About The Health Initiative (THI):

The U.S. spends ~$14 billion every day on healthcare, even though ~80% of health outcomes are tied to drivers of health like access to healthy food, safe homes, and well-paying jobs. THI works to unlock existing healthcare dollars to invest in these basics that people need to be healthy.

We work intensively with state, federal, and private healthcare institutions that control billions of dollars and impact millions of lives to spur them to invest in health – and, at the same time, mobilize stakeholders (many historically excluded from financial/policy pathways) to challenge these institutions to act.

THI’s work reflects a potential win-win-win: people and communities secure the resources necessary to be healthy; taxpayers and the government save on healthcare costs; and private health plans improve their bottom line.

THI’s efforts have unlocked $650M+ in healthcare dollars to pay for healthy food, rent, and other basics; secured $50M+ in annual wage increases for frontline healthcare workers; and spurred policy changes ensuring that 35M+ Americans are asked annually by their healthcare providers whether they are struggling with food, housing, or other basics.

THI’s team has dedicated our lives to creating productive change and to disrupting the healthcare system. We have led and worked in federal healthcare agencies, health policy organizations, community-based clinics, healthcare delivery systems, and quality improvement organizations.

About the Position:

THI seeks a results-oriented, seasoned Senior Policy Director who is passionate about THI’s aim of increasing investments in healthy food, safe housing, and other drivers of health; has significant experience in healthcare payment policy at the state or federal level and/or at a private health plan; and excels at translating technical information into practical opportunities for action.

This role will be creative in re-imagining how healthcare mechanisms can be leveraged to pay for and invest in the drivers of health and persuasive in communicating this approach to others. A successful candidate will thrive in the fast-paced context of issue-based campaigns and/or start-up environments.

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-CEOs. THI’s Research Associates are dotted-line reports to the position. All staff at THI work collaboratively and across functions to deliver on our aim.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Chief Campaign Officer and co-CEOs in identifying, developing, and executing on technically accurate and creative policy ideas to achieve THI’s aim of unlocking healthcare dollars to increase investments in the drivers of health;

• Analyze and synthesize state and federal regulations, legislation, white papers, research, and other sources to identify opportunities and inform THI’s tactics and strategies;

• Lead and/or support the development of high-quality, compelling content and communications (e.g., briefings, articles, public comments, presentations, reports) for diversity of stakeholders (e.g., federal and state policymakers, health plan executives, think tanks, researchers, funders);

• Direct, oversee, and provide feedback on technical content prepared internally (by THI’s Research Associates or other staff) or externally (by THI’s partners/sub-contractors) to ensure it is accurate, complete, and clear; and

• Develop systems to regularly monitor the policy environment for information relevant to THI’s work.

Given the dynamic nature of the organization, the responsibilities above are reflective but not exhaustive of what to expect in the role.

Who We’re Looking For:

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications, experiences, and behaviors listed below.

• 10+ years of experience in healthcare payment policy at the state or federal level and/or at a private health plan (consulting experience may be applicable if focused on healthcare payment policy);

• Strong understanding and knowledge of Medicare (e.g., Medicare Advantage), Medicaid (e.g., Medicaid Managed Care), and Marketplace (e.g., Exchange), as well as familiarity with key health reform initiatives such as those coming out of the CMS Innovation Center;

• Strong writing skills, including ability to adapt technical content to diverse audiences and communicate persuasively;

• Concise verbal communications; willingness to make clear recommendations and to ask questions to clarify points of view or illuminate options;

• Scrupulous attention to detail and commitment to high-quality execution of tasks, coupled with creativity and flexibility;

• Leads with full accountability for their responsibilities and expects others to do the same;

• A talent for prioritizing and managing multiple projects to meet short-, medium-, and long-term deadlines;

• Embodies a growth mindset, including a commitment to receiving and providing feedback, data-driven learning, and learning/using new systems and tools;

• Relishes operating in a fluid, exceptionally fast-paced, complex environment; unflappable in the face of ambiguity and limited, evolving information;

• Persists in tackling hard problems and tracking down solutions;

• Confident in leading with a point of view and recommendations and making difficult decisions, while willing to course correct and change position as necessary;

• Capable of building transformative relationships with a diversity of internal and external stakeholders, based on humility, reliability, openness, humor, and confidence;

• A consummate team member who takes pride in collective accomplishments and not their own need for recognition;

• “All in” – fully committed to THI’s vision and values.

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; and

• Unlimited sustainable vacation and sick time.

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

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.