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Full Time

Senior Director, Strategic Health Resource Center

The Jewish Federations of North America Washington DC

DEPARTMENT:  Washington, DC Office
REPORTS TO:   Managing Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations

 

BACKGROUND 

The Jewish Federations of North America (“JFNA”) consist of 146 Jewish Federations and dozens of Network communities which collectively raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually to support flourishing Jewish life and the needs of the Jewish people in their home communities and around the world. The Jewish Federation system, among the top 10 charities on the continent, leads the largest network of volunteer and professional leaders who build and sustain Jewish communities that are healthy, safe, caring, welcoming and inclusive, educated and engaged, involved in the broader community, and deeply connected to Israel and the global Jewish people.  

 

ABOUT THE POSITION 

The Senior Director for the Strategic Health Resource Center will join a public affairs and advocacy team based in Washington, DC that represents the interests and concerns of 146 local federations and more than 300 independent communities to members of Congress and the administration. JFNA’s Public Affairs Office advocates for federal policies and funding that impact federations and hundreds of affiliated nonprofit hospitals, family and children’s service agencies, nursing homes and aging communities, and vocational agencies caring for tens of thousands of people every day in our communities throughout the country.

 

Our partner agencies provide a broad array of human services, including health care, mental health care, home and community-based services, long-term care, and vocational services, as well as other programs for youth, families, older adults, Holocaust survivors, immigrants and refugees, persons with disabilities, and caregivers. The Senior Director will advocate for a diverse portfolio of federal policies related to health, mental health, aging, and disability priorities, such as protecting and expanding the nation’s healthcare safety net of Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act; advancing improvements and innovations in health care, coverage, and care delivery; addressing the social determinants of health; and other federal policies that align with the Strategic Health Resource Center’s mission of sustaining the work of our partner agencies to meet the needs of low-income and vulnerable populations.

 

The position also supervises federal representation of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, which, in addition to the above, focuses on aging, food security, housing, and other matters.

 

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A.  Senior Director, Strategic Health Resource Center

 

  • Represent JFNA before Congress and the Administration to advance health care, mental health care, home- and community-based care, long-term care, aging and related funding and policy matters critical to our federations and more than 250 nonprofit partner agencies across the country that serve the needs of millions of patients, including vulnerable, low-income, and high-need populations in our communities.
  • Cultivate and advance relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, and the administration (with particular focus on the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration for Community Living, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
  • Design, develop, and implement advocacy strategies to advance federal policies consistent with the mission of the Strategic Health Resource Center (SHRC) and JFNA’s health, mental health, aging, and long-term care priorities.
  • Lead fundraising and manage budget for SHRC.
  • Manage SHRC consultants.
  • Oversee the disability advocacy staff and portfolio.
  • Work closely with all Public Affairs staff, as well as communications, marketing.
  • Develop and maintain deep substantive expertise in the Strategic Health Resource Center’s health, mental health, aging, and long-term care priority areas.
  • Translate complex policies and practices into a range of accessible communications for diverse audiences.
  • Cultivate relationships with federation leaders, federation government affairs professionals, and partner agency representatives.
  • Represent JFNA’s Strategic Health Resource Center on coalitions and develop strategic partnerships with other national stakeholders through coalition leadership and management to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration on shared priorities.
  • Conduct legislative, regulatory and policy research and analyses, and draft testimony, statements for the record, and regulatory comment letters.
  • Engage regularly with relevant JFNA Committees.
  • Develop products for advocacy activities and for communication to federation leaders, government affairs professionals, NJHSA and its members, other partner agency executives, and the public, including but not limited to webinars, issue briefs, template letters and brief advocacy messages, talking points, memoranda, analyses, and other public affairs products such as newsletter updates, blogs, and letters to the editor.
  • Co-lead and participate in programmatic planning for JFNA health and disability-related conferences, and periodic conference panels, advocacy missions, and webinars.
  • Provide strategic direction and technical assistance to federations, government affairs professionals, and partner agencies across the country.
  • Represent JFNA at public events, conferences, webinars, and meetings, including public speaking opportunities.

 

B. Washington Representation for the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA)

 

  • Manage federal representation of NJHSA, which includes the above listed responsibilities on behalf of NJHSA as well.
  • Work in close collaboration with NJHSA Chief Executive Officer, senior staff, and board and Advocacy Committee leaders, including to lead development of NJHSA’s policy priorities.
  • Serve as the liaison between JFNA and NJHSA.
  • Manage and staff the NJHSA Advocacy Committee for quarterly meetings, working in close collaboration with the Advocacy Committee chair.

 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • 5-10 years or more relevant experience advocating with federal policymakers related to healthcare issues.
  • Strong familiarity with the federal legislative and regulatory processes, as well as national politics related to health, mental health, aging and long-term care issues.
  • Excellent contacts with members of Congress, key congressional staff, and federal officials with jurisdiction over health and human services programs and funding.
  • Strong knowledge of health, mental health, and long-term care policy issues, including Medicare and Medicaid policy and workforce issues.
  • Experience working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders and coalition partners to advance shared priorities.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate and build trust and credibility with community leaders, government affairs professionals, and other national stakeholders.
  • Excellent research, analytical, oral, written, and public speaking communication skills. 
  • Extremely organized self-starter with demonstrated ability to perform well independently and multi-task while working in a fast-paced environment. 
  • An understanding of the organized Jewish community.
  • Strong management skills and experience working with people with disabilities.
  • Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in public policy, law, or social sciences preferred.

 

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, JFNA celebrates and welcomes people of all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:  JFNA offers a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, FSA), including a defined contribution plan, generous vacation policy, paid legal and Jewish holidays, life insurance, generous parental leave policies and flexible remote work practices.  Our compensation philosophy strives to be externally competitive and internally fair.   Additionally, we offer voluntary learning programs throughout the year in subjects of interest to our staff.

 

Salary range:  $110,000 – $140,000

 

FEDERATION APPLICANTS: JFNA is committed to supporting local Jewish Federations and to identifying the best talent for the system. If a current Federation employee is hired for this role, we will work with the local Federation to ensure an appropriate timeline and communications strategy. We welcome initial confidential inquiries to learn more about the role; however, current Federation employees who move to a finalist round of interviews will be asked to communicate with the Federation about their candidacy. 

 

TO APPLY:  Please submit your cover letter and resume to DCJobs@JFNA.org