NAC Careers

Open Positions

Vice President, Policy and Advocacy

Position Overview

The Vice President of Policy and Advocacy is a senior leader at the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), responsible for driving a bold, integrated policy and advocacy agenda that advances national solutions for the nation’s 63+ million family caregivers. Reporting to the Chief External Affairs Officer, this role sets the strategic vision for federal policy engagement and leads efforts to achieve meaningful systems change.

The VP will manage and develop a high-performing team and serve as a primary spokesperson for NAC’s policy priorities. This leader will shape and execute multi-faceted advocacy strategies, influence federal policy development, and cultivate strong relationships with policymakers and key stakeholders across the health, aging, and long-term care fields.

This role requires a strategic thinker and effective communicator with a passion for advancing policies that improve the lives of family caregivers. This position is based in the Washington, DC area.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Set and drive a cohesive, action-oriented policy and advocacy strategy aligned with NAC’s mission, strategic priorities, and external landscape.
• Establish and execute an annual policy agenda that anticipates emerging trends and opportunities across aging, healthcare, and long-term services and supports.
• Define and advance a clear long-term policy vision that positions NAC for sustained national impact.
• Advise executive leadership with actionable insights and strategic guidance on policy direction and positioning.

Policy & Advocacy Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of integrated advocacy strategies to advance federal policy priorities.
• Oversee the creation of high-impact policy products, including regulatory comments, legislative language, briefs, and thought leadership.
• Oversee the planning and execution of advocacy engagements including Congressional briefings and NAC’s annual Advocacy Hill Day.
• Ensure policy positions are grounded in research, data, and partner input.

Government Affairs & External Engagement

• Lead federal government affairs strategy, engaging Congress, federal agencies, and the Administration, with a focus on Medicare, Medicaid, and appropriations.
• Build and sustain strong, bipartisan relationships with policymakers and key stakeholders.
• Monitor, analyze, and influence legislative and regulatory developments impacting family caregivers.
• Represent NAC in external meetings, briefings, and coalitions to advance organizational priorities.

Partnerships, Coalitions & Thought Leadership

• Serve as the primary external voice and subject matter expert on NAC policy priorities, representing the organization at senior levels with federal agencies, funders, and national policy forums.
• Set the strategic direction for NAC’s coalition and partnership work and supervise staff in executing that strategy across NAC’s partnership ecosystem.
• Cultivate senior-level relationships with key partners and stakeholders that advance NAC’s broader policy and organizational goals.
• Manage external consultants to ensure alignment, quality, and accountability.

Organizational Leadership, Alignment & Operations

• Lead and develop a high-performing Policy & Advocacy team.
• Drive alignment across policy, communications, research, and programmatic efforts to ensure cohesive execution.
• Oversee department planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and streamlined processes, including deliverable tracking and SOPs for policy review and approval.
• Ensure strong execution through effective project management and regular organization-wide communication on policy and advocacy activities.

Resource Development & Organizational Sustainability

• Partner with senior leadership to support funder and donor engagement tied to policy and advocacy priorities.
• Contribute to grant development, reporting, and stewardship.
• Identify and advance opportunities to secure and expand funding aligned with policy goals.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s or Masters degree in political science, health policy, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 10-15 years of progressive, professional experience successfully advancing federal policy through multi-pronged advocacy strategies for mission-driven organizations.
  • Experience in caregiving, aging, disability, and other healthcare related policy issues; experience with Medicare and Medicaid policy is a plus.

Strategic & Leadership Expertise

• Demonstrates senior leadership with 5+ years in director-level or equivalent senior management roles with responsibility for strategic direction, department management, and budget oversight.
• Proven track record of building and leading teams.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about the policy department’s role in organizational mission and impact.
• Experience managing staff and complex, multi-functional projects.
• Strong decision-making skills with ability to set priorities and allocate resources effectively.

External Relations & Communication

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience representing policy issues in congressional briefings, policy forums, or media engagements.
• Strong relationship-building skills across the caregiving sector including nonprofits, government, and private sector stakeholders.

Business & Political Acumen

• Understanding of how policy and advocacy support organizational development, partnerships, and revenue generation.
• Experience with business development, fundraising, or resource acquisition.
• Ability to navigate the intersection of research, policy, and advocacy.
• Understanding of the political landscape affecting caregiving policy and aging services.

Core Competencies

• Visionary Leadership & Research Innovation: Ability to articulate a compelling policy vision for NAC and the care field, inspiring teams and partners.
• Strategic Thinking: Can see the big picture while understanding operational implications.
• Collaborative Influence: Builds coalitions and drives change without direct authority.
• Executive Presence: Commands respect and credibility in diverse settings.
• Communication Excellence: Translates complexity into clarity for any audience.
• Political Savvy: Navigates organizational and external politics effectively.
• Results Orientation: Focuses on measurable impact and outcomes.
• Adaptive Leadership: Thrives in dynamic environments and leads through ambiguity.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual Salary: $120,000-$130,000 depending on experience
• TIAA 403(b) Retirement: Quarterly contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan, no match required.
• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance, with employee contribution.
• Life and Disability Insurance, no employee share required.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for health-related purchases and/or dependent care.
• Monthly stipend for mobile phone usage.
• 15 Days of Paid Time Off annually, accrued bi-weekly; pro-rated in first year to start date.
• 5 Paid Sick Days, pro-rated to start date (but not less than 3 days) and immediately available.
• Caregiving Support and Specialized Leave, including paid leave related to family and medical needs, bereavement leave, and other types of workplace accommodations, subject to state and local laws.
• Paid Federal Holidays and Winter Holiday (Office closed 12/24 through 1/1).
• Paid Monthly WMATA SmartBenefits or parking up to $130/monthly (DC employees).
• Flex-time and hybrid work schedule available.
• Paid membership in an organization/association of your choosing—to be aligned with the work performed for NAC.

Please email your resume in confidence to:

Andrew Zalman
andrew@searchls.com

NAC is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Candidates of diverse backgrounds, minorities, women, people with disabilities, people of LGBT orientation, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.