Director — Behavioral Health and Workforce

Are you passionate about helping states develop innovative solutions to some of the most pressing health issues they face?  Then consider joining NASHP as director of behavioral health and workforce and assume a leadership role for this critical area of policy work!

About us — The National Academy for State Health Policy — NASHP — is a nonpartisan, nonprofit forum of policymakers from across the spectrum of state governments, leading and implementing innovative solutions to states’ health policy challenges. At NASHP, we engage state leaders to solve problems and share solutions, conduct policy analyses and research, leverage state expertise to develop model policy solutions, disseminate information on state policies and programs, and provide technical assistance to states. We have an immediate opening for a director to join our growing behavioral health and workforce portfolio. 

About you — You are a professional with at least 10 years of post-bachelor’s experience, who is organized and detail-oriented, a skilled communicator with excellent writing and analytic skills, and who thrives in a dynamic work environment, engaging in multiple projects at a time. You have a strong foundation and substantive experience in a state health policy and in understanding behavioral health and workforce. Ideally, you have management experience that includes overseeing large projects, designing technical assistance for state leaders and supporting a team to execute. You understand the complexities of behavioral health and workforce and the different approaches state policymakers have and are using to improve the health of the state residents they serve.

How you will spend your time — You will develop projects and project work plans, assist in the implementation of work plans, and ensure timely delivery of work products and activities encompassed in those work plans. This may include but is not necessarily limited to project management, conducting research, analysis and writing of reports, convening and supporting learning collaboratives or networks, and staffing advisory committees, seminars, and conferences. As a director, you will have supervisory duties, with day-to-day oversight of policy associates’ and research analysts’ work on projects and will mentor more junior NASHP staff. Reporting to senior and executive level staff, you will oversee project planning and implementation, including the development and management of project budgets. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with NASHP’s senior directors, other NASHP staff, and state leaders to develop and implement behavioral health and workforce projects that advance state goals of improving care provided to individuals across public and private programs
• Working independently and as part of a team to conduct and oversee policy analyses, literature reviews, policy scans, surveys, key informant interviews, case studies, and focus groups; write relevant analytic pieces that are targeted for specific state policymakers and other stakeholders; and design technical assistance opportunities
• Planning agendas and facilitating meetings (via conference call 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, and other key collaborators
• Developing, coordinating, and providing technical assistance to state leaders
• Representing NASHP and relevant project work at meetings and conferences, presenting or speaking at such events as appropriate
• Assuring timely delivery of thoughtful, quality analytic products
• Staying abreast of relevant literature, national policy, and state activity relevant to the health policy work of NASHP, with particular attention paid to behavioral health and workforce
• Participating in NASHP staff teamwork of planning and implementing NASHP’s annual conference
• Developing grant proposals
• Periodically traveling to states for site visits, meetings, and research

This position will be filled by a candidate who has significant experience in state health policy. Core competencies include:

• Relevant work experience and Master’s degree or other graduate degree in health finance, public policy, law, or related areas, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Substantial relevant, real-world experience in behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorder) and health care workforce
• Experience with state government and state officials, preferably through direct work experience or through policy or analytic experience closely tied to state health programs
• Demonstrated understanding of state health policy and how ideas can be translated into practical policy solutions
• Strong 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
• Qualified to work in the United States

Working at NASHP — We are currently operating in a hybrid work arrangement, with two days in person, in the office each week. We require all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and boosted.

NASHP has offices in both Washington, DC and in Portland, Maine. Individuals located in DC and Portland Maine are preferred; but we will consider applicants who reside outside those areas (and who would be full time remote workers).

The salary range for directors is $98,939 to $133,859; your salary will be commensurate with your experience.

NASHP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 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

To Apply

Please email your resume in confidence to:

Andrew Zalman
Search Light Solutions
andrew@searchls.com

NASHP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or military or veteran status, in accordance with all applicable laws. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment and are committed to building a diverse workforce and leadership team. All people are encouraged and welcomed to apply.