Associate Director, Brain Health Policy in Washington, District of Columbia at West Health

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health includes the nonprofit and nonpartisan Gary and Mary West Health Institute and Gary and Mary West Foundation in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. These organizations are working together toward a shared mission dedicated to enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. Through a combination of medical research and policy initiatives, collaborations, education, and advocacy, West Health is committed to supporting and creating healthcare delivery models that improve care and access for our fast-growing, diverse population of seniors. Data/Data Science is an important engine that powers our work. For more information, visit westhealth.org and follow @westhealth.POSITION SUMMARY
West Health’s brain health portfolio is active and growing, with established partnerships across, health systems, quality organizations, and national advocacy groups. The Associate Director steps into a funded, staffed initiative. This is an opportunity for a policy professional ready to take on substantive ownership of a high visibility workstream at a critical moment for the field. Key policy areas include behavioral health integration, dementia and cognitive aging, payment and delivery reform for brain health services, health system transformation, and value-based care models spanning mental health and neurological conditions.

The Associate Director, Brain Health Policy will work with West Health’s leadership to identify and produce cross-cutting, actionable policy options to improve brain health care delivery and lower costs for employers, state and federal government, and households to enable successful aging for all patients. Among other activities, the Associate Director will assist with identifying high-impact policy analyses, lead constructive collaborations with like-minded organizations, help draft issue briefs and research papers, analyze healthcare spending and utilization data, support effective communication of research results and key messages, help implement communications and outreach strategies, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the Policy Center and the West Health Institute.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive strategy, partner engagement, and research production on brain health policy workstreams with significant independence.
• Assist with policy reform opportunities to support brain health care delivery and payment initiatives; help devise legislative and regulatory strategies.
• Produce rigorous analyses of payment policies, benefit design, and care delivery models relevant to behavioral health and neurological conditions; translate findings into policy research publications and other products for policymaker and public audiences.
• Explore, design, and execute research opportunities with mission-aligned partner organizations.
• Work with partners to identify and craft policy reforms that support brain health care delivery and payment initiatives; help educate federal and state policymakers on relevant legislative and regulatory opportunities.
• Support West Health engagement with the DC think tank and health policy community to build support for brain health initiatives; convene groups to support their implementation.
• Monitor federal legislative and regulatory activities affecting brain health topics of interest to West Health; provide counsel and assistance to other West Health entities.
• Distill complex brain health policy, payment, and research issues into succinct message points that educate policymakers, health system leaders, and other stakeholders, including internal West Health audiences, about West Health’s viewpoints.
• Collaborate with the Communications Department on position papers and other relevant internal and external documents.
• Collaborate with the West Health Institute to guide and support health system transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment between policy strategy and on-the-ground implementation.
• Represent West Health externally at convenings, briefings, and coalitions; contribute to the organization’s public profile in the brain health field.
• Commitment to West Health’s values and mission.
• This role requires a regular in-office presence from Tuesday through Thursday to support collaboration and business needs during core hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. Mondays and Fridays may be worked remotely, provided availability aligns with standard working hours. The primary focus is on fulfilling responsibilities, delivering results, and collaborating effectively with others.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

• A graduate degree in a related field is preferred.
• 7–10 years of applicable work experience in health policy is required, with demonstrated ability to lead policy projects independently.
• Familiarity with both behavioral health and neurological conditions is strongly preferred.
• A demonstrated understanding of how payment policy shapes care delivery in practice and the ability to translate that understanding for health system, payer, and policymaker audiences is essential.
• Experience on congressional committee staff, within CMS, and/or relevant advisory groups (MedPAC, MACPAC) preferred.
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills applied to public policy issues, including ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue. A keen understanding of the importance of such research and disseminating it effectively to policymakers, the media, and the public.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and oral/written presentation.
• Demonstrated time and project management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Ability to establish a systematic course of action to ensure project completion.
• Comfort engaging with health system leaders — including clinical and executive audiences — as a credible policy and strategy partner.
• Able to occasionally travel to meetings and conferences.
• Must believe in public health and science

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• The estimated salary range for this position is $139,000 - $185,000
  We gladly offer:
  • Up to 10% Annual Performance Bonus – rewarding your hard work and success.
  • Hybrid Work Schedule - offering flexibility to balance your work and personal life.
  • Comprehensive Benefits Package – including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and a Flexible Spending Account to support your health and well-being.
    • 100% Premium Coverage for Employee Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance, plus 70% coverage for dependents for medical, dental and vision – ensuring both you and your family are well cared for.
  • Generous 5% Retirement Plan Match – helping you build a secure financial future.
  • Professional Development Reimbursements – investing in your growth and career advancement.
  • 15 Days of Paid Time Off plus 16 Paid Holidays – promoting a healthy work-life balance and time to recharge

West Health Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, disability, or veteran's status.