Executive Director

ABOUT HEALTH & MEDICINE POLICY RESEARCH GROUP

Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (HMPRG, or “Health & Medicine”) is a Chicago-based independent non-profit health policy and advocacy organization working to improve the health of all people in Illinois by promoting health equity. With a four-decade history of promoting health justice in Chicago and throughout Illinois through research, education, policy development, advocacy, and collaboration, it began in 1981 and has grown to be a leading trusted voice in Illinois, as it develops and advocates for policies and systems change that will advance health justice.

HMPRG is led by a working board, in which Board members are recruited for and share their expertise in public health, healthcare, and related fields. Board members actively apply their expertise and vision in collaboration with the Executive Director and staff in advancing the mission of the organization.

For more information about Health & Medicine, please visit: https://www.hmprg.org/

ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION

The Board of Directors is seeking a courageous progressive public health leader who will collaborate with the Board to co-create a strategic vision for HMPRG that meets the challenges of our present political era, while also leading staff and organization to fulfill that vision.

Under the direction of the Board of Directors and in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, the Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration and operations of the organization, including human resources and overall organizational planning, budget development and implementation, while upholding the organization’s mission and values. The Executive Director will have deep public health knowledge from an academic, government and policy lens, with an appreciation for and reliance on systems-based and community health understanding of the Chicagoland region. The ED will collaborate and negotiate with a newly formed worker’s union.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary leader of Health & Medicine, ensuring mission-aligned program execution, organizational stability, and operational integrity; serve as H & M’s ambassador to external constituencies and develop/maintain relationships with local, state and national constituencies.
• Promote an organizational culture that stimulates open communication and supports collaboration while providing inspiration, support, and guidance to the team to ensure individual and organizational success.
• Lead responsibility of the financial, budgetary, supervision, fundraising, program implementation and relationship-building activities of the organization.
• Stay abreast of the current trends in public health policy and work to anticipate future trends; understand the local, state and national public health system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Visionary Leadership

• In collaboration with the Board of Directors, lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the strategic direction of HMPRG.
• Function both as a public health thought leader and also as a facilitator to elicit and nurture ideas from Board and staff.
• Consistently model political courage.

Organizational Management

• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment where all team members can thrive professionally and personally.
• Provide oversight and coaching to Senior Leadership Team members and program staff.
• Ensure the regular annual evaluation of programs and the effective incorporation of results to inform future program and policy decisions.

Financial Management

• Be responsible for the successful financial management of the organization, including H & M’s budgets, financial planning, forecasting and related policies and procedures, audit, and bank accounts.
• Build upon organizational management strategies, systems, and practices that support a coherent approach to decision making, planning, and staffing.

Development and Funder Relations

• Develop effective working relationships with funders.
• Work with Director of Development to lead fundraising for the organization.
• Work with the Board and staff to cultivate, solicit and steward individual donors and funders.
• Lead a grant strategy and ensure compliance of all budgetary expectations and timely reporting.

Public Health Leadership

• Serve as the “public face of HMPRG”, representing the organization to diverse stakeholders including elected office holders, public officials, the academic public health and medical schools, and communities impacted by health policies.
• Act as a liaison with public health leadership at local and state levels, leveraging board relationships.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills (oral and written) and a keen sense of the audience.

Policy & Advocacy

• Guide the development of policy positions that advance health equity.
• Develop and implement an advocacy strategy for policies developed and/or supported by HMPRG.

Board Relations and Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and staff.
• Prepare for, attend and participate in all board meetings and Executive Committee meetings, including developing agendas in collaboration with the Board Chair; prepare and present regular updates at Board and Executive Committee meetings.
• Partner with the Board to ensure capacity and governance of the organization.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

A note to potential candidates: In listing what we have identified as essential functions of the Executive Director above, the Board acknowledges that we may have unconscious biases that unintentionally privileges individuals with certain backgrounds or experiences. It is our goal to consider candidates with diverse life experiences and skills that can contribute to the growth of HMPRG and the advancement of our fight for social justice in healthcare.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit applications even if they do not have experience fulfilling all the listed functions. Health & Medicine Policy Research Group is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization, and finding the best candidate for the Executive Director role. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented communities to apply.

• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, nonprofit management or related field preferred.
• Significant experience in nonprofit leadership, with a strong background in health policy, public health, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operations and lead diverse teams.
• Proven success in fundraising, grant management, strategic thought and communications.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization externally to diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with the health policy landscape in Illinois is desirable, but not mandatory. Applicants with relevant experience from outside of our region are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, health justice and organizational values.

Desired Skills and Experiences

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible visionary leadership and supervisory experience within the nonprofit sector preferred.
• Significant experience within or adjacent to nonprofits and/or public health entities, with demonstrated success serving underserved communities.
• Excellent leadership and management skills; strong team player who appreciates the strength of staff and encourages/support their growth with compassion, empathy and patience.
• Demonstrated unyielding commitment to social justice and health equity.
• Strategic flexibility with the ability to adapt tactics to social or political circumstances.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $175,000 annually commensurate with experience. H & M offers a competitive benefits package with 100% employer-paid medical, dental and vision, generous PTO (3 weeks or 15 days) per year in addition to paid sick time, 10 paid holidays and a 401K retirement plan, with employer contribution after one year.

HOW TO APPLY

Morten Group, LLC is assisting with the initial stages of this search up to the interview process. Applicants should complete the form available at mortengroup.com/executive-placements/hmprg including the submission of a cover letter and resume in PDF format by the best consideration date of Friday, February 27, 2026. Cover letters will be evaluated as a writing sample. Please note that only those applicants invited to a screening interview will be contacted between March 2 – March 13, 2026.

Health & Medicine encourages individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply and is dedicated to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other personal characteristic not relevant to an advertised position.

Hiring and promotions of employees shall be performed without prejudice with regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other personal characteristic not relevant to the position, including political affiliation, marital status, parental status, and arrest record. Health & Medicine does not tolerate harassment of any kind and will act in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

HMPRG offers a competitive benefits package with 100% employer-paid medical, dental and vision, generous PTO (3 weeks or 15 days) per year in addition to paid sick time, 10 paid holidays and a 401K retirement plan, with employer contribution after one year.