Managing Director, Rural Health Transformation Program

Tennessee Department of Health

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Job Summary

Position Overview: 

The Managing Director for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for grant administration supporting Tennessee’s multi-year federal RHTP award totaling $206 million in its first year. This role sits within the Division of Strategic Initiatives and oversees a centralized team responsible for supporting 17 initiatives and multiple sub-projects, ensuring strong federal compliance, effective systems, timely reporting, and high-quality customer service to program teams.

The RHT Managing Director maintains a portfolio-wide, 30,000-foot view—connecting the dots across initiatives, standardizing processes, identifying risk early, and enabling teams to meet federal requirements efficiently and accurately. This role is ideal for a leader who is comfortable operating at scale, building systems, and bringing clarity to complex or evolving environments.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Oversight & Compliance 

• Provide portfolio-level oversight of federal grant administration across multiple initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with federal requirements, state policies, and internal controls.

• Oversee timely and accurate financial, performance, and compliance reporting.

• Monitor risk across the portfolio and elevate issues early with recommended solutions.

• Coordinate and produce grant progress reports for department leadership and the RHT Governance Committee

Team Leadership 

• Supervise and support a team of Grant Managers and Contract Analysts.

• Set priorities, balance workloads, and establish clear service standards.

• Coach and develop staff to promote consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Process & Systems Development 

• Design, standardize, and scale grant and contract management processes.

• Translate complex or evolving requirements into clear, repeatable workflows.

• Continuously assess and improve systems to support a large, multi-initiative program.

Cross-Initiative Coordination 

• Work closely with the RHT Coordinating Director to ensure connections across initiatives, identifying patterns, shared challenges, and opportunities for alignment.

• Partner with program leadership, fiscal, and procurement teams to support smooth operations.

• Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders, translating technical requirements into practical guidance.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

• Experience managing or overseeing federal grants, including reporting and compliance.

• Experience leading professional staff in a complex, deadline-driven environment.

• Strong understanding of federal grant requirements and cost principles.

• Demonstrated ability to build or improve systems and processes at scale.

• Comfort working in dynamic environments with evolving guidance or priorities.

• Strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills.

• Proficiency with Excel and grant or contract tracking systems.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience overseeing large, multi-project federal awards.

• Familiarity with public-sector or state government grant environments.

• Experience leading health, public health, or human services programs.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

– Submit resume with cover letter describing your interest in the position to jennifer.trail@tn.gov. Please also include name and contact information for 3 references.
– Deadline to submit applications: January 26th.

Details

• Date Posted: January 13, 2026
• Type: Contract / Temp
• Job Function: Accounting / Financial Management
• Service Area: Health (Physical, Mental)