Aging & Disability Director

About National Academy For State Health Policy

The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of, by, and for state policymakers, committed to developing and advancing health policy innovations and solutions.

At NASHP, we engage state leaders to solve problems and share best practices, conduct policy analyses and research, leverage state expertise to develop model policies, disseminate information on state policies and programs, and provide technical assistance to states.

We have an immediate opening for a Program Director to join our growing Aging & Disability (A&D) team.

Position Overview

NASHP’s Director is responsible for providing in-depth policy analysis and technical assistance to states on multiple state aging and disability areas including caregiving; Medicaid long-term services and supports; direct care workforce; palliative care; nursing home reform; and other emerging areas. The Director will be a subject matter expert on both Medicare and Medicaid and support working groups of state officials by providing technical expertise to advance actionable policies. The Director should also be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment across multiple projects that involve policy research, writing, and in-person meeting planning as well as engaging with federal and state policymakers. Additionally, the Director will have responsibilities for grant writing and funder relationships.

The primary responsibilities of the Director include working with NASHP’s leadership to develop thoughtful and successful approaches for supporting state officials who are seeking to improve the health and well-being of older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Tasks include but are not necessarily limited to the research and writing of white papers on issues critical to the policy area, supporting learning collaboratives of diverse state officials, providing targeted technical assistance to state officials, and giving speeches at meetings and conferences.

Directors will be assigned supervisory duties, with day-to-day oversight of policy associates’ and research analysts’ work on specific tasks or projects, and will mentor other, more junior NASHP staff. Working with senior and executive level staff, the director may oversee all aspects of project planning and implementation, including the development and management of project budgets.

This is a full-time position, based in NASHP’s Washington, DC office.

Primary Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with NASHP’s senior director for the Aging & Disability team and other NASHP staff to develop and implement projects that advance state goals
• Overseeing, guiding, and conducting policy analyses, writing relevant analytic pieces that are targeted for specific state policymakers and other collaborators, and provide related technical assistance
• Planning agendas and facilitating meetings (virtual and in person) ranging from small work groups to larger symposia
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with state and federal program administrators, national policy organizations, experts, funders, and other key collaborators
• Representing NASHP and relevant project work at meetings and conferences, presenting or speaking at such events as appropriate
• Assisting in developing and helping to oversee federal and private foundation grant proposals and contracts
• Other duties as necessary

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 15 years of relevant work experience, having inquired in-depth knowledge and expertise (including with Medicare and Medicaid, and grant funding). Experience with state government preferred.
• Master’s degree or other graduate degree in gerontology, economics, public health, public policy, law, or related areas, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Management experience that includes designing technical assistance for state leaders and supporting a team to execute it

Core Competencies

The ideal candidate:

• Has substantial knowledge of and experience with Aging & Disability systems, including Medicare, Medicaid, and state health policy
• Has demonstrated understanding of state health policy and how ideas can be translated into practical policy solutions, including understanding financing and state policy levers related to Aging & Disability
• Has strong analytic and qualitative research skills
• Is organized, detail oriented, and able to manage a complex workload comprised of multiple projects
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Some travel will be required.

Working at NASHP

NASHP offers a flexible work schedule. We are currently operating in a hybrid work arrangement, with one to two days in the office each week, depending on distance from the office. Our office is located in Washington, DC.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $105,000 - $145,000 annually. Salary is commensurate with experience.

NASHP offers exceptional employee benefits that include:

• A 35-hour work week
• Generous paid time off, including a sabbatical benefit
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• A generous retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• A paid parental leave benefit
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transportation stipend

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