The Vice President of Policy and Strategy is an executive leadership role responsible for determining, creating, advancing, and executing Vinfen public policy agenda and long-term strategic priorities related to policy shaping. Combining the core functions of government relations, public policy development, and strategy, this role plays a central role in positioning Vinfen as a leader and improving the state’s behavioral health and disability services system.
The Vice President leads Vinfen’s policy development and advocacy strategy, proactively shaping public policy through coalition-building, partnerships, and coordinated campaigns. Key to developing a policy strategy will be working with internal senior clinical and operational leaders to understand challenges and opportunities within the current service system, while incorporating views of external stakeholders such as families, advocates, hospitals and courts. At the same time, the role will be a key contributor to Vinfen’s strategic plan by dispersing market and policy information to Vinfen leaders. This effort will produce specific strategic initiatives related to new business and innovation opportunities. As a senior representative of Vinfen, the Vice President maintains a highly visible presence with policymakers, state agencies, advocacy groups and funders.
Public Policy Development & Government Relations
• Sets and leads Vinfen’s public policy agenda, proactively advocating legislation, regulations, and administrative policy affecting behavioral health, human and disability services.
• Designs and executes multi-year policy strategies and campaigns in partnership with coalitions, advocacy organizations, trade associations, and community stakeholders.
• Monitors and analyzes legislative, regulatory, and budget activity at the local, state, and federal levels, with particular focus on EOHHS, DMH, DDS, and MassHealth.
• Provides clear, timely policy analysis and strategic recommendations to Vinfen leadership, including written briefings, testimony, talking points, and presentations relating to present conditions and future contexts.
• Maintains high-level relationships with state legislators, targeted municipal officials, agency leadership, and executive branch officials.
• Oversees organizational compliance with lobbying registration and reporting requirements.
Coalition-Building & External Partnerships
• Leads Vinfen’s engagement in formal and informal coalitions to advance shared policy goals, serving as a convener when appropriate.
• Represents Vinfen in public forums, hearings, workgroups, commissions, and sector-wide initiatives.
• Builds and stewards strategic partnerships with advocacy organizations, research institutions, philanthropic partners, and peer providers to advance policy reform and system change.
• Identifies and cultivates funding to support coalition work including drafting grant proposals in partnership with development team.
Executive Leadership & Strategy
• Contributes to the development and execution of Vinfen’s long-term strategic plan and annual initiatives that align with public policy trends and system reform opportunities.
• Leads internal planning work to develop Vinfen’s system reform recommendations that have policy implications.
• Serves as a senior advisor to the Executive Team on policy, political, and strategic risks and opportunities impacting Vinfen’s mission, programs, and financial sustainability.
• Analyzes external market, policy, and funding environment to identify opportunities for new programs, procurements, and partnerships.
• Supports development of business cases, financial analyses, and implementation strategies for service expansions and complex procurements.
• Partners with grant development and operational teams to align policy priorities with public and private funding opportunities.
Team Leadership & Organizational Capacity
• Leads, mentors, and develops staff across policy, strategy, and project-based functions, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Builds internal capacity for policy engagement by supporting training, tools, and data collection that elevate the voices of Vinfen staff, people served, and families.
• Promotes a culture of equity, inclusion, and respect across all aspects of strategy and policy work.
General
• Performs other duties as assigned.
About Vinfen:
Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.
My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.
Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Qualifications:
Typical Requirements:
• Minimum of 12–15 years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, government relations, strategy, or senior leadership roles within health care, human services, government, or advocacy organizations.
• Significant experience operating at a senior or executive level with external stakeholders and coalitions.
Preferred /Required Education:
Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, public health, business, or a related field strongly preferred.
Knowledge and Skills:
• Deep expertise in Massachusetts and federal public policy related to behavioral health, human services, disability services, and Medicaid.
• Demonstrated success leading policy development and advocacy campaigns, including coalition based strategies.
• Strong understanding of government budgeting, procurement processes, and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience in enterprise-wide strategic planning and implementation, driven by deep engagement with internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills in complex and unstructured environments.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting policy documents, testimony, and executive-level materials.
• Ability to influence, build consensus, and lead across a matrixed organization.
• High degree of professionalism, political judgment, and credibility with senior external stakeholders.
• Commitment to cultural humility and sensitivity to issues of race, disability, gender, religion, and other dimensions of identity.