Manager, Policy, Research and Analysis in Washington

The Government Performance Portfolio within Pew's Government Performance team provides the nonpartisan research, solutions, and momentum decision-makers need to ensure our institutions improve the health of people in the United States and enable them to successfully climb the economic ladder. Those goals are pursued through a wide range of the portfolio’s policy-focused projects—from ensuring states’ finances are prepared for future volatility, to unlocking gateways to mental health care, to addressing the nation’s lack of attainable housing.

Pew’s Government Performance team is successful when we:

• Foresee systemic challenges that could be avoided, mitigated, or resolved before they become insurmountable or politically toxic.
• Fill information gaps with data, research, and proven models.
• Hold leaders of institutions accountable to ensure they anticipate future challenges and operate efficiently.
• Minimise missed opportunities when people intersect with our nation’s institutions.

We hope policymakers, funding partners, and other stakeholders celebrate when Pew’s Government Performance team enters a new policy space, launches a new effort, or expands an existing project because they recognise we help:

• Elevate the public profile of a problem
• Demonstrate that success is possible
• Bring cohesion to siloed fields
• Create momentum for broader and lasting change

The substance use prevention and treatment initiative works to develop and support policies that increase initiation of medications for opioid use disorder. The project provides direct, in-depth technical assistance by invitation of states interested in improving access to evidence-based, high-quality treatment for people with opioid use disorder. The project also conducts advocacy in Washington, D.C., to achieve its programmatic objectives. To inform this work, the project conducts and publishes research and other information on evidence-based and emerging practices and maintains relationships with external experts and other stakeholders.

The Manager, Policy, Research & Analysis, Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative, will inform and influence public policy and health quality by conducting research and analysis and providing technical expertise to achieve the goals of the substance use prevention and treatment initiative. The responsibilities for this position include managing direct reports, executing project objectives and deliverables, developing and executing detailed research projects, leading the development of Pew-branded and peer-reviewed publications, and generating analyses and resources to support state and federal policy efforts. The Manager works closely with other SUPTI team members, as well as Pew colleagues in Communications, Research Quality and Support, Government Relations, Human Resources, and other operations areas.

The position has a set time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program, funding sources, and board decisions on continued support. This position participates in Pew’s hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to telework the remaining days. Staff also enjoy four telework “flex weeks” per year.

Responsibilities:

• Foster a work environment that inspires excellence, values impact, encourages transparency, builds mutual trust and respect, embraces and values diversity, and is collaborative, caring and compassionate.
• Manage the day-to-day execution of SUPTI’s research objectives and milestones.
• Develop a research strategy to advance state policy objectives for medications for opioid use disorder in collaboration with the state team’s senior manager and managers.
• Manage and oversee the daily operations of a team responsible for policy research and analysis (PRA), and project coordination, including PRA meetings and budget.
• Collaborate with the project director and senior manager to develop and track project metrics.
• Collaborate with external partners on research and policy initiatives, including developing and overseeing contracts, while building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across the substance use research and policy community.
• Advise the project director and behavioral health director in achieving the project’s strategic direction and campaign strategy and future behavioral health initiatives at Pew.
• Manage the development of background research and analysis and other written products, including supervising staff, reviewing and editing documents, and ensuring alignment with project strategy.
• Serve as the primary reviewer on the project’s research publications, collaborating with Pew’s communication department to increase dissemination of completed publications, including to state and federal policymakers.
• Liaise with internal partners, including communications and research quality and support to ensure publications follow established procedures and adhere to rigorous quality standards, and to identify efficiencies.
• Serve as the team subject matter expert on research process and ensure compliance with the organization’s research standards.
• Maintain a broad knowledge of substance use policy and keep abreast of evolving research on methadone, opioid treatment, and harm reduction interventions; develop deep expertise and serve as a resource to project staff on priority topics, including the project’s measurement-related goals.
• Present on project research topics to internal and external audiences. Attend and represent the initiative at conferences, convenings and serve as spokesperson to media.
• Lead special assignments, including convening meetings and stakeholder communications, as needed, and contribute to and participate in tasks of the project and department as assigned, as well as broader Pew-wide projects and committees as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Advanced degree in public health, public policy, social work, economics, law or similar fields are preferred.
• Generally, a minimum of eight years of applicable research and policy work in public health or behavioral health fields.
• Prior experience directly supervising staff, including managing performance, conducting evaluations, and providing coaching, guidance and career development advice support.
• Effectively focuses on the key aspect of an issue, as well as to identify, understand, and synthesise different policy perspectives.
• Demonstrated time-management skills, including the experience thinking strategically, juggling multiple priorities, adjusting to changing circumstances, resolving problems creatively and logically, organising time efficiently, and remaining attentive to details.
• Develops and manages productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Works professionally and collegially within a creative, fast-paced corporate culture that emphasizes excellence and teamwork.

Key attributes and preferred experience:

• Demonstrated experience in analyzing and presenting complex information, including experience writing clearly and cogently for internal audiences, policymakers, the media, and the public is required.
• Demonstrated experience conducting health policy research and analysis, including using qualitative and quantitative methods and software such as NVivo, R, SAS is required.
• Demonstrated experience developing and writing research and policy products that synthesise large amounts of information with identified themes is required.
• Expertise in behavioral health research and policy.
• Communicates effectively with diverse audiences, including stakeholders, policymakers, legislators, and people with lived experience.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel as required for state engagements, meetings, and conferences.

Work Authorization: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range: United States Pay Range: $137,800 - $154,000. The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards: We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.

Location: Washington, DC (901 E)

Type: Full time