Policy Lead

JOB POSTING

Policy Lead

Organization: CASPR (Center for Addiction Science, Policy & Research) - caspr.org

Location: Remote, D.C. area semi-preferred

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: $90,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience

Type: Full-time

About CASPR

CASPR (caspr.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing addiction at the population level through research, pilot programs, and policy. We are a grassroots nonprofit, not funded by pharma or corporate interests. We work at the intersection of pharmaceutical policy, drug development, and public health, advancing high-leverage, evidence-based approaches to the addiction crisis. Our advisory board includes some of the most well-known international experts in the field, and our work was recently featured in STAT, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.

There are several CASPR policy proposals that form the heart of our agenda. You can read them here, which includes An Innovation Agenda for Addiction, our core addiction policy framework.

The Role

The Policy Lead will run CASPR's policy operation in collaboration with our Executive Director. You will interface with the Hill, federal agencies, think tanks, patient advocates, and the broader health policy community.

A current priority is our proposal for an NIH High-Leverage Trials (HILT) Program, which would dedicate NIH funding to run large-scale, definitive Phase III trials on off-patent drugs and supplements that the private sector won't study due to lack of IP incentives. Strategically selected trials could generate health breakthroughs as well as hundreds of billions in savings for the American public.

We are also actively advancing work to prevent online gambling addiction through our new program, Life Savings, which includes model legislation, state report cards, and financial analysis. We are engaged with state legislators across the country as well as members of Congress who support addiction-prevention policies for this rapidly growing public health risk.

Our policy priorities will evolve over time and as opportunities arise. CASPR needs someone who can move fluidly through granular scientific evidence, policy details, political strategy, and stakeholder relationships. We need a leader who finds genuine satisfaction in moving real policy through a complex political environment.

What You Would Do

• Advance CASPR's policy agenda.
• Build and maintain a diverse coalition of allies: think tanks, patient advocacy organizations, fiscal watchdogs, administration allies, health systems, and research institutions.
• In collaboration with our lobbyist, develop and execute a bipartisan congressional strategy for advancing legislation.
• Develop relationships with key congressional offices, particularly on Senate HELP and Finance committees, and prepare briefings, one-pagers, testimony, and floor language that translate complex health economics into arguments legislators actually use.
• Work with the scientific team to strengthen the evidence case for HILT and for specific trial candidates, translating clinical and economic research into durable legislative arguments.
• Anticipate and pre-empt objections from CBO, OMB, industry lobbyists, and skeptical staff before they surface.
• Represent CASPR at conferences, briefings, and stakeholder convenings; serve as a credible external spokesperson on health policy.
• Participate in fundraising conversations with policy-aligned foundations and major donors.

Who We Need

• 2–6 years of experience in federal health policy, congressional affairs, or a related field. Hill or executive branch experience is a meaningful advantage.
• Solid understanding of how federal health policy is developed and advanced. Familiarity with Medicare, Medicaid, CBO scoring, payer dynamics, and political viability.
• Some experience working in or with NIH, FDA, Congress, CMS, or similar; or a strong interest and demonstrated ability to engage effectively in these environments.
• Track record of contributing to programmatic work: legislation, campaigns, coalitions.
• Comfort with scientific and clinical evidence, ability to engage substantively with researchers.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an orientation toward action.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, lean nonprofit startup-style environment.
• High value alignment with CASPR's existing work and approach.

To Apply

Send a brief cover letter and resume to hiring@caspr.org or apply on Idealist. In your cover letter, tell us about a specific policy campaign or effort you've worked on: what your role was and the obstacles and opportunities of the project.

Fast paced environment, high impact potential

Fluent in English