VP, Policy and Advocacy

National Indian Health Board; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

National Indian Health Board seeks a Vice President of Policy and Advocacy to provide strategic leadership for the organization’s legislative and policy objectives. The role leads the Policy and Advocacy department, aligns advocacy with NIHB’s mission, and collaborates with federal agencies, Tribal leaders, and internal teams from Washington, DC.

The executive will guide budgeting, strategic planning, and communications, overseeing government relations initiatives and advancing Tribal health

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Law, or a related field; Master’s or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 810 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or legislative advocacy, with a strong track record of success in a nonprofit environment.
• At least five years of leadership and management experience with direct responsibility for organizational government relations operations and cross-departmental collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support the Directors and staff in the Policy and Advocacy department.
• Oversee the development and implementation of team structure, team goals and performance metrics.
• Work with the Development Department to cultivate support for policy and advocacy work.
• Design and implement organization’s government relations strategies to influence public policy and regulatory outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Congress, Administration officials, and regulatory agencies to represent NIHB’s interests.

Skills

Leadership

Government relations

Cross-department collaboration

Policy processes

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Law, or related field

Master’s or advanced degree preferred

Job description

Position Summary

The Vice President of Policy and Advocacy is responsible for providing strategic leadership in advancing the organization’s legislative, regulatory and policy objectives. The Vice President of GR will lead the Policy and Advocacy department and manage advocacy strategies to align with NIHB’s mission. This position will collaborate with internal teams, government agencies, Tribal leaders, and other external stakeholders to shape policy decisions that impact Tribal health and related public policy matters. This position will also provide high‑level advice and support to executive leadership and the board, ensuring the alignment of advocacy efforts with the organization’s goals and values. This is a full‑time position based in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support the Directors and staff in the Policy and Advocacy department.
• Oversee the development and implementation of team structure, team goals and performance metrics.
• Work with the Development Department to cultivate support for policy and advocacy work.
• Colead collaboration among NIHB’s departments in Public Health, Development, Operations, and Communications with Policy and Advocacy.
• Develop and manage budgets for the department and policy projects.
• Manage all department grants and cooperative agreements.
• Develop meaningful policy‑focused relationships with Area Indian Health Boards and external Tribal/non‑Tribal partners.
• Design and implement organization’s government relations strategies to influence public policy and regulatory outcomes in alignment with organization’s goals and to promote Tribal health priorities.
• Collaborate with member organizations and key stakeholders to identify and prioritize legislative and administrative policy issues impacting Tribal health and formulate strategies to address them.
• Lead the preparation and dissemination of reports, testimonies, public comments, and other materials addressing NIHB’s priority policy issues.
• Oversee all Government Relations Technical Assistance, Capacity Building, and Outreach and Education initiatives.
• Lead the development of NIHB’s legislative and policy agenda, policy positions, advocacy materials, and strategic communications.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Congress, Administration officials, Indian Health Service leadership, and regulatory agencies to represent the organization’s interests on Capitol Hill and with the Executive Branch.
• Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments, providing timely updates and recommendations to the Executive Team and Board of Directors.
• Represent the organization in meetings, hearings, and other forums related to policy and regulatory matters.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships and coalitions with member organizations, Tribes, and other advocacy groups to advance shared policy goals.
• Coordinate joint advocacy efforts and leverage collective resources to enhance the organization’s impact.
• Serve on public and private external bodies such as coalitions, boards, and steering committees.
• Work with the Communications Department to develop and execute communication strategies to convey the organization’s policy positions and advocacy efforts to Tribes, members, media, and the public.
• Direct the development of briefing materials, testimony, and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Track and report on the progress of legislative and regulatory initiatives, assessing their impact on Indian health.
• Provide regular updates and reports to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board of Directors on advocacy activities and outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, Law, or a related field; Master’s or advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum of 810 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or legislative advocacy, with a strong track record of success in a nonprofit environment.
• At least five years of leadership and management experience with direct responsibility for organizational government relations operations and cross‑departmental collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience in federal, state, or Tribal government relations.
• Strong understanding of policy processes, particularly as it relates to Indian Country.
• Indepth knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process with experience engaging with federal agencies (e.g., IHS, HHS, CMS, HRSA), Tribal leaders, and Congressional staff on matters impacting Tribal communities.
• Proven track record in developing and executing organizational strategies that advance mission‑driven goals, particularly within the Tribal health, public policy, or nonprofit sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to translate high‑level vision into actionable, measurable plans that drive impact and align with the organization’s priorities and values.
• Experience managing complex, cross‑functional initiatives that support long‑term sustainability, advocacy, and service delivery.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

The National Indian Health Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.