*Candidates can sit in either New York, NY or Albany, NY*
The Senior Policy Advisor will report to the Deputy Secretary for Health and partner closely with the Assistant Secretaries for Health to oversee the Governor’s Health agenda, including all components of operations and policy management within the health portfolio. Additionally, the Senior Policy Advisor will work with senior leadership and staff members within the Executive Chamber as well as the Department of Health (DOH), Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG), and State Office for the Aging (SOFA) in service of setting and implementing the Governor’s Health agenda.
Job Description:
- Partners with the Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretaries to conduct oversight of State agencies within the designated program area (Health). Serves as a cornerstone of the health portfolio, partnering with agency, Division of Budget, Executive Chamber Counsel, and other members of the Health portfolio to help set and implement the Governor’s Health agenda.
- Policy making: Owns discrete policy areas agreed upon in collaboration with the Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretaries for Health, including Identifying areas of greatest need / opportunity through research and analysis (literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, review of current legislation, etc.)
- Developing specific proposals to address areas of need (e.g., reviewing best practices from other States, partnering with experts within State agencies) for consideration during annual State of the State and budget-making processes
- Ensuring policy initiatives proposed by State agencies and other Executive Chamber teams remain coordinated and consistent with overall Health agenda
- Developing perspective and advising Governor on whether to sign/veto legislative bills passed during annual legislative session
- Implementation and agency oversight: Partners closely with relevant State agencies to ensure effective implementation of Governor’s agenda, including Monitoring agency progress in implementing key priorities, including intervening as necessary to ensure adequate direction, resources, and support to achieve objectives
- Leading implementation for select priority initiatives
- Managing certain aspects of day-to-day agency oversight (e.g., reviewing and approving budget requests, reports for external release)
- Ensuring Deputy Secretary and other Executive Chamber leadership are kept abreast of agency operations
- Providing input, as needed, on day-to-day agency operations (e.g., review of agency-proposed regulations)
- Communications and stakeholder management: Takes steps to gather input on and build support for Governor’s agenda, including: Meeting with key advocates and stakeholders within and outside of NYS to gather input on and build support for agenda
- Partnering with agency and Executive Chamber communications teams to provide input on overall communications strategy, including press, events, etc.
- In support of the above activities, is expected to have exemplary skills and demonstrated experience in the following:
- Conducting policy research (including literature reviews, expert and stakeholder interviews, data analysis) and generating innovative and effective recommendations
- Preparing clear and concise briefing materials, and providing verbal briefings
- Effectively managing projects, including meeting facilitation, project tracking, stakeholder management, proactive risk identification
- Working effectively as part of a team, including giving and receiving professional development feedback and supporting discussion of and implementation of effective team norms and culture
Potential Areas of Focus:
- The Senior Policy Advisor will partner with the Assistant Secretaries for Health to support day-to-day management of a subcomponent of the Health portfolio. The Senior Policy Advisor will be given assigned discrete policy areas and operational topics to oversee and expected to serve as the ‘first line of defense’ responsible for these areas. The Senior Policy Advisor will be expected to partner closely with the Assistant Secretaries for Health in these areas, working to keep the Deputy Secretary apprised of day-to-day activities and providing the Deputy Secretary with recommendations on all critical decisions needed
- The Senior Policy Advisor’s areas of focus are flexible depending on candidate qualifications, but may include the healthcare delivery system, healthcare innovation, public healthcare insurance and coverage, long-term care, and/or public health.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of full-time, professional experience with a focus on public administration, public policy, health policy, or related topics. A Master’s degree in a related field or Juris Doctor may substitute for one year of this experience. A strong interest and knowledge of health policy is highly desirable.
Preferred Skills:
- Track record of strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills
- Excellent written, verbal communication, research, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage complexity, arrive at the appropriate solutions and insights and synthesize key findings in a rapid fashion
- Commitment to public service and health policy
- Broad experience in health policy development and operations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
