Project Director – Population Health Team
The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) seeks an experienced project director to join its Population Health Team. The successful candidate will lead and manage initiatives designed to support states in integrating public health, social services and comprehensive health system transformation, including a focus on health equity and Medicaid delivery systems. Specific topics include addressing health through housing, increasing immunization rates among vulnerable populations, and ensuring more meaningful hospital community benefit and community building investments that align with state public health priorities and address social determinants of health.
Prior experience in state government is preferred and the ability to develop and support practical solutions that states can implement is a must. The successful candidate will be a strong team player who is adept at working with a team, supervising and overseeing the work of other NASHP staff.
NASHP is a nonpartisan forum of policymakers throughout state governments, learning, leading and implementing innovative solutions to health policy challenges. To accomplish our mission, we convene state leaders to solve problems and share solutions; conduct policy analyses and research; disseminate information on state policies and programs; and provide technical assistance to states.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Work in collaboration with the team’s senior program director and other NASHP staff to develop, implement, and manage grant initiatives focused on specific policy areas.
- Working independently and as part of a team, design and conduct policy studies and analyses, which may include literature reviews and syntheses, surveys, key informant interviews, case studies and focus groups.
- Plan agendas and facilitate meetings ranging from small advisory groups to larger symposia.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with state policy makers, program administrators, national policy organizations, subject matter experts and other key stakeholders.
- Coordinate and provide responses to state requests for technical assistance.
- Represent NASHP and relevant project work at meetings and conferences, presenting or speaking at such events, as appropriate.
- Assure timely delivery of quality products and compliance with all funder requirements, to include effective oversight and management of project budgets, as directed by the senior program director.
- Stay abreast of relevant literature, national policy and state activity relevant to the health policy work of NASHP, with particular attention paid to those issues directly related to the Project Director’s assigned policy areas.
- As directed by the Senior Program Director or Executive management, assist in developing grant proposals, including development of project activities, budgets and work plans.
- Participate in NASHP staff teamwork of planning and implementing NASHP’s annual conference, including planning content and securing speakers for conference, pre-conference and ancillary sessions.
- As directed by the senior program director, supervise policy associates and/or research analysts working on projects to which the project director is assigned.
- Serve as a mentor to more junior staff, helping them develop experience and skills relevant to their work at NASHP, facilitating their professional development.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Although NASHP has currently suspended work-related travel due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, it expects that travel will eventually again be required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Relevant work experience and Master’s degree or other graduate degree in public policy, public health, law or related areas, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Substantial knowledge of state health policy required, particularly as related to Medicaid delivery systems, social determinants of health, and health equity, and particularly related to health and housing, immunization, and community benefit, and an understanding of how to translate ideas into practical policy solutions
- Demonstrated strengths in analytic and qualitative research skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
- Leadership experience
- Ability to manage a complex workload comprised of multiple projects
- Experience with state government strongly preferred
To Apply
Applicants are invited to submit a copy of their current resume as well as a cover letter describing in detail, their interest in this position and the organization and salary expectations. Applications should be submitted electronically to search@nashp.org. Please be certain to put “Project Director – Population Health” in the subject line of your email.
Committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, NASHP considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identify, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.