Director of Health Promotion

Tufts University invites applications for the position of Director of Health Promotion. Please review the Application Instructions (below), including details for the letter of interest, to be fully considered.

The start date for this position will be on or after July 1, 2025.

Division of Student Life is responsible for the intellectual, social, and holistic development of Tufts students outside of the classroom and works closely with staff and faculty to create a unique and powerful experience for the entire student body. Within the Division, Health & Wellness supports and promotes the health and wellbeing of AS&E undergraduate and graduate students.

Health & Wellness, within Student Life, is comprised of Counseling and Mental Health Service, Health Service, Health Promotion, Center for Awareness, Resources, and Education, and Administration and Operations. Health and Wellness (H&W) contributes to the educational mission of the university through promoting student wellbeing via clinical, educational, and consultative services. Serving a diverse student body of 8,000+ undergraduate and graduate students, H&W is committed to providing excellent care and support in a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally informed environment. We bring energy, expertise, and a collaborative approach to the provision of medical and mental health care and prevention services. We are active and visible throughout campus conducting training, outreach and liaison work, and serving as active members of Student Life.

This area has responsibility for health compliance, state and federal health requirements, health insurance, HIPAA and other privacy concerns, and risk management. Our combined staff is approximately 60 individuals with diverse medical, mental health and public health backgrounds.

Reporting to the Executive Director Health & Wellness, the Director of Health Promotion (DHP) will lead the strategy for an implementation of comprehensive health promotion initiatives for Arts, Sciences & Engineering graduate and undergraduate students on the Medford/Somerville and Fenway campuses at Tufts University. The DHP is a collaboration-oriented colleague who is committed to socio-ecological and harm reduction approaches to student health and well-being. The DHP provides expertise in public health and health promotion as a member of Health and Wellness within Tufts Student Life.

Responsibilities include:

• Sets the vision and strategy for health promotion goals and initiatives in partnership with Executive Director of Health and Wellness, AOD and Mental Health Promotion Specialists, Dean of Students Office, and campus colleagues
• Oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-informed health promotion strategies, policies, programs, and services based on campus needs and priorities
• Engages in coalition building with key stakeholders on and off campus to develop a multidisciplinary approach to health and well-being for students
• Practices cultural responsiveness and incorporate social justice concepts and principles into health promotion
• Supervises professional staff and graduate and undergraduate student workers, including evaluating staff and student performance and setting professional and personal goals with staff and students
• Develops, implements, and advocates for campus policies that advance and promote health and well-being and reduce health inequities
• Directs the development and implementation of campus-wide assessments to determine health needs, assets, and priorities
• Serves as a member of the Health and Wellness leadership team
• Manages the operating budgets under Health Promotion
• Collaborates with other colleagues in the Division of Student Life on policies, programs, and initiatives that cross multiple departments
• Provides health information through presentations, workshops, online modules, and other interactive formats for students
• Guides health literacy and social marketing strategies to promote well-being and engagement in health promotion programs and services in conjunction with Student Life Communication Team

Application Instructions: To receive full consideration, interested individuals should apply online (Tufts Careers) and include: 1) a resume and 2) a letter of interest. The letter should address/include:

• How your work experiences will help you be successful in the role
• Articulate your approach to health promotion in higher ed, and what's influenced your thinking
• An example of a success you're proud of OR an experience that didn't work out, but learned from

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills typically acquired through completion of a master's degree in public health, health promotion, health education, or related field. Licensed medical and mental health practitioners will be considered only with additional significant training in and knowledge of population-level strategies for health promotion
• A minimum of five years of progressive responsibility in health promotion or related field
• Knowledge of issues impacting young adult populations including sexual health, substance use, gender identity and expression, disordered eating, and mental health and distress
• Demonstrated experience with cultural responsiveness and social justice approaches to health and well-being
• Supervision or mentorship of a team or individuals (structured supervision of undergraduate and graduate student workers will be considered)
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative needs assessments and program planning and evaluation
• Able to articulate their philosophy and approach to health promotion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seven or more years of progressive responsibility in health promotion or related field
• Work experience in higher education
• Two or more years of mentorship or supervision of professional staff
• Doctoral degree in public health, health behavior, or related field
• Knowledge of liberatory practices in health, such as Health at Every Size, healing justice, restorative practices, etc.
• Participation in research and professional writing, publications, and/or presentations