Senior Policy Advisor-Public Health

Heluna Health•La Puente, CA

15h•$107,000 - $115,000

About The Position

Heluna Health is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative Senior Policy Advisor, Public Health to strengthen the organization’s voice, influence, and leadership in California’s public health landscape and beyond. The role monitors and responds to the evolving public health policy and funding environment, coordinates policy engagement across Heluna Health’s programs, partners, and clients, and identifies opportunities to amplify the collective impact of their work. Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Communications, with a dotted-line relationship to the CEO, the Senior Policy Advisor serves as a resource and advisor on emerging public health trends, policy developments, and funding priorities at the state and federal levels. The advisor works with leadership, programs, partners, and clients to understand policy and advocacy priorities and shape a coordinated approach to public health policy engagement. This is an individual-contributor role focused on policy analysis, strategic advising, and coordination, with considerable latitude to develop the position, build relationships, and identify opportunities. It is not a lobbying or government-relations position: the role does not prepare regulatory comment letters on Heluna Health’s behalf or manage legislative relationships. Organizational advocacy activity is coordinated with the CEO and legal counsel to ensure compliance with nonprofit and public-funding requirements. The salary range is $107,000–$115,000 annually, depending on skills and qualifications.

Requirements

Master’s degree in public health (MPH), public policy (MPP), or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in public health, public policy, advocacy, public health administration, government relations, or a related field.
Deep knowledge of California public health systems, institutions, policy environment, funding mechanisms, and key stakeholders.
Understanding of federal public health policy and its implications for state and local programs.
Strong understanding of how public health programs are funded, administered, and delivered, including the roles of government agencies, nonprofits, community-based partners, and funders.
Demonstrated ability to research and analyze complex policy and funding developments, anticipate implications, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise executive briefings, policy analyses, and substantive thought leadership content.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships, navigate diverse stakeholder interests, and coordinate work across organizations and teams.
Entrepreneurial, intellectually curious, and self-directed approach, with sound judgment and ability to work effectively with considerable autonomy.

Responsibilities

Monitor and analyze federal and California public health policy, legislative, regulatory, and funding developments and their implications for Heluna Health, its programs, partners, and clients.
Conduct policy analyses, environmental scans, and landscape reviews to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and potential effects on public health funding and service delivery.
Prepare timely, actionable briefings and strategic analyses for the CEO and senior leadership, translating complex developments into practical insights and recommendations.
Advise the CEO on emerging public health issues, sector dynamics, and opportunities for Heluna Health to contribute to policy discussions.
Support business development with intelligence on public health trends, funding priorities, opportunities, and the evolving needs of agencies, funders, and partners.
Develop and maintain an understanding of policy interests, advocacy priorities, and operating environments across Heluna Health’s programs, partners, clients, and funders.
Build internal relationships to identify, coordinate, and track policy and advocacy priorities, activities, and collaboration opportunities.
Help develop and implement a coordinated organizational approach to public health policy engagement aligned with Heluna Health’s mission and strategic priorities.
Identify opportunities to support, connect, and amplify partners’ and clients’ policy and advocacy efforts while respecting their distinct missions and priorities.
Facilitate information sharing and coordination across programs and partners; work with leadership and legal counsel to help ensure policy and advocacy activities comply with applicable requirements.
Work with the CEO and Director of Marketing & Communications to identify priority issues and opportunities for organizational positioning, visibility, and thought leadership.
Provide research, analysis, and content for CEO speeches, presentations, articles, opinion pieces, policy statements, and external forums.
Help position Heluna Health as a credible and influential voice on public health infrastructure, funding, policy, and effective community-centered programs.
Identify sector conversations where Heluna Health’s experience and perspective can contribute meaningfully.
Collaborate with Marketing & Communications and business development teams to turn policy insights, sector trends, and organizational expertise into external communications, partnership opportunities, and strategic positioning.
Coordinate and track Heluna Health’s participation in public health associations, policy coalitions, advocacy networks, and other membership organizations.
Evaluate membership and participation opportunities based on strategic relevance, organizational priorities, and potential value.
Help ensure Heluna Health is represented in relevant sector discussions, working groups, coalitions, and policy initiatives.
Identify high-value policy discussions, partnerships, and public health leadership forums for the CEO and other senior leaders.
Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders and track the strategic value and outcomes of organizational memberships and engagement.
Perform other related duties as assigned.