Posted: July 22, 2026
Application Timeline: Position open until filled, apply by 9am PDT, Monday, August 17, 2026, for best consideration. Ideal position start date is around November 2, 2026
Hours: Full-time, salaried
Reports to: President & CEO
FLSA Status: Exempt
Hiring Pay Range: $95,500-$105,000
We encourage candidates with a range of experience levels to apply. In the event of an exceptionally qualified candidate, NWHF may consider restructuring the role as a senior-level manager or director-level position.
SUMMARYNorthwest Health Foundation (NWHF) is seeking a Public Affairs Manager to join our team of spirited and dedicated staff to support the mission and strategy of the foundation.
This position is based in Portland, Oregon and will require occasional weekends, evenings and overnight travel, regionally and nationally. NWHF employees work a mix of on and off-site with the expectation of 40-70% of staff time being spent in person at our offices in Chinatown.
POSITION SUMMARYThe Public Affairs Manager is responsible for providing strategy, leadership, and implementation in public affairs and communications. They guide our engagement in and resourcing of policymaking at the legislative/municipal level and the ballot box, working alongside community-based organizations to support our overlapping priorities and move long-term agendas that increase a more reflective and healthier democracy. They oversee our brand and brand management and they work with contract consultants to craft communications that reach targeted audiences.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Public affairs (70%) - Help ensure NWHF is meaningfully engaged in public, community and civic life and well-positioned to implement its strategy.
- Advance partnerships across philanthropic and public sectors to achieve a more reflective democracy. This includes through policy changes, co-learning opportunities and influence.
- Examples: develop/share learning opportunities for peers on policies that lead to more equitable representation in elected office;
- Support advocacy campaigns to change public policy, often in partnership with and/or at the direction of community-based organizations; track key developments in municipal and legislative electoral politics in Oregon and SW Washington; coordinate with key stakeholders to envision and resource power-building infrastructure.
- Examples: help campaign leaders connect to technical assistance and expertise; research and make funding recommendations and decisions on ballot measure contributions; coordinate with CBOs and lobbyists to support a small, focused legislative agenda.
- Support staff and board in meaningfully developing relationships in philanthropy, government and community-based organizations across our region that increase our learning, interconnectedness and influence (-and our openness to being influenced).
- Examples: Coordinate community dinners across Oregon & SW Washington with local leaders; lead a sponsorships program that deepens reach and relationships.
- Manage government relations including legislative relationships, contracted lobbyists.
- Examples: build key relationships with legislators and their staff; lobby on behalf of NWHF alongside our lobbyists.
Communications (20%) - Oversee external communications and branding.
- Execute a small but mighty communications strategy online and among staff and board that amplifies the work of community-based organizations and community-led campaigns and supports NWHF's brand with a consistent voice and story.
- Examples: train and support staff to speak about our work and its connection to their values; work with consultants to implement a communications plan.
- Ensure a moderate but effective online presence including website, social media and mass email communications with measures of efficacy.
- Example: generate content that highlights the work of a current grantee.
- Oversee crisis communications, if needed, and serve as primary media contact and occasional spokesperson.
Leadership Team & All-Staff Engagement (10%)
- Actively engage with President/CEO, Director of Finance & Operations, Programs Manager, and Team Support Manager on high-level strategy, programming, and board of directors' support.
- Example: Support the Programs Manager in shaping capacity-building strategies and learning opportunities for grantees.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
These qualifications describe the primary experiences and skills needed in this position, but it is not required that you have all of them right now. If you like to learn and grow, and have most of these, we encourage you to apply.
- Demonstrated understanding and willingness to advance NWHF's mission and commitment to equity and guiding principles.
- Ability to authentically connect NWHF's initiatives and aspirations with ones own personal experiences.
- A demonstrated understanding of the foundational role that racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of bias and oppression play in perpetuating inequity.
- A deep commitment to working in a diverse and inclusive work environment that places a high value on equity, particularly racial equity.
- Meaningful leadership experience (3-5 years) among some or all of these domains: public policy development or advocacy; (candidate, policy or education) campaign development and execution; local or state lobbying.
- A track record of publicly communicating effectively with the right tools at the right time, including storytelling, speeches, presentations, persuasion, and negotiation.
- An established network of effective relationships in government, philanthropy and/or civil society and an interest in growing that network across geography and difference.
- Strong ability to write and/or speak concisely, plainly and directly about complex topics.
- Able and willing to move (somewhat) seamlessly between high-level strategy ("How does our region enact major democratic reforms?"), and low-level implementation ("I need to make name tents for our community dinner.").
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT/TRAVELThe physical demands and work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be frequently expected to use/operate a computer. The employee is frequently required to ascertain visual information and, whether through talking and hearing or assistive devices, to communicate in-person, by video and by phone. They are occasionally required to carry, load and unload materials weighing up to 20lbs.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but can be bustling with large meetings. We strive to maintain a fragrance-free office.
The role requires travel throughout Oregon and SW Washington, and sometimes nationally, outside of core business hours. This includes approximately 12-20 overnights per year for grantee convenings, community/site visits, retreats and conferences.
COMPENSATIONThe full salary range for this position is $95,500 - $110,000. However, the starting range is $95,500 - $105,000 depending on experience, with opportunities for pay increases as mastery of the role is demonstrated over time.
We encourage candidates with a range of experience levels to apply. In the event of an exceptionally qualified candidate, NWHF may consider restructuring the role as a senior-level manager or director-level position.
A discussion about anticipated compensation and NWHF's compensation philosophy will be shared with a finalist before a job offer is presented.
Excellent benefits package with full medical and dental insurance for the employee and dependent children, flexible spending account (health care and dependent care), generous retirement contribution, long and short-term disability and life insurance, transportation stipend, considerable PTO and holiday leave, and support for ongoing professional development.
