Senior Director, Medicaid Policy

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.

CBPP combines rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective advocacy to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation both nationally and in states. It works closely with a broad set of national, state, and community organizations to design and advance policies that promote economic justice; improve health; broaden opportunity in areas like housing, health care, employment, and education; and lower structural barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity. CBPP promotes policies that will build a more equitable nation and fair tax policies that can support these gains over the long term. CBPP also shows the harmful impacts of policies and proposals that would deepen poverty, widen disparities, and worsen health outcomes.

CBPP is seeking a Senior Director with substantial Medicaid expertise to join its health policy division. This person will lead CBPP’s federal Medicaid strategy and policy development and play a critical role in shaping its state-level agenda. The Senior Director will serve as a nationally recognized expert, cultivate relationships with policymakers and partners, and represent CBPP on high-priority issues. The CBPP Health team works to strengthen health coverage and improve access to care for people with low and moderate incomes; advance health equity through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act marketplaces; and secure adequate, sustainable, and progressive financing mechanisms for public health care.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a nationally recognized, trusted resource on the Medicaid program, sharing knowledge and analysis and providing technical assistance both within the organization and to external partners and audiences, including congressional staff, state and federal government officials, national and state advocates, the news media, researchers, and others.
• Direct CBPP’s strategy and policy development on Medicaid, in consultation with the Government Affairs team and other CBPP staff.
• Manage a senior policy analyst, working to ensure they accomplish their performance goals, and mentor and support the development of other staff’s programmatic and policy knowledge.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with partners and stakeholders, including government officials, health advocacy and equity-focused organizations, and other experts in Medicaid and health equity to advance CBPP’s policy and implementation goals.
• Analyze and influence the implementation of Medicaid policy and financing proposals, such as state waiver proposals and federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals advanced by policymakers, researchers, national and state partners, and others.
• Craft policies and strategies to improve and protect health coverage for enrollees and further expand affordable coverage and access to care for people who are uninsured or who have low incomes.
• Advance policies that promote health equity and racial justice and center the lives of people with lived experience of racism and discrimination, poverty, and low-paid work.
• Collaborate closely with other staff in the health policy division and in other CBPP departments.
• Perform other job-related duties within the role’s scope as assigned to support the team’s goals.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in Medicaid and health policy issues for people with low incomes and a successful track record of working to affect health policy outcomes at the federal or state level. This individual will bring a mix of the following skills and experiences:

• Bachelor’s degree required; a relevant advanced degree may substitute for up to two years of experience.
• At least ten years of relevant work experience working on policy or advocacy issues related to the Medicaid program.
• A minimum of three years of relevant work experience managing staff or teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage relationships with policymakers, government officials, partner organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate and share work, knowledge, and credit with colleagues.
• Excellent ability to communicate CBPP’s policies and messages, in writing and orally, to policymakers and members of the media.
• Experience and interest in program implementation at the federal or state levels.
• A profound understanding of the role that inequity and discrimination play in health policy, and a commitment to advancing equity in CBPP’s health policy work.
• Extensive experience developing and analyzing policy and programmatic options.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about opportunities to affect policy decisions and implementation, develop thoughtful work plans in collaboration with others, and to balance competing priorities and interests.
• Exceptional ability to respond to multiple demands in a complex, fast-paced, and rapidly changing policy environment.

This position reports to the Vice President for Health Policy.

Work Location and Hybrid Schedule Expectations: Employees are expected to work in the Washington, D.C. office for this position. CBPP is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule of two full in-office days (Tuesday and Wednesday) per week, as well as the first Thursday of each month in our Washington, D.C. office.

Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt.

Bargaining Unit Status: This is not a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary for this position ranges from $150,000 to $175,000 per year; pay is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience and internal pay equity. Excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP) and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

Please upload a cover letter, resume, and transcripts. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to CBPP’s mission.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.