A national voluntary health organization with over 300 affiliates throughout the country, Mental Health America (MHA) seeks a highly motivated individual for the position of Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy.  This position reports to the SVP for Operations, and is responsible for leading the Public Policy and Advocacy Department, which monitors and develops both federal and state initiatives impacting health, mental health, and substance use conditions.  The Department maintains a federal policy agenda, and supports the affiliate network in the full range of human service legislation, regulation and policy relevant to behavioral health.  The individual will lead MHA’s federal, state and local advocacy efforts, including national issue campaigns, federal legislative and regulatory advocacy, grassroots training, consultation, policy analysis, and resource development.  The individual will also staff the organization’s Public Policy Committee.
 
The candidate must have the following:

• Master’s degree in field relevant to health/behavioral health policy
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal behavioral health issues, including but not limited to federal health reform and parity legislation
• Expertise in public policy issues at the federal, state, and local levels and experience communicating policy information to a broad range of stakeholder audiences
• An ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups and individuals
• In-depth knowledge of state and federal legislative and regulatory processes
• Demonstrated writing, oral communication, and marketing skills necessary for promoting the department, its programs, and MHA to external partners
• Ability to provide leadership on multiple projects through conceptualizing and managing the implementation of multi-year strategic objectives
• Ability to infuse quality customer service principals to serving MHA affiliates in their public policy and advocacy efforts
• Demonstrated management skills and at least five years supervisory experience
• Ability to speak to media as a spokesperson for the organization and familiarity with media relations and advocacy communications
• A clear commitment to diversity as evidenced by an ability to recruit and work cooperatively with diverse groups and individuals

 
Please send cover letter and resume either via e-mail: jobs@mentalhealthamerica.net.  Please type “Vice President, Public Policy & Advocacy” in the subject line of the e-mail.  No phone calls please.
EOE.

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