Policy Officer

About the Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To achieve this, we work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we collaborate with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.

At RWJF, we work toward three Generational Goals: Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing, Equitable and Accountable Public Health and Healthcare Systems, and Healthy and Equitable Community Conditions. We are guided by principles rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, which strengthen our ability to address pressing health issues and foster a culture of belonging. We actively shape an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity.

About the Role

Reporting to the associate vice president, Policy, the policy officer is responsible for ensuring that relevant and timely nonpartisan research and analysis, advocacy, strategic communications, and grantmaking efforts work together to address pressing issues in health and social policy aligned with the Foundation’s focus areas and priorities. The policy officer plays two key roles: providing strategic guidance on policy issues across RWJF departments and contributing to Policy department activities. The role requires a passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Policy department activities, including strategy development, execution, and monitoring of grantmaking, government relations, and strategic alignment. Monitor and learn from programs, grants, and government relations activities; disseminate knowledge; and center equity, structural racism, and intersectional forms of oppression in learning, program development, and management.
• Lead the design and management of strategic grantmaking initiatives that support Foundation-wide policy priorities and the department’s direct influence efforts. Identify potential policy and advocacy partners, evaluate their alignment with Foundation priorities, assess their capacity, manage resulting grants, apply equitable philanthropic principles, and learn from the work over time.
• Assist in grantee information sharing and coalition-building. Work toward external alignment of grantees working toward a shared vision through different strategies and tactics. Cultivate trusting relationships with grantee and field leaders to inform program development, implementation, and management, and stay informed of field advancements.
• Facilitate relationships, coordination, grantmaking, and strategy with other RWJF departments. Develop and maintain an understanding of the policy agendas, priorities, and activities of the Foundation’s strategic portfolios and related activities of the Communications and Research-Evaluation-Learning departments. Use this understanding to shape grantmaking and direct influence (government relations) strategies.
• Identify and develop cross-portfolio connections and coordination opportunities, including information sharing, shared learning, government relations activities, gatherings, joint strategic frameworks, or co-funding.
• Facilitate support for and learning from policy-focused grantee organizations that work with multiple departments or portfolios. Create and facilitate forums for staff from multiple RWJF portfolios to share insights, align strategies, and learn from common grantees.
• Track and coordinate key areas (e.g., advocacy, public health, power-building) that cut across RWJF. Identify appropriate ways for the Policy department to engage on these issues.
• Develop and maintain institutional relationships with national, regional, state, and local funders in collaboration with other departments.
• Represent the Foundation publicly regarding advancing equity, policy priorities, funding, and results.
• Respond to public inquiries about the application process.
• Participate in department activities and efforts to improve team functioning, including following team norms and providing support and backup for team members.

Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study. Additional relevant experience may substitute for an advanced degree.
• Knowledge of designing, implementing, and advancing programmatic or policy strategies, including work in public health, equity, philanthropy, advocacy, government, or closely related fields.
• Knowledge of equity-focused systems change, including how institutional, network-level, or field-based interventions are designed, assessed, and refined to advance policy and systems outcomes.
• Skill in facilitating strategic collaboration, shared learning, and alignment across diverse partners, disciplines, departments, and contexts in matrixed environments.
• Ability to build, sustain, and leverage relationships and partnerships at the local, regional, and national levels to advance shared change and policy objectives.
• Proficiency in clear, respectful written and verbal communication, including presenting complex or sensitive issues to internal leadership, grantees, funders, and external audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively, applying judgment to balance competing demands, advance program goals, and deliver results.
• Judgment to operate effectively in ambiguous and high-visibility contexts, including identifying risks, consulting appropriate internal partners (e.g., Communications, Legal), and exercising role-appropriate discretion.
• Knowledge of philanthropy and grantmaking processes, and the ability to apply that knowledge to design, manage, and learn from strategic grantmaking initiatives over time.
• Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to travel to the Princeton or Washington, D.C. office for relevant internal meetings and other in-person events as requested.
• Ability to travel for grantee meetings, conferences, site visits, and community events.
• Deep social justice values and commitment to the practice of racial justice, health equity, and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.

Candidates with the following experience will be given consideration for a higher placement within the salary range:

• Seven (7) years of experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.
• Nine (9) years of experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.

Location

This position is assigned to either the Princeton, N.J. or Washington, D.C. office.

Schedule

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP) model. On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet expectations.

Pay

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $140,700. Candidates with directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements may be offered a higher starting salary of up to $154,770.

Benefits

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits, generous paid time off, and more. Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job.