Project Director, Public Health Data Improvement

Project Director, Public Health Data Improvement (Hybrid) 

The Government Performance Portfolio within Program 
 

Pew’s government performance work identifies and advances effective approaches to help solve complex challenges at all levels of government in the United States.  

The portfolio’s work can be traced back to our founders’ early efforts to improve the lives of Americans by supporting efforts that promoted health, civic engagement, and democratic ideals. Today, we conduct research on emerging topics, develop data-driven reports, and highlight innovative, non-partisan approaches in addressing complex problems at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the interplay that can occur between jurisdictions. Current initiatives focus on health, fiscal and economic policy, and safety and justice, and consider significant trends such as evolving technologies, and the increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States population. 

Our teams explore and advance effective, evidence-based policies using credible, timely, and accessible research, assessing public support for change, identifying approaches that have proved successful elsewhere, and bringing together diverse perspectives to find common ground. We work in collaboration with organizations that share our commitment to rigorous research, measurable results, and public service, and we focus on developing durable policy change. In addition, our teams use strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public.  

Public Health Data Improvement Project  

The Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew) recently launched a new public health data strategy focused on helping state public health agencies collect, analyze and use high quality data to better detect, prevent and treat the nation's costliest and deadliest diseases.  The Public Health Data Improvement (PHDI) Project is a foundational component that sits within this larger vision.  The PHDI team conducts research, provides technical assistance, and advocates for policies, resources, and public health department practices to enable the rapid and effective use of health care data to advance Americans’ well-being. Specifically, Pew works to: 

• Advocate for federal and state policies requiring that electronic health record systems automatically send standardized patient data to health agencies. 

• Build the evidence base to demonstrate the benefits of improving electronic data sharing for public health. 

• Research and share best practices to help public health agencies analyze and effectively use health care data.  

Position Overview 

The project director leads the project, including research, policy analysis, partnerships, stakeholder relationships, and advocacy efforts, collaborates with the director, health programs, to ensure alignment of the project with Pew’s public health strategy and identify opportunities to expand Pew’s public health data work, works closely with Pew’s communications and government relations to develop and execute strategies and tactics to achieve the project goals, serves as the lead spokesperson for the project, leads, manages, and facilitates professional development for the project’s staff, and assists with Pew priorities as needed. 

The position, based in Pew’s Washington, D.C., office, reports to the director, health programs, and will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week.  

 
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship. 

Responsibilities 

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.  

• Oversee the development, execution, and evolution of the strategy and tactics to achieve the project aim and objectives; collaborate with colleagues in government relations and communications to continually refine the strategy and tactics as external developments warrant. Develop objectives, establish milestones, and track progress toward goals in collaboration with the project team. Determine when the project is at risk of not meeting its goals and, when needed, work with the director, health programs, to resolve challenges. 

• Direct research, analysis, advocacy activities, partnership engagement, coalition-building, and relationships with external stakeholders to maximize the impact of project strategies. 

• Maintain and enhance knowledge of the current state of public health data exchange and infrastructure, including the capacity of state and local public health officials to analyze and use public health data, the relevant federal and state policies and political landscapes, and the relevant public, private, and advocacy stakeholders in the field. 

• Identify opportunities and develop proposals for potential expansion of Pew efforts to improve public health data infrastructure and the ability of states to apply data to improve health outcomes. 

• Lead and manage project staff, including providing timely and direct feedback, mentoring and coaching, and ensuring appropriate development opportunities. Hire staff as needed and build a cohesive team. 

• Respond to public inquiries and represent Pew at public forums and speaking engagements. 

• Serve as a good steward of Pew resources, including overseeing effective management of the project’s budget and contracts. 

• Ensure strict compliance with all federal, state and local lobbying and ethics laws. 

• Contribute to and participate in Pew-wide projects as requested. 

Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred. 

• Generally, ten years of applicable experience in health and/or public policy, including experience developing and executing objectives to advance policy change. Experience working with state or federal agencies and/or health information technology (e.g., electronic health record) vendors preferred. 

• Minimum three years of previous direct supervisory experience required, including experience managing performance management process for direct reports and providing career development advice and counsel. 

• Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the public health and health care data landscape, including familiarity with health information technology (e.g., electronic health records), interoperability, health data systems (e.g. Health Information Exchanges), relevant federal and state policies, and relevant stakeholders in the field. Relationships with key stakeholders preferred. 

• Demonstrated strategic thinking and analytical skills. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Proficiency in synthesizing large amounts of information and focusing quickly on the essence of an issue/problem, determining whether it is ripe for intervention, and identifying the means to address it. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills.  Productive relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and partners. 

• An excellent listener who is comfortable working productively and diplomatically with a wide array of different people and institutions that frequently disagree and are in competition with one another. Excellent written and oral communications skills. 

• Aptitude to think strategically and creatively. Uses strategic and creative thinking, juggles multiple priorities, adjusts to changing circumstances, organizes time, and remains attentive to details. 

• Seasoned judgment, makes and justifies strategic recommendations, is responsive, clear and firm with colleagues, partners, and external stakeholders.