The Carter Center: Sr. Associate Director, Public Policy, The Rosalyn Carter Mental Health and Caregivers Program (RCMHCP)

Emory University•Atlanta, GA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Associate Director (S.A.D.) of Public Policy reports to the Director of the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health & Caregivers Program (RCMHCP) within Health Programs and oversees the Public Policy pillar. The role develops, implements, and evaluates the program’s U.S.-based policy portfolio and provides strategic planning for public policy in collaboration with other pillar leads. It advances strategies to improve mental health and caregiving systems through coalition-building, education, research translation, stakeholder engagement, and policy implementation support. Caregiving-related work is coordinated with the S.A.D. for Caregiving. The position leads state, regional, and national policy initiatives focused on access to mental health care, school-based behavioral health systems, support for family caregivers, and alternative crisis response. It oversees strategic planning, partnerships, grant-funded initiatives, public-private collaborations, and policy-focused learning networks, while managing a team of policy professionals. The role supervises staff, graduate assistants, and interns. Periodic international travel and re-entry into the United States may be required; Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) is required due to travel locations. The role may work from home regularly but must be able to commute to The Carter Center on a flexible weekly schedule based on business needs and agreed guidelines. The Carter Center may change remote-work status with notice. Non-exempt employees must reside in Georgia. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a field related to the program and seven years of professional experience related to the program, plus previous supervisory and program/project management experience, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
Ability to commute to The Carter Center on a flexible weekly schedule based on business needs.
Currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
Non-exempt employees must reside within Georgia.
Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) is required due to travel locations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in health and/or behavioral health, public policy, public health, advocacy, government relations, or related fields.
Expertise in mental/behavioral health, health policy pertaining to health coverage, caregiving, and education or related fields.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Experience engaging policymakers, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
Strong project management, facilitation, and coalition-building skills.

Responsibilities

Lead the RCMHCP Public Policy pillar and align its strategies, goals, and measures with program and institutional priorities.
Set short- and long-term goals, assess opportunities and constraints, and recommend strategic changes to the Director.
Advance mental health and caregiving systems change through policy education, coalitions, stakeholder engagement, implementation support, and public awareness.
Track policy trends and integrate public policy goals, activities, and metrics across U.S.-focused work.
Develop, monitor, and manage budgets, expenditures, projections, funding allocations, grants, contracts, and partnerships.
Partner with Development and program leaders on funding strategies, donor relationships, proposals, reports, agreements, stewardship, and impact measurement.
Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of domestic mental health and caregiving policy strategies and initiatives.
Build and oversee a Southeast regional coalition and targeted national initiatives for policy education, partnership, and collective action.
Set project plans, performance measures, and evaluation frameworks; advise the Director on priorities, positioning, and external engagement.
Represent RCMHCP with policymakers, government agencies, donors, advocates, partners, and other Carter Center programs.
Serve as a subject matter expert, deliver presentations, and work with Communications and pillar leads to explain policy priorities to diverse audiences.
Supervise Public Policy staff and support recruitment, hiring, staff development, performance management, and team effectiveness.
Provide guidance and ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures; may recommend and develop efficient procedures for program activities.
Maintain professional growth and development for self and program staff by identifying educational and training programs, professional organizations, activities, and resources to maintain knowledge of national trends and promote expertise.
Perform related responsibilities as required.