Manager, State Technical Assistance, Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative 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.
• Minimize 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 (SUPTI) 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 team comes from a wide variety of professional backgrounds with policy, advocacy, and research experience.

Position Overview: The manager, state policy, Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative, oversees state staff and works closely with all members of the project team. The position also requires coordination with other Pew departments, including communications, finance, government relations, legal, research, contract and procurement services, and outreach, strategy and coordination. 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. 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.

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 and supervise staff leading efforts to advance state legislative and regulatory changes and ensure timely completion of state-facing deliverables.
• Manage the life cycle of assigned state engagements and communicate successes to leadership and funders.
• Monitor and identify trends in both national and state policy landscapes.
• Coach staff in the development of state advocacy skills centered on government relations, policy analysis and a technical understanding of opioid use disorder treatment.
• Support state work operations, including managing budgets, expenses, contracts, and sub-grants that advance the project state goals.
• Manage relationships with government relations and legal departments to provide updates on state work and seek lobbying compliance guidance.
• Liaise with team subject-matter experts and researchers to facilitate their inclusion in state technical assistance and ensure staff completing state work have access to resources and support.
• Participate in developing the project’s strategic direction, including collaborating with the SUPTI’s management team, in the identification of key policy issues and development of research, advocacy, and communication products and strategies to advance the project’s goals.
• Represent the project at various meetings of external organizations and key stakeholders in the field to position SUPTI as a thought leader.
• Assist with special assignments, including editing documents and convening meetings.
• Contribute to and participate in tasks of the behavioral health portfolio as assigned. Participate in Pew-wide projects as requested.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree in public health, public policy, political science or other related areas preferred.
• Generally, a minimum of eight years of applicable professional experience, including demonstrated full life cycle project management skills and previous experience implementing complex projects aimed at informing and advancing effective public policy.
• Experience working with organizations that publish reports and/or research is highly preferred.
• Prior experience directly supervising staff, including managing performance, conducting evaluations, and providing coaching, guidance and career development advice support.
• Demonstrated experience thinking strategically and creatively, adapting to changing circumstances, maintaining attention to detail, and exercising sound judgment in solving complex problems.
• Proven experience independently advancing complex projects forward in a fast-paced, collaborative, and results-oriented environment.
• Seasoned judgment and an aptitude to make sound decisions, justify recommendations, and communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively with consultants, colleagues and external partners.
• Strong verbal, presentation, facilitation, and written communication skills with experience conveying complex ideas and concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience convening groups of policy makers, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers and other constituencies.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships and supporting efforts to develop consensus and move toward a desired outcome.

Key attributes and preferred experience:

• Possesses strong people management skills, with the experience coaching, guiding and mentoring staff.
• Has knowledge of key policies and scientific issues related to substance use disorders, including topics such as coverage for evidence-based treatment, treatment systems and infrastructure, harm reduction, federally qualified health centers, health disparities, and financing.
• Possesses acute political awareness and non-partisan perspective and approach.
• Communicates effectively with diverse audiences, including stakeholders, policymakers, legislators, and individuals with lived experience.

Travel: Regular domestic travel up to 50% for 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