), and the position may require travel throughout the state.

Required Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in public health, health policy, health administration, dental hygiene, or a related field

· 7+ years of experience managing healthcare programs, oral health systems, or serving in public health leadership roles

· Strong understanding of oral health service delivery models, workforce development strategies, and telehealth integration

· Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex oral health programs and coordinate with diverse stakeholder groups

· Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to engage providers, academic institutions, and community leaders

Preferred Qualifications:

· Advanced degree in public health, health policy, health administration, or a related field

· Experience with rural health systems and culturally responsive engagement strategies

· Knowledge of teledentistry platforms, health IT interoperability standards, and mobile care delivery models

· Certification in quality improvement or healthcare management (e.g., CPHQ, PMP)

· Familiarity with Kentucky’s public health landscape, rural community needs, and social determinants of health

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning, Advisory, & Oversight

· Lead the development of RIH’s statewide vision, strategic priorities, and implementation plan, ensuring alignment with RHTP and Kentucky maternal health goals

· Convert statewide strategy into a practical implementation plan, including key milestones, performance metrics, and long-term sustainability options

· Ensure coordination with state and local efforts by integrating policy updates, partner input, and emerging opportunities

· Provide strategic guidance to RIH programs by turning insights into recommendations that strengthen program direction and impact

Statewide Expansion Planning

· Evaluate and strengthen county and regional readiness for expanding RIH geographically, including operational feasibility

· Build and maintain relationships with statewide partners and institutions (e.g., University of Kentucky, local health departments, etc.) to support alignment and coordination

· Develop the operational, workforce, and program infrastructure needed to support future phases of RIH across rural communities

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development

· Establish and manage key partnerships across state agencies, health systems, local health departments, educational institutions, K–12 schools, and long-term care facilities to support RIH

· Lead statewide and regional meetings and convenings (e.g., workgroups, advisory groups, provider collaboratives, and multi-stakeholder sessions) to drive coordination and shared learning

· Coordinate across sectors to ensure clinical, community, and government partners work toward shared goals and consistent implementation

· Serve as an external representative for the initiative by engaging partners and funders to strengthen collaboration, address obstacles, and advance program outcomes

Data, Analytics, & Performance Management

· Design and manage RIH’s performance management process, including Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), reporting procedures, and outcome tracking

· Use data to support decision-making, improve program quality, and respond to emerging challenges

· Oversee performance and reporting processes to ensure accountability to statewide goals

· Provide strategic leadership on data governance and analytic priorities to ensure reliable, high-quality information

Special Notes:

This role supports a fast-moving public health program. As circumstances evolve, duties and responsibilities may change. The responsibilities described above may be expanded or updated as priorities and needs require, following written approval from both the CDC Foundation and the Kentucky Department for Public Health to best support the department’s public health programming.

This position is currently hybrid. The CDC Foundation reserves the right to adjust this as needed.

All qualified candidates will be considered for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We follow all applicable laws, including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, which govern employment practices, and we do not discriminate based on any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free workplace

Relocation expenses are not provided