Policy Officer

RWJF; Princeton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 141,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Transition stipend

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in Princeton, NJ, seeks a Policy Officer to advance nonpartisan research, advocacy, and grantmaking addressing health policy priorities. You will provide strategic guidance across RWJF departments and contribute to Policy department activities with a strong equity lens.

The role requires a Master’s degree and at least five years in health policy, advocacy, or related fields, plus the ability to travel to Princeton or Washington, DC.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of relevant experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.
• Master's degree in relevant field; additional relevant experience equivalent can substitute for an advanced degree.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for internal leadership, grantees, funders, and external audiences.
• Ability to travel to Princeton or Washington, D.C. office for meetings and events.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Policy department activities: strategy development, grantmaking, government relations, and knowledge dissemination with emphasis on equity and anti-racism.
• Lead strategic grantmaking initiatives aligned with RWJF priorities and direct influence.
• Support grantee information sharing and coalition-building; cultivate trusted relationships with field leaders.
• Coordinate across RWJF departments to align policy and program strategies with portfolio priorities.
• Represent the Foundation publicly on equity, policy priorities, funding, and results.
• Travel to Princeton or DC as needed for meetings and events.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.

At RWJF, we work toward three Generational Goals to transform health in our lifetime: Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing, Equitable and Accountable Public Health and Healthcare Systems, and Healthy and Equitable Community Conditions.

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration enable our staff's wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the associate vice president, Policy, the policy officer is responsible for ensuring that relevant and timely nonpartisan research and analysis, advocacy, strategic communications, and grantmaking efforts work together to address pressing issues in health and social policy that are reflective of the Foundation’s focus areas and policy priorities. The policy officer plays two roles: providing strategic guidance on policy issues across RWJF departments and contributing to Policy department activities.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the policy officer is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and to the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Contribute to Policy department activities

• Participate in strategy development, execution, and monitoring of the Policy department’s work (including grantmaking, government relations, and strategic alignment); monitor and learn from programs, grants, and government relations activities; create impact through dissemination of knowledge; and center equity, structural racism, and intersectional forms of oppression in learning, program, strategy development, and program management.
• Lead the design and management of strategic grantmaking initiatives that support Foundation-wide policy priorities and the department’s efforts in direct influence. That includes identifying potential policy and advocacy partners; understanding their alignment with Foundation priorities; evaluating their capacity; managing resulting grants; applying equitable philanthropic principles; and learning from the work over time.
• Assist in grantee information sharing and coalition-building. Work toward external alignment of grantees working toward a shared vision but through different strategies and tactics. Cultivate trusting relationships with grantee and field leaders to inform development, implementation, and management of programs, as well as to learn and stay informed of field advancements and context.

Facilitate relationships, coordination, grantmaking, and strategy with other RWJF departments

• Develop and maintain an understanding of the policy agendas, priorities, and activities of the Foundation’s strategic portfolios, and related activities of the Communications and Research-Evaluation-Learning departments. Bring this understanding back to the Policy department to help shape grantmaking and direct influence (government relations) strategies.
• Facilitate collaboration around, and alignment with Foundation-wide and portfolio-specific priorities. Identify the need for and develop cross-portfolio connections and coordination opportunities, including information sharing, shared learning, government relations activities, gatherings, joint strategic frameworks, or co-funding.
• Facilitate support for, and learning from policy-focused grantee organizations that work with more than one department or portfolio. Create and facilitate forums for staff from multiple RWJF portfolios in which Policy can share insights and lessons on common grantees and can align strategies.
• Track and help to coordinate key areas (e.g., advocacy, public health, power-building) that cut across RWJF. Identify appropriate ways for the Policy department to engage on these issues.
• Facilitate and coordinate with other departments to develop and maintain institutional relationships with national, regional, state, and local funders.

Foundation and Field Contribution

• Represent the Foundation publicly regarding advancing equity, policy priorities, funding, and results.
• Respond to public inquiries about the application process.
• Participate in department activities and efforts to improve team functioning, including following team norms and providing support and backup for team members.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.
• Master's degree in relevant field of study. Additional relevant experience equivalent can substitute for an advanced degree.
• Knowledge of designing, implementing, and advancing programmatic or policy strategies , including work in public health, equity, philanthropy, advocacy, government, or closely related fields.
• Knowledge of approaches in equity-focused systems change, including how institutional, network-level, or field-based interventions are designed, assessed, and refined to advance policy and systems outcomes.
• Skill in facilitating strategic collaboration, shared learning, and alignment across diverse partners, disciplines, departments, and contexts in matrixed environments.
• Ability to build, sustain, and leverage relationships and partnerships at the local, regional, and national levels to advance shared change and policy objectives.
• Proficiency in clear, respectful written and verbal communication, including presenting complex or sensitive issues to internal leadership, grantees, funders, and external audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively, applying judgment to balance competing demands, advance program goals, and deliver results.
• Judgment required to operate effectively in ambiguous and high-visibility contexts, including identifying risks, consulting appropriate internal partners (e.g., Communications, Legal), and exercising role-appropriate discretion.
• Knowledge of philanthropy and grantmaking processes, and the ability to apply that knowledge to design, manage, and learn from strategic grantmaking initiatives over time.
• Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to travel to Princeton or Washington, D.C. office for relevant internal meetings and other in-person events as requested by your people leader.
• Ability to travel, as needed for grantee meetings, conferences, site visits, and community events.
• Deep social justice values and commitment to the practice of racial justice, health equity, and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.

Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be given particular consideration for a higher placement within the salary range:

• Seven (7) years of experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.
• Nine (9) years of experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.

POSITION’S ASSIGNED OFFICE LOCATION

This position is assigned to either our Princeton, N.J. or Washington, D.C. office.

HYBRID: FLEXIBLE PURPOSE (HFP) EXPLAINED

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations. Learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

SALARY

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $140,700. Candidates who the Foundation determines have directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements outlined above may be provided a higher starting salary of up to $154,770. All salary offers are non-negotiable.

BENEFITS

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

TRANSITION STIPEND

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job.

E-VERIFY AND EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

RWJF participates in E-Verify. Click here for more information.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, by 10 a.m. ET