Substance Use Disorder Strategic Planning Manager

Summary

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.

The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences.

At King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), we believe in working as one team that solves problems - striving to be customer-focused and drive for the best results. We envision a welcoming community that is racially just. We believe the field of human services exists to undo and mitigate unfair structures. We seek to lead the way by working as respectful and responsible stewards for our community.

King County is seeking a collaborative and equity-driven leader to serve as the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division’s (BHRD) substance use disorder (SUD) strategic leader and subject matter expert to guide the County’s SUD policy, planning, and system-level initiatives. This leader will coordinate complex SUD-related projects and programs that have a direct impact on people’s lives, drive implementation of the County’s overdose prevention and SUD strategic objectives, and represent King County in public-facing efforts related to SUD treatment and prevention. They will provide senior level leadership for critical programs, including the Bridge SUD-related initiatives - while cultivating strong partnerships with providers, peer-led organizations, Public Health, and government partners to advance a more equitable, connected, and recovery-oriented system. The role requires a person-centered communicator who brings deep SUD expertise, provides clear strategic direction, leads and supports staff through an equity lens, and uses data to inform decisions, strengthen operations, and shape future service models such as the Sobering/Metabolizing Center. The SUD Manager will report directly to BHRD’s Deputy Director as part of the Division’s leadership team.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Managing large-scale, complex projects supporting substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery, and oversee the direction and coordination of King County’s SUD system, including overdose response and recovery, treatment services, and system improvement initiatives.
• Provide senior level leadership over the Emergency Services Patrol and Behavioral Health Outreach Program and other teams, as needed, with a focus on collaboration, transparency, integrity, and aligning actions with established strategic plans, King County’s ACTIVATE values and BHRD’s commitment to equity, racial and social justice.
• Driving systems change and successfully implementing SUD-related projects through strong partnerships with providers, Public Health, peer-led organizations, consumers, and local/state government leaders to build a more equitable, connected, and recovery-oriented behavioral health system.
• Monitoring project and service performance, using data to guide decisions, and implement strategies for continuous improvement across SUD programs.

We are Looking For:

• A champion for recovery, overdoes prevention, racial equity and social justice who can translate strategic plans and values into action by managing projects through successful implementation.
• A person-centered leader who understands our clients, staff, and partners and fosters a supportive, safe environment grounded in authenticity and integrity
• Someone who deeply understands SUD services and programs - both the day-to-day and the broader systems context.
• A steady and clear communicator who can keep teams and people aligned and connected around a shared vision, culture and operations.
• A leader who uses data to guide decisions and strengthens operations by building clear structures and systems that support the work.

Job Duties To be considered minimally qualified applicant must demonstrate a background that provides the knowledge, skills and ability to: Serve as the BHRD Strategic Leader on Substance Use Disorder

• Serve as the BHRD strategic leader on substance use disorder projects, policy and planning.
• Coordinate across the Division, Department and with other County Departments to successfully deliver projects and achieve the County’s SUD and overdose prevention strategic objectives.
• As requested, participate in public-facing meetings and events to represent the County’s goals and work related to substance use disorder treatment and prevention.
• Maintain updated subject matter expertise on substance use disorder treatment and prevention best practices, pilot models and state/federal policy changes.

Lead, direct, and oversee the development and implementation of BHRD’s SUD efforts:

• Operationalize projects, strategies and lines of work that further King County Overdose Response Strategy, Bridge, and BHRD’s Strategic Plan, in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate strategic planning meetings with internal and external stakeholders to inform projects, strategic priorities, budget estimates, policy decisions and implementation plans.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Division staff, department leadership, County Executive staff, and other County departments related to substance use disorder policy and planning.
• Lead Division implementation of key SUD initiatives and large-scale complex projects, such as expansion of mobile medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment, naloxone distribution and expansion of SUD treatment options (residential care and withdrawal management).
• Coordinate internally with Provider Relations, Fiscal, Contracts & Procurement and other teams as necessary, to implement SUD Strategic Plan initiatives and projects.
• Provide leadership and coordination for all SUD-focused initiatives within Bridge, including youth and adult SUD response and prevention initiatives, and peer-led initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of a SUD workforce development strategy and projects, in coordination with BHRD Workforce Development Manager.

Provide Senior Level Leadership to SUD-related Staff and Programming:

• Provide senior level people leadership with a focus on collaboration over teams and/or individuals providing direct service to individuals in crisis and/or are in need of behavioral health services or resources.
• Supervise the Opiate Response Manager and provide leadership to manage the Bridge SUD initiatives, contracts and budget.
• Maintain responsibility for programmatic budgets for all supervised staff and programs, and coordinate with appropriate internal stakeholders to ensure that State and local funding for existing programs is maintained.
• Lead and coach staff and programs under the incumbent’s supervision to ensure work is aligned with the goals of the King County Equity and Social Justice Plan to continue to lead and support equity and social justice principles into policies, practices and actions.
• Be a champion of equity, providing advice and cultivating a culture that allows all members of the team to contribute and thrive.
• Inspire and exemplify excellence.

Site and Refine the Service Model for the King County Sobering Center and Manage Provider Relationships:

• Serve as the project and programmatic BHRD lead to site a permanent Sobering/Metabolizing Center in King County, in partnership with BHRD’s Capital Projects Manager - ensuring the site and related operations meet community needs and service delivery goals.
• Provide recommendations to Department Leadership and County Executive staff regarding service model, budget and related stakeholder engagement with Cities and neighbors.
• Conduct external stakeholder engagement as needed with Cities and neighbors to support the siting process and program model.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

WE ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE:

• Significant experience working in substance use disorder programming and policymaking in King County or Washington State, at a nonprofit, government, provider or insurance organization.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the King County substance use disorder provider network, including outpatient providers, withdrawal management providers and Opiate Treatment Providers (OTPs)
• Deep knowledge of, and proven implementation of equity and social justice principles and practices and understanding of the effects of race and policy and systems-based inequities on marginalized communities and populations.
• Strong experience in project management, including managing multiple complex and time sensitive projects concurrently
• Demonstrated experience developing policy documents and/or strategic plans
• Ability to coordinate, schedule and facilitate effective and efficient meetings with cross-section staff, and follow through on action items to ensure completion
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships across multiple sectors and perspectives to identify and act upon shared goals
• Increasingly senior experience in managing, interacting, recruiting, and promoting accountability with and within diverse staff teams.
• Proven ability to plan and manage within formally supervised teams and matrix managed teams
• Knowledge of King County’s recovery-oriented system of care and Bridge SUD-related initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working with a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Desired qualifications:

• Prior experience siting and developing behavioral health facilities in King County
• Possess clinical licensure as a substance use disorder professional (SUDP)
• Prior experience developing strategic plans/strategies specific to SUD needs

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

• This position has been designated Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
• The SUD Strategic Planning Manager works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is Chinook, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.
• This position is not represented by a union.
• Classification: Strategic Planning Manager I

WHO MAY APPLY:

This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around the week of December 14, 2026. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the requested and relevant information in the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state, "see my resume" are considered incomplete and will not be considered to be competitive. If you have any questions, please contact Alicia Larsen, alarsen@kingcounty.gov.

This selection process will fill our current vacancy but also create a pool of qualified candidates should additional Strategic Planning Manager I positions open up within the next 6 months.

Supplemental Information Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Application Process If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Alicia Larsen at alarsen@kingounty.gov. King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us. King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Benefits

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.