Policy Officer

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to theassociate vice president, Policy,thepolicy officeris responsiblefor ensuringthat relevant and timely nonpartisan research and analysis, advocacy, strategic communications, and grantmaking efforts work together to address pressing issues in health and social policy that are reflective of the Foundation’s focus areas and policy priorities. Thepolicy officerplays two roles:providingstrategic guidance on policy issues acrossRWJF departments and contributingto Policy department activities.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, thepolicy officeris expected todemonstratea passionate commitment to equity and to the Foundation’s mission andGuiding Principles.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Contributeto Policy department activities

• Participate in strategy development, execution, and monitoring of the Policy department’s work(including grantmaking, government relations, and strategic alignment); monitor and learn fromprograms, grants, and government relations activities; create impact through dissemination ofknowledge; and centerequity, structural racism,and intersectional forms of oppression in learning, program,strategy development, and program management. 

• Lead the design and management of strategic grantmaking initiatives that support Foundation-widepolicy priorities and the department’seffortsindirect influence. Thatincludesidentifyingpotential policyand advocacy partners; understanding their alignment with Foundation priorities; evaluating theircapacity; managing resulting grants;ingequitablephilanthropic principles;and learning from the workover time.

• Assistin grantee information sharing andcoalition-building. Work toward external alignment of granteesworking toward a shared vision but through different strategies and tactics.Cultivatetrusting relationships with grantee and field leaders to informdevelopment, implementation, and management of programs,as well as to learn and stay informed of field advancements and context. 

Facilitaterelationships, coordination, grantmaking, and strategy with other RWJF departments 

• Develop andmaintainan understanding of the policy agendas, priorities, and activities of theFoundation’s strategic portfolios (Transforming Health and Healthcare Systems, Healthy Children andFamilies, Leadership for Better Health, and Healthy Communities), and related activities of theCommunications and Research-Evaluation-Learning departments. Bring this understanding back to thePolicy department to help shape grantmaking and direct influence (government relations) strategies.

• Facilitate collaboration around, and alignment with Foundation-wide and portfolio-specific priorities.Identifythe need for and develop cross-portfolio connections and coordination opportunities, includinginformation sharing, shared learning, government relations activities, gatherings, joint strategicframeworks, or co-funding.

• Facilitate supportfor, andlearning from policy-focused grantee organizations that work with more thanone department or portfolio. Create andfacilitateforums for staff from multiple RWJF portfolios in whichPolicy can share insights and lessons on common granteesand canalign strategies.

• Track and help to coordinate key areas (e.g., advocacy, public health, power-building) that cut acrossRWJF. Identifyappropriate waysfor the Policy department to engageonthese issues. Work towardinternal alignment across departments in the Foundation toward a sharedvisionbut through different strategies and tactics. 

• Consult with Communications, the Lawdepartment, and other relevant resources to consider and mitigate legal and reputational risks for our government relations and grantmaking work. 

• Facilitate and coordinate with other departments to develop andmaintaininstitutional relationships with national, regional, state, and local funders. 

Foundation and Field Contribution

• Work with colleagues, including the Research-Evaluation-Learning and Communications departments, to evaluate, synthesize,and share lessons with other staff, grantees, and the field. 

• Participate in Foundation-wide strategic collaboration and learning activities. 

• Represent the Foundation publiclyregardingadvancing equity, policy priorities, funding, and results. Engage with public and private funders in areas of focus. 

• Participate in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities tomaintainand enhanceexpertiseand professional status. 

• Respond to public inquiries about the application process. 

• Participate in department activities and efforts to improve team functioning, including following team norms and providing support and backup for team members. 

• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, andGuiding Principles.

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.

• Master’s degree in relevant field of study.Additionalrelevant experience equivalent can substitute for    an advanced degree.

• Knowledge of designing, implementing, and advancing programmatic or policystrategies ,including work in public health, equity, philanthropy, advocacy,government,or closely related fields.

• Knowledge ofapproaches inequity‑focusedsystems change, including how institutional,network‑level, orfield‑basedinterventions are designed, assessed, and refined to advance policy and systems outcomes.

• Skillinfacilitatingstrategic collaboration, shared learning, and alignment across diverse partners,disciplines, departments, and contexts in matrixed environments.

• Ability to build, sustain, andleveragerelationships and partnerships at the local, regional, and nationallevels to advance shared change and policyobjectives.

• Proficiencyin clear, respectful written and verbal communication, including presenting complex orsensitive issues to internal leadership, grantees, funders, and external audiences.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively,applyingjudgment to balancecompeting demands, advance program goals, anddeliverresults.

• Judgment required tooperateeffectively in ambiguous andhigh‑visibilitycontexts, includingidentifyingrisks, consultingappropriate internalpartners (e.g., Communications, Legal), and exercisingrole‑appropriatediscretion.

• Knowledge of philanthropy and grantmaking processes, and the ability to apply that knowledge todesign, manage, and learn from strategic grantmaking initiatives over time.

• Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

• Ability to travel to Princetonor Washington,D.C.office for relevant internalmeetings andother in-person events as requested by yourpeopleleader.

• Ability to travel, as needed forgranteemeetings, conferences, site visits,and community events.

• Deep social justice values and commitment to the practice of racial justice,health equity,and the Foundation’s vision, values, andGuiding Principles.

Candidates whose experience exceeds theminimumrequirements will be givenparticular considerationfor a higher placement within the salary range:

• Seven(7) years ofexperiencein federaland/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.

• Nine(9) years ofexperience...federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.

HYBRID: FLEXIBLE PURPOSE (HFP) EXPLAINEDAs of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations aremanaged,culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. On-site participation isdeterminedby job responsibilities, organizational andteam-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations.Learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

SALARY

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $140,700. Candidates who the Foundationdetermineshavedirectly relatedexperience exceeding theminimumrequirementsoutlined abovemay beprovideda higher starting salary of up to $154,770. All salary offers are non-negotiable. 

BENEFITS

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF?Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

TRANSITION STIPEND

A transition stipend is providedtoall new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job.  

HOW TO APPLY

• Applicants shouldsubmita resume andletter of interest by the stated deadline.

• Internal RWJF applicants shouldsubmita resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub appinWorkday. 

E-VERIFY AND EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILTY

RWJF participates inE‑Verify.Click here for more information.

APPLICATION DEADLINE