Director of Cessation

Position Title: Director of Cessation

Location: Hybrid

Position End Date: 5/31/26

Salary: $89,000 plus benefits

Overview:

The CDC Foundation is seeking candidates for the Director of Cessation role assigned to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The Director of Cessation provides high-level leadership to expand the reach and impact of QuitlineNC, North Carolina’s tobacco cessation program, aiming to serve at least 2% of the state’s tobacco users. The role involves managing cessation programs statewide, overseeing QuitlineNC’s budget and vendor contracts, and fostering partnerships with health care providers, payers, employers, and community groups. It focuses on promoting evidence-based cessation services in alignment with national guidelines, supporting providers with expert consultation, and expanding cessation infrastructure.

This position is based in The Tobacco Prevention and Control (TPC) Branch within the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. TPC collaborates with and builds the capacity of partners, including state and local agencies, local health departments and community organizations, to plan and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce deaths and health problems due to tobacco use and secondhand smoke. TPC Branch’s four major goal areas are to decrease initiation of all tobacco and nicotine use among young people, eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke and aerosol emissions from e-cigarettes, promote and support quitting of tobacco and nicotine use, and advance health equity by identifying and eliminating commercial tobacco product-related inequities and disparities especially among young people.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years progressively responsible experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

· Expertise in the design, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based tobacco cessation services, particularly quitlines.

· Knowledge of tobacco addiction, cessation strategies, behavioral models, pharmacological treatments, healthcare systems, and clinical practices.

· Experience in data analysis, epidemiology, and the use of statistical evaluation.

· Experience in public health administration, including contract and budget management, grant writing, and program evaluation.

· Strong abilities in communication, training, report writing, and stakeholder engagement.

· Experience in developing tobacco cessation models and knowledge of public health principles, healthcare resources, and policy.

· Strong skills in critical thinking, problem solving, independent decision-making, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Responsibilities:

· Manage QuitlineNC vendor contract, ensuring delivery of confidential, evidence-based cessation services.

· Serve as a point of contact for partners, participants, and the public regarding QuitlineNC operations.

· Lead cessation program planning, policy development, and implementation of clinical guidelines.

· Provide statewide consultation and training on the 5 A’s model and QuitlineNC to healthcare providers.

· Evaluate healthcare cessation services and guide implementation of evidence-based models for inpatient/outpatient care.

· Analyze and distribute QuitlineNC usage data to stakeholders, ensuring compliance with relevant federal and state laws, regulations, and agency guidelines.

· Interpret research and implement updated cessation guidelines across healthcare settings.

· Monitor QuitlineNC vendor contract performance and to ensure deliverables are met.

· Promote QuitlineNC services to the public, healthcare providers, and other community partners through media campaigns, local health departments, and other channels.

· Provide expert guidance and training to staff, contractors, and partners on tobacco cessation best practices and Quitline operations.

· Build and maintain partnerships with local health departments, healthcare systems, and other organizations to enhance services.