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Director of Research and Data Analysis – Health Policy

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a highly respected national policy institute, is seeking a Director of Research and Data Analysis – Health Policy. The Center’s health policy division undertakes extensive work at both the state and federal levels to strengthen health coverage for low- and moderate-income people. Our work includes analyzing proposed changes in government policies, promoting effective approaches to covering low- and moderate-income families and individuals, providing technical assistance to federal and state policymakers, conducting research on the implications of health policy choices, and working with other federal and state nonprofits on these issues. Center analyses and experts are quoted frequently in the press and relied upon heavily by policymakers.

The Director of Research and Data Analysis will support the health team’s work, with a particular focus on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. This position is crucial to the team’s effectiveness, providing the analytic grounding for much of our advocacy and technical assistance. The Director will work closely with the team’s other senior analysts and also support the work of the Center’s legislative affairs, communications, state campaigns, and other policy teams as relevant. The ideal candidate is a creative problem solver who will maintain high analytic standards and rigor while working to advance the Center’s policy agenda of strengthening health coverage for low- and moderate-income people.

Responsibilities

  • Analyzes survey and administrative data in Excel and Stata/R.
  • Monitors trends and changes in health insurance coverage, program enrollment, program costs, and other outcomes.
  • Develops strategies for using available data to assess the impact of policies, identify needed changes, and make the case for policy improvements.
  • Responds to information requests from policymakers and the media.
  • Provides assistance to other national and state-level organizations.
  • Authors or contributes to analytic papers, policy briefs, blogs, and memos, and creates graphics illustrating key points.
  • Helps the team stay on top of and evaluate policy-relevant health research.
  • Manages the work of a research assistant.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • An advanced degree and a minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience or a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years’ relevant work experience.
  • Strong quantitative skills.
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and in at least one of Stata or R (or similar), with experience analyzing large datasets.
  • Attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to maintain high standards of accuracy while working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to clearly explain the implications and limitations of technical analyses to non-experts verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to work on multiple tasks both independently and as part of a highly collaborative team, sometimes on a time-sensitive basis.
  • Ability to interpret, critique, and explain academic and other original research and apply it to the Center’s policy work.
  • A commitment to the Center’s mission to improve the well-being of low-income people and advance equity, including by reducing racial and economic health disparities.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

  • Familiarity with major health data sets and projections, such as major federal surveys, enrollment and other data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Congressional Budget Office forecasts.
  • Familiarity with Medicaid and marketplace policy.
  • Strong writing and presentation skills.
  • Proficiency with graphics applications such as Illustrator.
  • Experiencing using data analysis to support policy analysis and advocacy.
  • Experience managing staff.

This position reports to the Vice President for Health Policy
Terms of Employment: Full-time, exempt.
Bargaining Unit Status: This is not a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary and title commensurate with experience; excellent benefits, including three health insurance options, dental and vision care, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and generous vacation leave, sick leave, and holiday schedules.   

Please upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to the mission of the Center. 

Please submit your application here.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.