National Director, The Network for Public Health Law

The Network for Public Health Law seeks an experienced nonprofit leader with deep knowledge of the public health field to increase the reach and impact of public health law.

Organization

The Network for Public Health Law (the Network) knows that understanding, navigating, and using law and policy can transform the health of our communities.  By providing legal guidance, the Network assists public health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and community organizations with taking strategic action to protect, promote, and improve health.

Since its launch in 2010, the Network has provided high-quality guidance and assistance to the public health community on myriad issues, including support around reducing drug-related harm, expanding public health data sharing, preserving broad public health authority, addressing food insecurity, and enacting response measures to mitigate harm from the COVID-19 pandemic, among many others. All this work centers health equity and reducing the negative impact of systemic racism. 

The Network is comprised of the National Office and five Regional Offices; the National Director provides overall organizational leadership. The National Office is comprised of five staff members based in Edina, Minnesota, including the Managing Director who oversees organizational development, operations, finance, and marketing communications. The National Director may join the Edina office or work remotely. The five Regional Offices (Eastern, Mid-States, Northern, Southeastern, and Western) employ an additional 25 staff members, including Region Directors who provide direct staff supervision in their regions.  The Network’s Advisory Board consists of 10 leaders in public health and other sectors. The Network has an annual operating budget of $5M.

Opportunity

With its nonpartisan focus on public health law and prioritization of health equity, the Network is at the forefront of the national dialogue on the importance of public health. The National Director will lead the Network by:

Serving as a Leader to the National Public Health Community by solidifying the Network’s position as a convener and connector for public health and public health law organizations, providing collective learning and collaboration opportunities, and facilitating the use of law and policy in public health practice.

Developing and Overseeing a Strategic Plan to elevate the critical role of the Network as it continues to address public health and health equity issues, refining organizational structure to ensure that the efforts of the five Region Offices are cohesive and support the strategic plan.

Diversifying Funding Sources by developing relationships that will generate new revenue streams and by identifying and pursuing funding opportunities that support the Network’s goals and sustainability.

Organizational Management

• Lead and oversee development and implementation of a strategic plan, working closely with Region Directors and staff to ensure alignment and achievement of national goals
• Reinforce diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging values across the Network’s staff and work products
• Guide the development of organizational practices that promote efficiency and cohesion across this uniquely comprised organization with offices in five states and employees across the country
• Ensure responsible financial management and effective allocation of resources, oversee budget management
• Coordinate the prioritization of efforts across the National and Region Offices, including completion of grant deliverables
• With Managing Director, oversee National Office operations
• Set agenda and lead meetings with National Office and Regional Office Directors and staff
• Maintain the Network’s National Advisory Board, engaging current members to provide guidance on strategic areas of focus and potential funding, and oversee recruitment of new members.

Fundraising/ Sustainability

• Champion and raise the profile of the Network in public health and other relevant sectors
• Develop strategies to increase and diversify sources of revenue to support organizational stability and growth
• Develop and grow relationships with potential funders to support short- and long-term revenue strategies
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with current funders.

Network Services

• Create and oversee implementation of a strategy to increase the Network’s reach, range, and methods of legal technical assistance provided
• Review policies and procedures for the development and evaluation of the Network’s products and services
• Oversee programming and planning for biennial national conference and other national convenings
• Provide regular guidance and outreach to national public health organizations on the Network’s capacity building support in the use of law as a tool to improve public health
• Support National Office staff’s marketing and communications strategies to raise awareness of the Network, its products, and services.

Strategic Partnerships

• Oversee prioritization of public health law and policy needs, and programs to address those needs
• Establish and lead strategic partnerships in public health as well as other sectors that impact health
• Develop and implement joint strategic initiatives with public health law and other partners.

Special requirements

• Frequent domestic travel for conferences, meetings with potential funders and partners, and internal Network meetings.

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in public health, public health policy, or public health law
• Graduate degree required; JD, MPH, or DrPH preferred
• Experience leading a nonprofit organization that advocates for health and equity related policy issues, in the public health and/or social justice communities
• Track record of ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging values are embedded into an organization
• Team builder and team leader with experience and skills in staff management/development and leading collaborative decision-making
• Proven ability to create revenue streams and raise funds
• Strong networking and convening skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Unquestionable integrity and high ethical standards

Application Guidelines

This executive search is being conducted by TSNE with consultants Anna Asphar and Mimi Brunelle. Interested candidates should submit materials via this application link.

Electronic submissions sent through this link are preferred. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential within the search committee.

Candidates should include a resume and a cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of the Network, along with salary expectations and how they learned of the position.

Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. The salary range for this position starts at $150,000.  The Network also offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, long term disability, paid time off, and a retirement savings plan.

The Network actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates and welcomes people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, religions, ages, and sexual orientations to apply. The Network will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or disability status, or any other factor prohibited by law.