Policy Director - Connecticut Health Foundation

The Connecticut Health Foundation is focused on health equity for people of color, and the policy director is the point person in determining how to best use policy to achieve the foundation’s goals. This individual plays a leading role in building strong relationships with those working on health policy at the state level, including policymakers and advocates, to advance foundation’s strategic goals and policy objectives.

Day-to-day responsibilities include developing, implementing, and monitoring strategy; formulating policy initiatives that advance the foundation’s mission; maintaining strong relationships with policymakers, advocacy grantees, and other constituents; and monitoring and formulating responses to relevant public policy issues.

The director of policy is a member of the program team and collaborates closely with the chief of staff and director of communications and the director of grantmaking to assure that policy activities are coordinated with the communications and research strategy and grantmaking. As a nonpartisan, private foundation, the Connecticut Health Foundation does not lobby and is committed to working with policymakers of all political affiliations.

The following is an outline of the director of policy’s responsibilities. These activities are listed based on estimated time and effort put into each area of work.

Health policy strategy development (approximately 40%)

• Advance the foundation’s mission and strategic plan by developing a public policy and advocacy strategy, including creating and updating the policy agenda
• Identify and develop strategies to respond to emerging health policy issues that are pertinent to the foundation’s objectives
• Monitor state and federal health policy activities related to Medicaid, health reform, maternal health, and other issues related to the foundation’s priority areas
• Collaborate with the communications team on the development and execution of public policy-related research and educational briefings
• Remain abreast of current research, activities, and assure the foundation is aware of the perspectives of various stakeholders on issues

Project management (approximately 35%)

• Work with the President and CEO, VP of Program, and the Board of Directors to develop, execute and evaluate the foundation’s policy strategy
• Provide staff support and leadership to the Board and Public Policy and Communications Committee
• Work closely with the program team to ensure the foundation’s policy work is closely aligned with grantmaking and communications activities
• Supervise consultants and vendors to accomplish objectives in a quality and cost-effective manner
• Manage special projects as assigned, including overseeing foundation events, such as convenings of advocacy grantees

Collaboration and building partnerships (approximately 25%)

• Cultivate strong relationships with government leaders, the health care community, advocates, grantees, and other funders
• Collaborate with the grantmaking team to provide technical assistance to CT Health grantees and partners
• Review and provide input on grant proposals, concept papers and reports
• Organize, facilitate, and attend convenings with colleagues, experts, stakeholders, grantees, and other partners
• Represent the foundation on advisory committees, steering committees, and working groups, as well as at community and grantee events
• Present foundation work at professional meetings and in publications, as needed.

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and health equity
• Seven or more years of experience in public policy, advocacy, government, or a related field; background in policy or advocacy desirable
• Experience working with a broad group of stakeholders, including public officials, health care, public health, nonprofit, advocacy, and funder communities
• Expertise in health care or public health and an understanding of the changing landscape of Medicaid, health care coverage, and health equity. Connecticut experience is a plus.
• Expertise in building capacity and training partners and grantees in policy and advocacy
• Self-motivated and able to work independently, and comfortable working in a collaborative environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to talk about complex ideas with a wide variety of audiences
• Able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Understanding of and commitment to systems change, equity, and diversity
• Excellent interpersonal skills: a leader, a team player, and listener

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