Policy Manager
Boston, MA (Hybrid)
External Affairs /
Full Time /
Hybrid
Care. No matter what:
PPLM has been a leader in promoting sexual health for more than 90 years. We believe that all people deserve the information and expert services to make informed, personal decisions that affect their health, their lives and their futures. We are the state’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services. We educate families and empower youth to make responsible choices that lead to healthier lives. We advocate for policies that improve sexual health.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
PPLM believes sexual health is essential to every person’s overall health, well-being and happiness. We recognize that geographical and systemic barriers entrenched in discrimination and stigma prevent people in Massachusetts from having equitable opportunity to choose their own path and access to sexual and reproductive health care. In order to address health equity in communities across Massachusetts in an authentic way, we must start with ourselves. We are taking focused steps to make progress in our own organization. We have embarked on a diversity, equity and inclusion journey that will lead us toward becoming an organization that better reflects our patients and embodies cultural humility. We are wholeheartedly committed to this work.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF) seeks a highly motivated, detail oriented and experienced professional to manage the organization’s health policy work. The Policy Manager coordinates the legal and policy research within the external affairs department and supports the External Affairs’ team policy advocacy efforts. They help research, develop, and implement health policy work on the municipal, state, and federal levels. This includes ensuring health policy is coordinated in ways that lead to the improvement of equitable access to sexual and reproductive health care, building and sustaining PPAF’s power and role in the movement for reproductive rights, health and freedom, and centering PPAF’s programs around health equity and racial justice.
The Policy Manager will oversee the legal and policy research that PPLM/PPAF conducts, including identifying research topics and funding opportunities, working closely with a legal consultant on ongoing grant-funded research, and managing the team’s legal co-ops each semester and summer. This role involves significant coordination with relevant teams across the organization in order to bring research to fruition.
The person in this role will also develop relationships with coalition partners and governmental agencies. These relationships will help identify and pursue opportunities that ensure advancement of our health policy program aligned with our strategic goals. This work includes coordinating actions with our different departments within PPLM and PPAF to develop policy strategy.
This role reports directly to the Director of Health Policy and Government Relations and works closely with other members of the External Affairs team, as well as the ASPIRE Center and Equity and Engagement team.
Compensation: $75,000/year
SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday; weekend and evening hours if necessary
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist in the development of the legislative agenda published every legislative session.
- Develop policy memoranda that will be distributed to legislative and regulatory agencies, internally, and to coalition partners.
- Work collaboratively with organizing and legislative advocacy leadership and staff to develop and implement policy strategy that advances PPLM/PPAF’s strategic health goals.
- Sit in as a representative of PPAF in partner coalition meetings.
- Draft testimony for municipal, state, and national hearings and assist in coalition building.
- Research health policy initiatives and debrief staff on our policy goals.
- Work with Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s (PPFA) legislative staff to ensure national legislative initiatives are aligned with that of PPAF.
- Assist in partner efforts such as legislative briefings, lobby days, and health center tours.
- Manage legal and policy interns and the relationship with our legal consultant.
- Manage legal research program, including identifying and securing grant opportunities, establishing external partnerships with academics and like-minded organizations, and recruiting and managing legal co-ops.
- Support and further PPLM’s Equity Action Plan and journey to become an anti-racist organization.
- Assist the DHPGR on day-to-day tasks and assignments.
- Other tasks and responsibilities as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Over 3 years of proven policy experience.
- Graduate degree in law or policy required; Juris Doctorate preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to DEI work; leadership experience in DEI a plus.
- Familiarity with Massachusetts legislative and political landscape.
- Experience with policy research and memorandum development.
- Expertise in sexual and reproductive healthcare, including insurance coverage and abortion access.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfortable making public presentations required.
- Must possess the ability to think creatively and strategically, work independently and as a team member, meet deadlines, and prioritize work.
- Highly organized, detail oriented, flexible and solution oriented.
- Energetic, engaging, and passionate about sexual and reproductive health advocacy and policy.
- Demonstrated ability to work with people of different races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, and experiences.
- Frequent statewide travel is necessary; reliable transportation required.
- Schedule will vary and include some nights and weekends.
- Ability to speak additional languages preferred.
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes; health, dental and vision insurance, 11 paid holidays, 403B retirement plan with a 3% employer match, paid parental leave, paid time off, flexible spending accounts and more.
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.
