Summary
Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Senior Policy Advisor leads strategic efforts to advance Changent as a thought leader in early childhood policy through Medicaid and cross-sector systems change. The Senior Policy Advisor provides subject matter expertise on Medicaid and managed care, partners across teams and stakeholders to identify and pursue opportunities for systemic impact, and creates policy initiatives that strengthen organizational influence and sustainability.
Central to this position is translating complex policy landscapes into actionable strategies that support Implementing Partner Organizations (IPOs) in delivering and sustaining services for families in their communities. By advancing sustainable funding pathways and strengthening system alignment, this role ensures that Changent policy strategy not only elevates national influence but also enables IPOs to expand access and drive meaningful outcomes for children and families.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
50% | Medicaid Strategy and Partnership Development
- Serve as the lead expert on Medicaid and managed care, monitoring federal and state trends, guidance, and opportunities.
- Identify and pursue strategic opportunities with state Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations (MCOs), leveraging Medicaid financing to advance early childhood health outcomes.
- Create policy recommendations and financing strategies to strengthen programmatic sustainability and system integration.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support programs continuity and expansion through Medicaid funding pathways and integrate strategies into service delivery.
- Be the thought partner and resource to federal and state officials overseeing Medicaid funding and implementation.
- Represent Changent in Medicaid and health policy coalitions, advisory groups, and convenings.
- Report on the impact of Medicaid strategies, including partnership development and policy adoption across states and MCOs.
- Provide guidance to Implementing Partners and state agencies navigating Medicaid, FFPSA, and other reimbursement-based funding streams.
- Oversee Medicaid-related consultant engagements, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and integration into broader policy and partnership efforts.
30% | Policy Innovation and Thought Leadership
- Conceptualize and advance policy initiatives that position Changent as a leader in early childhood systems and family well-being.
- Translate research, field experience, and policy trends into actionable proposals and model policies.
- Lead the development of policy frameworks and tools that can be adopted by others, positioning Changent as a convener in the field.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to pilot and evaluate funding and policy innovations, sharing learnings with key audiences.
- Position Changent as an influential voice on Medicaid-funded early childhood interventions and related policy innovations through presentations, publications, and strategic convenings.
- Contribute to departmental strategic planning and priority-setting through Medicaid expertise and policy innovation insights.
- Serve as a thought partner to the Director, Policy & Government Affairs on cross-cutting policy issues.
20% | Policy Alignment and Organizational Positioning
- Facilitate the development and evolution of clear organizational positions on key issues affecting maternal and child health, early relational health, and other determinants of health.
- Review proposed policy engagements, external partnerships, and public statements for consistency with established positions and intended outcomes.
- Align with advocacy and government affairs teams to ensure consistent positioning and messaging.
- Contribute to departmental planning and reporting.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, public health, social work, law, or a related field.
- Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in Medicaid or managed care policy.
- Minimum 5 years of experience working in or with state Medicaid agencies or managed care organizations.
- Deep understanding of Medicaid, managed care, and state and federal financing mechanisms.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex policy and data into actionable strategies.
- Exceptional policy analysis, communication, and writing skills.
- Strategic thinking, systems-level problem-solving, and partnership development skills.
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional projects and influence in matrixed environments.
- Ability to synthesize information quickly and communicate clearly to diverse audiences.
- Experience with early childhood systems policy and funding strategies preferred, including maternal, infant, and early childhood health and early relational health.
- Ability to travel up to 20%, as needed.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position reports to the Director, Policy & Government Affairs and has no direct reports.
