Assistant Director of Rural Health Programs
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on Mar 21, 2026
Assistant Director of Rural Health Programs
- 497861
- Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
- Rural Health
- Hybrid
- Rural Health
- Full-time Staff
- Closing on: Apr 5 2026
Salary/Position Classification
- $78,400 + Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
- 40 hours per week
- 100% Remote Work Availability: No
- Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): Yes, negotiable
- Work location must be within a commutable distance from the UND main campus located in Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Travel within North Dakota is required for this position.
Purpose of Position
The incumbent will support projects across the Center for Rural Health’s broad portfolio of work, which is funded by federal, state, foundation, and community agencies. Reporting to the CRH Director, in this senior role the incumbent will assist with the development and implementation of strategic initiatives within the Center, provide initial project management during startup/hiring phases of new or transitioning programs, and provide interim supervisory and operational coverage as needed due to staffing fluctuations across the Center’s projects.
Duties & Responsibilities
Provide operational oversight to strategic initiatives.
- Support the conceptualization, development, and implementation of strategic initiatives aligned with the overarching goals of the Center and/or relevant funded programs.
- Support cross-initiative alignment, coordinating across programs to ensure the Center provides the highest quality of services while avoiding unintended duplication, gaps, or conflicts.
- Establish internal processes for supporting the ideation, vetting, and prioritizing innovation initiatives.
- Assist with operational planning for emerging initiatives, including timeline development, sequencing of activities, and identification of staffing and infrastructure needs.
- Contribute to the preparation of internal proposals, concept papers, sponsor-facing narratives, and implementation plans related to new strategic directions, as appropriate.
- Monitor early progress of new strategic initiatives and provide feedback regarding readiness, risks, and resource implications.
Oversee startup of new and transitioning projects.
- Provide project management to new or transitioning projects during early implementation phases.
- Develop and oversee workflows, timelines, reporting structures, and coordination processes until permanent project leadership is established.
- Support effective project handoff to long-term project leadership.
- Support in-place project leadership as needed during project startup and transition phases.
Provide interim supervisory and operational coverage.
- Temporarily provide supervisory/management, coordination, and/or operational support across projects during periods of staff vacancy, extended leave, or transition as well as during times of enhanced personnel need.
- Maintain continuity of key project functions to minimize disruption to timelines, deliverables, and sponsor expectations.
- Provide short-term stabilization support while permanent staffing solutions are identified and onboarded.
Participate in professional activities.
- Participate in Center for Rural Health meetings.
- Develop and manage special projects and other job-related duties, as assigned.
- Participate on committees, make presentations, and publish appropriate research or accomplishments, as assigned.
- Keep current on the latest developments in the field and areas of interest related to the position through reading and other communications.
- Contribute to the advancement of the profession and status of the Center for Rural Health.
Required Competencies
- Knowledge of rural health dynamics.
- Ability to connect resources, empower interested persons or organizations, and take on leadership roles.
- Ability to accurately type, proof, edit, and format reports and manuscripts.
- Ability to apply UND and federal grant policies and procedures.
- Customer service skills.
- Strong computer aptitude.
- Skills and ability using the internet and search engines.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.
- Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to be self-directed.
- High level of attention-to-detail and the ability to generate timely work products.
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task, take initiative, and to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
- Must be able to travel to national, regional, or local events/meetings across North Dakota.
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree.
- Five years’ experience working in program and/or organizational management. Must substantiate years of experience in a statement provided as part of cover letter.
- Two years supervisory experience. Must substantiate years of experience in a statement provided as part of cover letter.
- Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom, WebEx (or similar).
- Cover letter substantiating required years of experience
- Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in health or management/administration field.
- Experience working in project or grant management for federal and/or state funded initiatives.
- Experience working with rural health stakeholder groups.
- Experience with strategic planning, operations management, and/or program implementation design.
- Experience organizing and tracking programmatic information and writing programmatic reports.
To Apply
Cover letter and resume are required. Applicant materials must substantiate five years of experience working in program and/or organizational management and two years supervisory experience as detailed in minimum requirements.
