Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst - State Programming

Overview

The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) seeks a Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst to join its State Programming team. NAMD is recruiting for one position; candidates may be hired at the Analyst or Senior Analyst level depending on their qualifications (see below). This individual will play a key role in delivering high-impact programming on Medicaid budget and financing policy and other issues to Medicaid Directors and senior state and territory leaders across the country.

The role involves designing peer learning opportunities, managing relationships with state and national stakeholders, supporting strategic initiatives that strengthen Medicaid operations and policy implementation, and supporting convenings of Medicaid leaders. The ideal candidate brings strong program design and facilitation experience, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and a deep interest in supporting the Medicaid community through state and territory-led programming that reflects the diversity of all 56 state and territory Medicaid programs and the contexts in which they operate.

About NAMD

NAMD is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, professional association representing leaders of state and territory Medicaid agencies and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) across the country. Members from the 56 states and territories drive major innovations in health care while overseeing Medicaid and CHIP, two of the nation’s most vital health care programs serving millions of beneficiaries.

Position Description

The Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst, State Programming, will report to the Director of Medicaid Programming and serve as a core member of the team that designs and implements programming for senior Medicaid leaders. This individual will serve as a strategic partner to state and territory officials, helping to surface promising practices and solutions that can be locally tailored.

Specifically, the Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst will design and facilitate peer learning opportunities, elevate insights from the field, manage key partnerships, and support national initiatives aligned with Medicaid leaders’ priorities. The individual will also work collaboratively across teams to align programmatic activities with broader organizational priorities and contribute to NAMD’s ongoing mission of supporting Medicaid leaders across all states and territories.

Position Responsibilities

The Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst will play a central role in designing and delivering high-impact programming to Medicaid Directors and senior Medicaid leaders. Both the Policy Analyst and Senior Policy Analyst roles include the following responsibilities; the Senior Policy Analyst role also includes the additional responsibilities delineated below.

Program Design & Delivery

• Lead programming for senior Medicaid leaders with operational responsibility in policy areas such as Medicaid financing. This includes developing peer learning opportunities, facilitating calls and convenings, and liaising directly with Medicaid agency staff.
• Design and execute ad hoc learning collaboratives, workgroups, and virtual/in-person convenings that promote cross-state knowledge sharing and innovation on high-priority policy issues (e.g., health care cost growth, program integrity, federal policy implementation).
• Contribute to planning and content development for NAMD’s major conferences and events, including member-only sessions and programming with national partners and federal agency leaders.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Management

• Engage with national organizations and technical assistance providers working in Medicaid operational areas to ensure their programming aligns with state/territory priorities.
• Support implementation of NAMD’s cooperative agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including programming focused on rural health, preventive care, and other shared priorities. Support partnerships with philanthropic organizations, including developing grant deliverables.
• Represent NAMD in external meetings to elevate the perspectives of state and territory Medicaid leaders.

Policy Integration & Strategic Collaboration

• Work closely with NAMD’s Federal Policy team to inform NAMD’s federal engagement and policy work with applied examples from state programming.
• Monitor trends and emerging issues in Medicaid operations to proactively identify programming opportunities and support strategic planning.
• Collaborate across NAMD teams, including communications, policy, and events, to align programming with organizational priorities.

Knowledge Sharing & Content Development

• Develop written resources—such as issue briefs, blogs, and memos—that highlight innovations across the diversity of state and territory contexts, and that share insights from NAMD’s programming with other Medicaid agencies and public audiences.
• Translate programmatic insights into accessible content that supports learning across the Medicaid field.

Additional Responsibilities at the Senior Policy Analyst Level

• Manage partnerships with philanthropic organizations, including grant management, project management, and deliverable development.
• Independently represent NAMD with external partners, federal agencies, and philanthropic organizations and proactively build new partnerships that advance NAMD’s strategic aims.
• Advise on NAMD’s federal engagement and policy work, using learnings from state-level programming to inform strategy.
• Serve as NAMD’s subject matter expert on one or more domains of Medicaid policy. Use this subject matter expertise to advise on NAMD’s programming strategy.
• Support professional development, including content expertise and skills development, of Policy Associates and/or Senior Policy Associates, including through project-based supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

For Both Levels

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated strength in project management, with the ability to balance multiple priorities, coordinate with diverse stakeholders, and meet deadlines independently.
• Ability to work in a cooperative, fast-paced, and team-oriented environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas clearly, concisely, and in a neutral, accessible manner.
• Ability to work in a nonpartisan environment and represent the diverse viewpoints of all 50 states, DC, and the territories. Experience working with a diverse array of state and territory government leaders a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple competing tasks and self-direct workflow.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a practical, solutions oriented, and service-driven approach.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; familiarity with virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally for NAMD meetings and events outside the Washington, DC area.
• Lived experience with the Medicaid program is greatly valued by NAMD.

Policy Analyst

• At least 4-5 years of applied work experience in public policy, public health, government, or related areas. Applied work experience in health policy and/or working with state leaders a plus.
• Master’s degree in political science, public policy, public health, or other related area of study can substitute for two years of work experience.
• Deep interest in building expertise in Medicaid financing policy.

Senior Policy Analyst

• At least 6-8 years of applied work experience in public policy, public health, government, or related areas, with some applied work experience in health policy. Applied work experience in Medicaid, state budgets, or health care financing policy a plus.
• Master’s degree in political science, public policy, public health or other related area of study can substitute for two years of work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in program design and execution, including programming that convenes individuals with diverse viewpoints and perspectives.
• Demonstrated experience independently representing an organization in external engagements with partner organizations, federal agencies, and philanthropic funders.
• Demonstrated experience in managing relationships across multiple stakeholders and aligning differing interests to move work forward.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly build subject matter expertise in Medicaid policy.

NAMD offers a comprehensive, competitive benefits package designed to support the needs of NAMD employees, including:

• Retirement Plan: Employer match of up to 5% after six months, plus a discretionary employer contribution of 5% after one year, with no employee contribution required for the employer contribution. Your contributions are vested from day one.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Monthly cellular reimbursement
• Annual stipend for professional development
• Generous vacation and leave policy
• Flexible telework policy with two days in office/three days remote per week