Vice President - Health Policy Center

About Urban Institute
At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. We are a nonprofit research organization that provides data and evidence to help advance upward mobility and equity, create inclusive economic growth, and improve the well-being of families and communities. For more than 50 years, we have been a trusted source for changemakers who seek solutions to pressing problems.

Our Mission
To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values
Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity.

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity
The Urban Institute seeks a full-time Vice President to be charged with the leadership of the Health Policy Center and its daily operations. The role will serve as a member of Urban’s leadership team, which works collaboratively to steer the future of the institution. The Vice President of the Health Policy Center will report to the Senior Vice President, Research Management and Program Development and will work closely with center Vice Presidents as well as leaders in operations.

The Health Policy Center aims to understand how lives and communities can be transformed by sound policies and access to quality health care. The center’s staff number over 60 research, policy, technical assistance, and operations staff who cover a wide range of policy issues. For nearly 40 years, our health policy scholars have conducted rigorous research to help lawmakers understand the scope of the country’s health care problems and costs, evaluated how public policies affect lives and communities, and provided insights about payment and service delivery reforms. Our research has had significant impact by informing the development of the Massachusetts health reform plan, analyzing issues related to the design and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the postpartum coverage extensions in Medicaid, and assessing the adequacy of available substance use care to meet people’s needs, among other issues.

The Health Policy Center uses a broad range of state-of-the-art approaches, from the field’s premier microsimulation methods (the Health Insurance Policy Simulation Model), to RCTs, technical assistance, and community-engaged research methods, to assess the impacts of policy changes, equip federal, state, and local policymakers with relevant insights to advance access to coverage, and achieve better health and life outcomes. We study inequities in health and access to care—by race and ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic status, across states, and between public and private insurance—identifying where gaps exist and how to close them, and working in partnership with affected communities.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement a clear vision, strategy, and theory of change for broadening and deepening HPC’s capacity to inform and influence public policy and practice, and drive impact for people and communities.

• Work with HPC and the Urban leadership team to identify and prioritize strategic research and policy priorities, with an eye toward moving the needle on specific impact objectives and advancing institutional priorities.

• Proactively identify opportunities that address evidence gaps in the needs of changemakers in our policy ecosystem and help identify solutions for the field.

• Inspire and nurture an environment in which HPC staff can think boldly and ambitiously—in collaboration with funders and stakeholders—to build and grow compelling research and policy programs.

• Cultivate new external partnerships and create effective relationships with other Urban teams to develop partnerships, seed innovations, support intersecting research and Institute-wide initiatives, and promote program development and fundraising.

Program Development, Fundraising, & External Engagement

• Support existing and emerging practice areas and bodies of work, helping them sustain high-quality research and take advantage of opportunities to increase policy impact and fundraising success.

• Cultivate new external partnerships and collaborate with the Center’s and Urban’s leadership to manage relationships with multiple funders, expand funding opportunities, and ensure a robust and diverse funding pipeline.

• Maintain strong collaborative relationships across the policy ecosystem in order to represent Urban with key stakeholders from government, business, the nonprofit sector, affected communities, media, and academia.

• Empower and engage researchers and program staff in the recognition of emerging trends and needs and the development of innovative research programs that broaden the organization’s scope and attract new funders.

Center Management & Financial Oversight

• Manage, guide, and supervise senior research leaders, center staff, center operations, and organizational initiatives, including setting clear direction and performance expectations, building team skills, and assessing progress.

• Develop and implement policies and practices that support staff growth, creating intentional pathways for professional development and advancement at all levels. Recruit and retain talent to lead research and policy programs.

• Manage the center’s budget in adherence to organizational guidelines and protocols and for long-term financial stability.

• Oversee quality assurance activities center-wide to ensure research excellence and deliver high-quality research and policy products on time and within budget.

• Act as a risk-management resource to staff to troubleshoot staff and project-specific issues and concerns and ensure that center staff have the resources and support necessary to continue developing transformative work.

• Champion the building of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in the Health Policy Center and across all of Urban.

Who You Are

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A track record (15+ years) of research excellence, entrepreneurial leadership, and strategic thinking.

• A graduate degree in a relevant social science field (PhD preferred but not required).

• An understanding of policy and the policy-making process and a point of view about how research can drive action, forward progress, and impact.

• Deep familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods and design and a commitment to research rigor and independence.

• Experience working with funders and a track record of fundraising/business development.

• An ability to lead in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment that is undergoing change and growth while it works to develop research-informed solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems.

• A management style that is open and consultative with a focus on team building and creating a culture of belonging and inclusion.

• A compelling and thoughtful communication style that meets the needs of internal and external audiences and engenders trust and collaboration.

• Personal alignment with Urban’s belief that creativity and intellectual growth thrives in an environment that welcomes differences in viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the requirements for the position. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

What You’ll Experience
No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Position Location
This is a hybrid position, with the expectation of two days in our Washington, DC office and the option of three days of remote work per week. Local candidates will be given preference.

Urban’s Greatest Asset is Our People
The salary range for this position is $250,000 - $300,000. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Diversity & Inclusion
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.