Associate Director, Health Policy

Organization Overview

Funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that includes the Gary and Mary West Health Institute and Gary and Mary West Foundation in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. These organizations work together toward a shared mission: lowering the cost of healthcare to enable successful aging with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. For more information, westhealth.org and follow @westhealth

West Health’s focus is lowering healthcare costs, improving health outcomes, and enabling the creation of a system that is more transparent, competitive, affordable, person-centered, quality-driven, and sustainable. Specific focus areas include lowering national and consumer healthcare spending, promoting value-based care models, advancing integrated brain health, catalyzing patient-centered innovations, increasing price transparency, and limiting consumer exposure to high out-of-pocket costs.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Health Policy will work to support the development of policy solutions through advanced data analysis and research. This role sits at the intersection of data science and public policy and plays a critical role in transforming complex healthcare data into evidence-based insights that inform national, state, and institutional health policy initiatives. Projects will include analysis of large healthcare claims data, survey data, pricing and utilization data, and other sources to examine current trends and estimate effects of potential changes on healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. The Associate Director will collaborate with the Data Science Team to manage, maintain, and troubleshoot West Health’s collection of healthcare databases and associated visualizations.

The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of healthcare data and a keen interest in using that data to explore, evaluate, and inform policies that reduce costs and improve care for aging populations.

General Duties And Responsibilities

Data-Driven Policy Analysis

• Identify and frame policy-relevant research questions that can be answered using data from healthcare claims, surveys, pricing files, and utilization databases
• Design and execute statistical analyses to assess the cost, utilization, and outcomes associated with healthcare services and policy interventions
• Use data to quantify potential effects of legislative or regulatory proposals
  
  

Transforming Data Into Policy Insights

• Synthesize analytical findings into actionable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and the public, clearly articulating implications for healthcare cost, access, and quality
• Create concise and compelling data visualizations, policy briefs, and slide decks that communicate research findings effectively to non-technical audiences
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with policy experts, economists, and communications staff to ensure data analyses are aligned with strategic policy goals and messaging
• Partner with external organizations (e.g., think tanks, academic institutions) on joint research projects, ensuring data integrity and methodological rigor
  
  

Rapid Response and Policy Monitoring

• Conduct quick-turn analyses in response to emerging policy questions or media inquiries, using available data to generate timely insights
• Support the review and synthesis of healthcare legislation and regulations, using data to assess potential policy impacts
  
  

Data Infrastructure and Documentation

• Maintain and update analytic datasets, codebooks, and documentation to ensure reproducibility and transparency of methods
• Assist in managing West Health’s internal data assets and contribute to improving analytical tools and workflows
  
  

Qualifications And Education

• Master’s or doctoral degree in statistics, biostatistics, economics, or related field with healthcare research experience; or master’s or doctoral degree in health services research, public health, public policy, or related field plus several years of work experience in quantitative data analysis
• 5 - 10 years of applicable work experience in a health policy area is required
• Detailed knowledge of at least one topic in healthcare and aging policy, such as Medicare policy, value-based care, provider payment, behavioral health, cost of healthcare services, prescription drug costs, and/or alternative care delivery models for aging
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills applied to public policy issues, including ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue. A keen understanding of the importance of such research and disseminating it effectively to policymakers, the media, and the public
• Demonstrated ability to draw clear, policy-relevant conclusions from complex data and communicate them effectively
• Ability to develop, initiate and conduct work independently and efficiently on concurrent projects
• Strong organizational and management skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a highly collaborative environment.
• Prior experience working in or with government agencies, policy research organizations, or consulting organizations is a plus
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

• The estimated total compensation range for this position is $130,000 - $170,000 We gladly offer:
• Up to 15% Annual Performance Bonus – rewarding your hard work and success
• Hybrid Work Schedule (Must be located in San Diego or Washington DC) - offering flexibility to balance your work and personal life
• Comprehensive Benefits Package – including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and a Flexible Spending Account to support your health and well-being
• 100% Premium Coverage for Employee Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance, plus 70% coverage for dependents for medical, dental and vision – ensuring both you and your family are well cared for
• Generous 5% Retirement Plan Match – helping you build a secure financial future
• Professional Development Reimbursements – investing in your growth and career advancement
• 15 Days of Paid Time Off plus 16 Paid Holidays – promoting a healthy work-life balance and time to recharge
  
  

West Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, disability, or veteran's status.

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