Director of Health Equity

The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Director of Health Equity to move forward the Center’s legal and policy work on health issues with a particular focus on those who are low-income and who already face barriers to care.  Working in close partnership with other Center staff, the Director of Health Equity will play a leadership role in ensuring that the Center’s mission is advanced at the federal and state level by educating, engaging, and working closely with policymakers, coalition partners, and other key stakeholders. This position reports to the Vice President for Reproductive Rights and Health.

The Organization

We are passionate champions of national and state policies and laws that help women and girls achieve their potential throughout their lives- at school, at work, at home, in their families, and in their communities. We are committed advocates who take on the toughest challenges, especially for women who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and women who are low-income – and we make change happen. We are proud to have been on the front lines of virtually every major advance for women since 1972, benefiting women, their families, their communities, and the nation. The Center has a staff of more than 80 and an annual budget of more than $18 million.  For more information on the Center, visit www.nwlc.org.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and spearhead strategies to grow the Center’s health work at the federal and state levels;
• Lead health issue campaigns in coordination with other Center staff, including helping to develop messages and policy proposals;
• Direct the Center’s response to proposed rules and other agency initiatives on women’s health  issues including by assigning roles, managing team, and helping with drafting and outreach as needed;
• Undertake legal and policy analysis in response to requests from policymakers and to help develop the Center’s health equity and justice priorities;
• Coordinate with other Center staff to strategically and collectively further the Center’s work and develop cross-cutting policies and programs that reflect health equity and justice priorities;
• Represent the Center’s positions in coalition meetings and work closely with partners in various progressive coalitions;
• Directly supervise at least one Counsel/Senior Counsel, and have supervisory responsibilities for legal fellows and interns;
• Conceive, draft, and oversee development of written products, legislative testimony, talking points, letters, and other materials;
• Assist in fundraising activities;
• Help to shape overall organizational and team goals and strategies;
• Respond to requests from the press and participate in press interviews;
• Represent the Center at public events, conferences, and meetings;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The candidate must have:

• A law degree or other professional degree and a minimum of eight years of relevant experience;
• Deep knowledge of private insurance, public insurance, or both;
• A proven record of developing and implementing policy or legal strategies and tactics;
• A minimum of three years of experience with program management and preferably more;
• Sound and strategic judgment, ability to problem solve, and nimbleness in adapting to changing circumstances;
• Excellent reasoning and analytical skills;
• Superior oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain the Center’s work in compelling terms and to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively;
• Outstanding time management and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to manage multi-faceted projects and perform well independently with grace under pressure in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment;
• The ability to build trust and credibility with key stakeholders;
• Commitment to centering diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities;
• A demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Center.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Existing network of relationships on Capitol Hill, executive agencies, or state legislatures;
• A strong understanding of congressional process and procedural rules to inform legislative strategies;
• Demonstrated success in leading, mentoring, and motivating a team, including an ability to mentor and develop talent;
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• A high degree of self-motivation and an entrepreneurial ability to identify and seize opportunities;
• Collaborative and collegial approach, and an ability and desire to work in a team-based environment, and an orientation to the work that recognizes and values the contributions of all team members;
• Demonstrated ability to influence and engage diverse audiences and to build long-term collaborative relationships with key organizational and individual partners;
• Flexibility and a sense of humor;
• Experience with grant-making.

Compensation

Attorney compensation is based on years of experience. For example, a minimum salary of $102,400 will be provided to the successful candidate having a law degree or other professional degree and a minimum of eight years of relevant experience. 

Application

If you are interested in joining the NWLC team, submit a cover letter describing your qualifications, resume, legal writing sample, and three supervisory references.  Electronic submissions are preferred.   Please send materials to  directorhealthequity@nwlc.org and include position title “Director of Health Equity” in the subject line.  Hard copies may be addressed to:  Human Resources Department, National Women’s Law Center, 11 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036, FAX: 202-588-5185.  Applications accepted until position is filled. No calls please.

The National Women’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, veterans, and LGBTQI individuals.

Reasonable Accommodations

As noted above, NWLC welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email us at humanresources@nwlc.org or you may send the request by mail to:

National Women’s Law Center
ATTN: Human Resources Director
11 Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036