Chief Public Policy Officer

Position: Chief Public Policy Officer 
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: [Remote] Proximity to Washington, DC required
Position Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Description

The Chief Public Policy Officer (Chief) will serve as the Parkinson’s Foundation’s (PF) lead public policy strategist, guiding and executing a comprehensive policy agenda in alignment with the organization’s vision, mission, and core values. This role will oversee the development, implementation, and advocacy of healthcare policies at the federal, state, and local levels. The Chief will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with policymakers, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders to influence healthcare policy that advances quality care, access, and health equity for people with Parkinson’s disease. As a member of the Foundation’s executive leadership team (ELT), the Chief acts as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and the senior management team.

Organizational Overview

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. For over half a century, we have made tangible progress in our three mission pillars: research, care, and education. Today, we continue to:

• Fund game-changing research on treatment and care.
• Support the delivery of high-quality care to people living with Parkinson’s. 
• Serve as the trusted and go-to source for information and resources on Parkinson’s disease.
• Convene the best minds from every corner of the global Parkinson’s community to develop research and clinical approaches that enhance care and move us closer to a cure.

As an evidence-based organization, everything we do is informed by facts, careful planning and involvement of our PD community members.  We seek to build on our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan to achieve even greater results by 2030.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Policy Strategy and Development:
  • Develop and implement PF’s public policy strategy to address key issues in access to care, healthcare reform, public health, health equity, and social determinants of health.
  • Monitor and analyze federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory developments relevant to healthcare and the nonprofit sector.
  • Lead the creation of public policy positions, white papers, reports, and advocacy materials that support the organization’s mission.
• Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Represent PF in public policy discussions, coalitions, and meetings with legislators, regulatory agencies, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to align efforts and amplify public policy initiatives.
  • Mobilize key stakeholders and grasstop/grassroot advocates to advance policy priorities through legislative action, campaigns, and public relations.
• Research and Analysis:
  • Collaborate on research efforts to assess the impact of proposed policies and initiatives on the healthcare system and people with Parkinson’s disease.
  • Provide thought leadership on emerging healthcare trends, challenges, and solutions that align with the organization’s objectives.
• Team Leadership and Development:
  • Manage and mentor other PF staff, ensuring high levels of performance, collaboration, and professional development.
  • Work closely with other senior leaders across the organization to ensure public policy initiatives align with programmatic and organizational goals.
• Communications and Public Relations:
  • Serve as a spokesperson for the organization on public policy-related matters.
  • Collaborate on public messaging and communication strategies that effectively convey the organization’s public policy positions efforts to the media, stakeholders, and the public.
• Compliance and Legal Oversight:
  • Ensure that the organization’s public policy activities are compliant with all relevant legal and ethical standards, including lobbying laws and nonprofit tax regulations.
• Fundraising and Resource Development:
  • Work closely with the Advancement team to identify funding opportunities and support grant proposals related to public policy initiatives.

Experience/Skills Required

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Political Science, or a related field. A JD is a plus.
• 15+ years of experience in healthcare policy, advocacy, or government relations, including work on Capitol Hill.
• Proven track record of developing and executing a public policy agenda that results in transformative change at the federal, state, or local level.
• Proficient knowledge and deep understanding of the healthcare landscape including Medicare and commercial coverage, payment, public health and access policies across settings of care.
• Working knowledge of and strong familiarity with key HHS agencies, including CMS, NIH, and FDA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, the media, and the public.
• Experience in coalition-building, grassroots mobilization, and managing multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Ability to think strategically, while also being detail-oriented in execution.

Desired Attributes

• Strong political acumen and the ability to navigate complex regulatory and legislative environments.
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to an evolving policy landscape.
• Passion for advancing health equity and improving the healthcare system.

Physical Demands

• Ability to travel as needed for advocacy meetings, conferences, and legislative sessions.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Compensation

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included. The salary range for this position is $175,000 to $225,000.