Director of Wellness & Nutrition Policy - 386012

Drake University•Winnipeg, MB

21d•Onsite

About The Position

Drake University's Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement seeks its next Director of Wellness and Nutrition Policy. This role is essential to the wellbeing of individuals and communities in Iowa and beyond, focusing on public health, environmental sustainability, food security, and access to medical care. The successful candidate will be fiercely committed to pursuing non-partisan, progressive solutions, engaging policymakers, experts, and the public in solutions-oriented programming, decision-making, and dialogue. Key attributes include credentialed expertise in wellness, nutrition, or public health, a collaborative disposition, high integrity, and excellent communication skills. The director will advance the missions of The Harkin Institute and Drake University.

Requirements

A post-bachelor credential in a healthcare, wellness, nutrition, environmental science-related field, including public policy, law or legal studies, or medicine.
A minimum of five years of policy development, analysis, or implementation experience at the community, statewide, or national level on issues related to health, wellness, nutrition, and/or sustainable agriculture.
Demonstrated ability to analyze public policy proposals and measurable outcomes.
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Reliable professional judgement in navigating uncertainty.
Proven ability to foster a collaborative, team-oriented culture by building strong relationships across departments, encouraging open communication, and supporting shared organizational goals.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or above in a healthcare, wellness, nutrition, environmental science-related field, including public policy, law or legal studies, or medicine.
Ability to be resourceful and work independently.
High degree of comfort with ambiguity, uncertainty, and change.

Responsibilities

Proposing and advancing a progressive vision and actionable strategy for The Harkin Institute’s Wellness and Nutrition portfolio.
Coordinating and managing project development.
Collaborating with research fellows.
Overseeing the work of student associates.
Maintaining the annual Wellness and Nutrition office budget.
Planning and executing the annual Harkin on Wellness symposium.
Collaborating with and supporting the office of Communications, the Disability Policy office, and the Retirement Security office as opportunities arise.
Provide strategic direction and coordination to engage, grow and nurture wellness and nutrition policy research and initiatives.
Take the lead in developing and implementing the organization's wellness and nutrition policy agenda, research projects, and educational outreach.
Serve as the primary point person for managing wellness and nutrition policy and projects at the day-to-day level, including solving problems, fostering consensus.
Provide strategic oversight and guidance for the entire Wellness & Nutrition portfolio of projects and programming.
Supervise Institute Fellows, Legal Research Assistants, and undergraduate students employed as Public Policy Research Assistants.
Create and manage wellness and nutrition policy annual budget in collaboration with Chief of Staff and monitor spending across time.
Lead wellness and nutrition grant development efforts for the Institute and assist the Executive Director in maintaining positive relationships with donors.
Oversee all organizational wellness and nutrition outreach and education to advisory council members, staff, policy makers, stakeholders and the public.
Lead workshops and discussions to update policy makers, stakeholders, supporters and institute staff on wellness and nutrition policy updates and work products.
Present non-partisan information and outcomes on finished wellness and nutrition projects and recommend best practices to policy makers and the public.
Serve as a key team member of the Harkin Institute in supporting its mission and promise to improve the lives of all Americans by giving policymakers and public access to high-quality information and engaging citizens as active participants in the formation of public policy.
Serve on standing and ad hoc committees, attend training and events, as directed.
Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to coordinate initiatives, solve complex challenges, and ensure successful execution of organizational priorities.
Perform other duties, as assigned.