Policy Engagement Specialist

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Please also include two relevant writing samples - these are required for your application to be considered.

Summary

The Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI) is the nation's leading university-based institute of health services researchers working together across diverse disciplines to study complex and timely health policy and practice issues that refuse simple definition or confinement within a single field of study. IHPI unites 650+ faculty members across 15 U-M schools and colleges on the Ann Arbor campus, and several units on the Flint and Dearborn campuses. The Institute facilitates scientific excellence and innovation by nurturing a health services research community, providing internal and external networking and engagement opportunities, educational and professional development programs, access to data and analysis, and robust policy engagement and communications support.

IHPI is seeking a Policy Engagement Specialist to provide support for IHPI's policy engagement and external relations efforts. The IHPI Policy Engagement & External Relations (PEER) team assists IHPI members with policy engagement strategies and helps translate and disseminate their research to key policymakers and stakeholders to promote utilization of member research in health policy and practice discussions and decisions. The motivated professional in this role will report to the IHPI Director of Policy Engagement and External Relations, and work closely with the Policy Engagement Program Manager. This role will also collaborate closely with the IHPI Communications team, as well as IHPI faculty members and their staff. Flexible, hybrid work arrangements are available, and the position is based out of Ann Arbor or Washington DC.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Responsibilities*

Project coordination and administrative support (approximately 50%)

In collaboration with the Program Manager and Director, provide project coordination and administrative support for a range of key PEER projects:

• Policy Impact Awards:
  • Oversee the annual Policy Impact Award process, including coordinating the call for nominations and selection process; communications to members via the website, IHPI newsletter, emails, and social media; and follow-up with nominators and awardees.
  • Coordinate with the IHPI Communications team on a final written product, such as an IHPI policy brief, to feature the awardees work.
• Policy Sprint Program:
  • Assist in coordinating the annual open call for proposals, including call announcement, proposal review process, and follow-up with applicants.
  • Support the projects once launched, including scheduling team meetings, taking meeting minutes, supporting project work plans, and following up with teams.
• Impact Accelerator Policy & Communications Training Program:
  • Assist in coordinating the annual educational program for members, including assisting with the open call for applications, scheduling meetings, supporting content development, and other related tasks.
  • Assist Program Manager and Director with continuously improving the content, delivery, and quality of the program.
• Policy Engagement Office Hours with IHPI members:
  • Assist with scheduling, preparation, and meeting follow-up, as well as identifying innovative ways to improve the experience and quality of Office Hours.

Support of policy engagement activities, planning, and PEER administration (approximately 30%)

• Support planning and coordination of IHPI policy panels, seminars, webinars, meetings, summits, and other similar events, as needed.
• Support administrative activities related to internal and external policy events (e.g., visits from key policy makers or stakeholders, roundtables, co-sponsored symposia and conferences, U-M Wolverine Caucus events, etc.).
• Assist in organizing meetings, including scheduling, drafting agendas, compiling materials, tracking specific deadlines and project decisions, and preparing progress reports as needed.
• Assist Program Manager in sending policy-relevant member work to targeted lists of policymakers and stakeholders via email, including drafting key research takeaways.
• Assist Program Manager and Director with presentations, talking points, correspondence, and other similar tasks, as assigned.
• Provide support for various projects, such as updating or creating policy-relevant tools for IHPI members, compiling information about IHPI members to create content for the IHPI website or monthly newsletter, and other similar tasks.
• Work with IHPI Communications team to update and provide content for policy-focused pages on the IHPI website, and draft posts/content for Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Support Program Manager and Director in enhancing and innovating approaches to highlight IHPI member work that has the potential to contribute to health policy and practice discussions and decision making.
• Update IHPI Policy Engagement metrics tracking dashboard on a regular basis.

Policy monitoring, report preparation, and dissemination activities (approximately 20%)

• Stay informed about state and federal policy-related activities and provide summaries to Program Manager and Director, as requested. This includes:
  • Attending policy briefings via webinars, hearings, other events
  • Conducting background research on health policy topics, summarizing select regulations and legislation, and other similar activities as requested by Program Manager or Director.
• Prepare weekly reports on key state and federal health-related hearings.
• Create, update, and maintain policy-focused email dissemination lists and update congressional staff lists quarterly; also maintain list of Michigan congressional member health policy interests.
• Support creation of policy-related reports or updates for IHPI members as assigned by the Program Manager or Director, including topics such as state or federal appropriations, legislation, new legislative sessions, policy-related opportunities, etc.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in a policy or health related field, with 3 years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Passionate about health policy and contributing to a dynamic, collaborative environment.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Well-developed project coordination skills.
• Excellent work ethic and positive demeanor.

Important skills for this position include:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Outstanding organizational and problem-solving skills that include attention to detail, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and ability to innovate processes and achieve results on time.
• Interest in staying up to speed on current events and being part of a team that continually identifies new topic areas, activities, and opportunities for IHPI member engagement.
• Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with faculty and staff within IHPI and across the University of Michigan community.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and the Google Suite.

Desired Qualifications*

• Professional experience working in a role related to public policy (local, state, or federal policy) or project management.

Work Locations

The IHPI staff team offices are located in the North Campus Research Complex at 2800 Plymouth Road. Flexible, hybrid work arrangements are available, and the position is based out of Ann Arbor or Washington DC.

Additional Information

Michigan Medicine is firmly committed to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging, which are core to the culture and values of the University of Michigan and IHPI. Our community supports recruiting and cultivating a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan and the world. We strive to create a work culture where each team member feels respected, valued, and safe.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Vaccine Requirements

COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students, faculty and staff working in the following areas: Michigan Medicine including the Medical School, Dental School, University Health Service or the Mary A. Rackham Institute. This includes those working remotely and temporary workers. More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.