Company Description

The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is a policy design and implementation partner devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. We connect people and ideas to spark insights, build expertise, strengthen leadership, and spread innovations. Across sectors and disciplines, we support our partners to make more effective, efficient, and equitable care possible. The passion, expertise, and creativity of CHCS’ staff make our work possible. We are committed to a diverse workforce that brings distinct perspectives, cultures, races, ethnicities, gender and sexual identities, experiences, and abilities to the table.

Position Overview

CHCS is seeking a Senior Program Officer who will have responsibility for the day-to-day operation of projects that focus on children receiving publicly-financed health and behavioral health services, with a particular focus on multi- system involved youth, specifically youth involved with child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with child behavioral health and child welfare policy and practice, as well as understanding of Medicaid policy and financing. This is not a clinical position; individuals with policy experience are sought. The Senior Program Officer is a thought leader who is creative, innovative, able to discern and articulate the motivating factors and steps required to implement change, and comfortable taking risk by both communicating and receiving challenging ideas

This full-time, exempt, senior-level position will report to the Director, Behavioral Health and Child Welfare and is based in the CHCS office, near Princeton, NJ. This position offers a hybrid schedule, with one day in the office and four days remote. Local candidates are desired; remote candidates outside of the NJ/PA/NY area will be considered but will be required to travel to the home office periodically, in addition to the position’s regular travel responsibilities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Effectively communicate expertise in relevant topical areas;
• Assume day-to-day project management responsibilities of small and large projects;
• Manage staff, including project teams and direct reports;
• Identify topics, prep speakers, and lead project calls and meeting sessions.
• Develop agendas for and deliver technical assistance to states in support of advancing policy objectives;
• Responsible for end-to-end planning and execution of external project meetings, both in-person and virtual;
• Develop communications plans for projects in collaboration with the communications team;
• Conceptualize and lead development and writing of briefs/TA tools, reports, or other materials to

disseminate project findings;

• Lead externally facing CHCS project webinars and participate in national webinars;
• Travel as necessary to represent CHCS at meetings organized by external organizations and participate in

external webinars;

• Lead development and submission of proposals, including budget development;
• Manage and track project budgets, prepare budget modifications in collaboration with the Finance team;
• Communicate with funders on project progress;
• Prepare annual funder narratives and budgets;
• Develop contractor/ consultant scopes of work; and
• Identify opportunities and potential funders for sustainability (when projects end).

Core Competencies/ Requirements

• Passionate about CHCS’ mission and its work to promote health equity for underserved populations;
• 6+ years of relevant experience in local, state, or federal health/human service agencies or delivery systems related to the provision and/or integration of services to children and youth, and families;
• Master’s degree in related field (public policy, public health, health management, psychology, social work) or equivalent professional experience;
• Ability and desire to work collaboratively with project team, partners, and external stakeholders;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, track deliverables, and thrive in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to problem solve and analyze/synthesize trends in health policy, and complex care including qualitative and quantitative information;
• Ability to conceptualize and operationalize new program ideas;
• Ability to lead and work effectively in teams;
• Thorough understanding of government programs including Medicaid and CHIP; and
• Ability to work confidently with funders, senior health policy makers and executives, and to represent CHCS at national meetings.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with internal and external team members from varying backgrounds and the ability to work with a diverse group of community members, payers, providers, and other stakeholders across the nation;
• Enthusiasm in promoting and institutionalizing systemic change and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity;
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage a complex array of projects and activities simultaneously through organization and attention to detail;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to write clear and effective materials for a wide range of audiences; and
• Willingness to participate in occasional local and national travel.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

CHCS operates a hybrid environment, with one day in the office and four days remote for local employees. The employee will perform job duties in a business office environment. Tasks are generally carried out with no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to work at a desk with a computer for extended periods of time. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment such as personal computers, duplicating machines, fax machines and standard office telephones. The employee may be required to attend meetings, both on- and offsite, via phone, videoconference or in person.

Salary and Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience; CHCS’ benefit package is comprehensive and highly competitive.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample (2-3 pages) via CHCS' Career Center. The cover letter should include the following elements:

• Why you are interested in the Senior Program Officer position.
• Any additional professional and/or personal experience that informs your qualifications for the position that otherwise is not obvious from your resume.
• Your salary requirements for the position.

This description is not intended to limit the responsibilities of a prospective employee to the duties listed above. Responsibilities may vary based on company and individual capabilities.

The Center for Health Care Strategies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.