Director of Policy

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) seeks a seasoned policy professional to support and expand AACN’s federal policy presence in Washington, DC. You will develop and maximize policy resources, respond to federal notices, and foster relationships with federal agencies and non-government organizations.

This role oversees policy analysis, prepares strategic communications, and coordinates with our policy committee, while identifying grant opportunities and translating research

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred; additional professional experience may substitute.
• At least 10 years of policy analysis, research and evaluation experience.
• Strong, proactive project management skills for research and policy analysis.
• Exceptional written and editorial skills; ability to translate policy priorities into clear communications.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, collaborative, with strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy analysis on critical issues; create dashboards, fact sheets, briefs, and toolkits for stakeholders.
• Monitor Federal Register; analyze regulatory proposals and prepare comments.
• Prepare strategic communications to amplify AACN’s policy voice at the federal level.
• Serve as liaison with federal agencies and policymakers; support governance bodies.
• Coordinate with policy committee; support strategic, operational tasks.
• Identify grant opportunities; write proposals; oversee funded projects as principal investigator.
• Translate research into policy briefs for policymakers and leaders.
• Analyze data sources to propose policy changes addressing academic nursing.

Skills

Policy analysis (10+ yrs)

Project management

Written/editorial skills

Stakeholder communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree or higher

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Data analytics software

Job description

About AACN

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice.

About AACN

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice.

Position Summary

Responsible for supporting and further developing AACN’s policy presence and by developing and maximizing AACN’s policy resources , responding to federal agency proposed rules, federal register notices, and nomination opportunities, and building relationships with federal agencies and non-government organizations.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts analysis on critical issues relevant to academic nursing, prepares and implements mechanisms to share analysis (e.g. dashboards, fact sheets, policy briefs, tool kits) in accessible formats to AACN membership, academic practice partners, congressional and administrative offices, federal agencies, and any other community partners.
• Monitors the Federal Register, provides regulatory analysis for the association, and prepares comments to federal register notices and other proposed policy and/or regulatory initiatives. Responds to requests from federal agencies and provides support in curating information. Additionally, reviews government agency information for updates of interest to the department’s federal policy agenda, nomination opportunities, and other policy efforts that align with new and ongoing AACN initiatives.
• Prepares strategic communications and messaging to amplify AACN’s voice for key health and higher education policy discussions at the federal level.
• Promotes the influence, visibility, and impact of academic nursing to key partners within the federal government. Serves as a liaison with the administration and facilitates the participation of academic nursing leaders in the federal government.
• Serves as staff liaison to AACN policy committee, including providing strategic, operational, and administrative support.
• Works closely with Chief Government Affairs and Policy Officer to coordinate legislative and regulatory priorities, issue areas to monitor, and share relevant information to ensure department efficiency and agility.
• Identifies grant funding opportunities, writes proposals for funding in response to various grant opportunities, and serves as the principal investigator on funded grants.
• Translates academic research into policy briefs that inform federal policymakers as well as health care and academic leaders.
• Analyzes and utilizes existing data sources to recommend changes in federal policy, comments, or current laws that would be effective in addressing issues in academic nursing.

Prepares position papers on key policy issues and develops policy recommendations.

• Conducts policy scans that analyze/synthesize information for consumption by the broader nursing, higher education, research, and healthcare communities.
• Assists in the planning, coordination, and execution of conferences, policy speakers, summits, and other stakeholder events and preparation of any relevant materials for these events.
• Prepares and presents to various audiences on AACN’s policy portfolio.

REQUIREMENTS

• AACN promotes higher education; therefore, a Master’s degree or higher is preferred. Additional professional experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• At least 10 years of policy analysis, research and evaluation experience, preferably in an association or policy-related environment.
• Strong, proactive project management skills with experience managing and coordinating research projects, policy analysis, and federal comments.
• Exceptional written and editorial skills, including the ability to synthesize and translate complex policy priorities into clear and concise communications.
• Must be highly organized, detail oriented, flexible and collaborative, have good interpersonal and communication skills, and work in a collaborative team-based environment.
• Must demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to manage and complete multiple priorities, while providing clear and effective communication with the team.
• Additional qualifications include ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, and strong analytical and research skills.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data analytic software, and Outlook, and specialized software programs as necessary.
• Moderate travel may be required for this position.

Compensation Range

$130,000 - $160,000