Senior Policy Director - The Health Initiative

ABOUT THE HEALTH INITIATIVE:

Founded in 2018, The Health Initiative (THI) is a nonprofit organization that catalyzes new conversations about – and new investments in – the known drivers of health. The U.S. spends ~$12 billion every day on healthcare – even though only ~20% of health outcomes are tied to clinical care. This disconnect is increasingly untenable. Even pre-COVID, 24% of those with commercial health insurance still lacked adequate food, housing, or other basics – driving up healthcare costs.

THI works relentlessly to achieve our vision of a health-based economy that equitably invests our country’s public and private dollars in health, not just healthcare – and our aim of increased investments in the known drivers of health, including healthy food, safe homes, and well-paying jobs.

As instigator and advisor, THI works intensively with public and private healthcare institutions that control billions of dollars and impact millions of lives (health insurers, federal agencies, state departments of health and human services, and foundations) to partner with communities to invest in health, not just healthcare. With THI’s guidance, these institutions make investing in health central to their strategy, business model, and operations – and engage with communities to mobilize and align resources for healthy food, safe homes, and well-paying jobs while building community wealth and addressing historical health disparities. The THI leadership team has dedicated their careers to improving healthcare--offering critical insights into and experience with the drivers of health, healthcare delivery, and healthcare policy.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Health Initiative (THI) seeks a creative and detail-oriented Senior Policy Director. This team member brings highly technical knowledge on healthcare payment systems with an ability to translate technical information into practical opportunities for investment in the drivers of health. They will be both creative in radically re- imagining the mechanisms to realize THI’s mission and persuasive in communicating the details to allow others to follow the path.

The role is responsible for three primary functions:

• Analyze and evaluate technical materials (e.g. federal rules) to identify potential insights and implications for THI’s aim of increased investments in health
• Lead and/or support the development of technical content and communications (e.g., briefings, presentations, reports) as stand-alone reports or as inputs to broader program work
• Oversee literature reviews and research scans to support THI’s work

A successful candidate will thrive in the fast-paced context of issue-based campaigns and/or start-up environments and have a deep understanding of federal, state and private payment policy. We seek candidates with excellent communication skills and strong attention to detail.

The position reports to the Chief Campaign Officer, Christina Gunther-Murphy, who oversees THI’s programmatic work, and will be a close collaborator with Rocco Perla and Rebecca Onie, THI’s Co-CEO's. THI’s Research Associates are dotted-line reports to the position. As part of a small organization, the Senior Policy Director will also engage other staff in fulfilling responsibilities. All staff at THI work collaboratively and across functions to deliver on our mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Policy Director supports the Co-CEO's and Chief Campaign Officer in providing technically accurate and creative ideas to fund increased investments in the drivers of health. Given the dynamic nature of the organization, the responsibilities below are reflective but not exhaustive of what you should expect in the role.

Ongoing Responsibilities:

• Staff and advise THI’s Co-CEO's and Chief Campaign Officer on policy analysis (e.g. recommend data sources, prepare briefs on upcoming milestones)
• Create technical policy work and/ or oversee work done by others internally and externally to ensure it is accurate, complete, and clear (e.g. prepare public comments on legislative amendments, draft articles on drivers of health, prepare evidence-based rebuttals, surface potential mechanisms within existing legislation for payers to invest in health, and create persuasive and clear arguments on the evidence and rationale for doing so)
• Manage up, down, and sideways for effective execution and implementation of your own ideas or the ideas of others
• Develop systems to regularly scan the policy environment for information relevant to THI’s work. Surface information that either supports or challenges our mission and aim
• Provide technical policy mentorship to support professional growth of Research Associates and other members of the program team

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work.

We are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications, experiences, and behaviors listed below.

• Eight + years of experience in healthcare payment policy at state, federal, or private health plan. Consulting experience may be applicable if focused on health payment policy
• Strong writing skills, including ability to adapt technical content to diverse audiences and communicate persuasively
• Ability to translate goals and objectives into tactics
• Good judgment; ability to recognize and successfully navigate ambiguity
• Scrupulous attention to detail coupled with recognition that creativity and flexibility are essential for long term success
• Commitment to and deep understand of the mission, vision, and values of THI and their impact on healthcare
• Concise verbal communications; willingness to make clear recommendations and to ask questions to clarify points of view or illuminate options
• The ability to work independently and as a team member
• A talent for prioritizing and managing multiple projects with short-, medium-, and long-term deadlines; ability to successfully meet deadlines consistently
• Strong strategic and systems thinking skills, combined with an entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to do whatever it takes to get projects over the line.
• Continuous improvement mindset, ability to learn and use new systems and technology
• Equity-minded individual who displays an informed and thoughtful commitment to diversity and inclusion both internally and externally

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

THI offers a comprehensive benefits package. The salary for this position is $175,00-$205,000 depending upon experience. THI has a no-negotiation compensation policy. In addition to a competitive salary, THI also offers:

• Full coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee and family 
• Generous 401K matching and parental leave
• Unlimited sustainable vacation and sick time

This is a full-time, exempt role with some flexible evening and weekend work expected and is fully remote within the US. THI prefers staff to work eastern time zone hours.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

The Health Initiative values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual identity, veteran status or any other status protected by law. People of color, LGBTQ identified people, gender non-conforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

All applicants should apply through our posting on Positively Partners’ website. Please send your resume and a cover letter linking your skills and experience to this position description. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted beginning October 4, 2024. Early submission is encouraged.