Summary: Reporting to the CEO and serving on the Executive Team, the Vice President of Policy and Research is responsible for developing and executing the organization's unique agenda that integrates food policy and health care policy with the goal of securing innovative public and private funding sources for its programs. Collaborating with seasoned and emerging professionals in the food and health policy sectors, Board members, volunteers and consultants, s/he will oversee Community Servings' "Food Is Medicine" policy, research, and provider education initiatives and ancillary campaigns.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Oversees the work of the AMPL Institute, where excellence in providing medically tailored nutrition meets pioneering research, policy work, and provider education. AMPL's mission is to transform the healthcare system so that medically tailored nutrition becomes a universally accessible standard of comprehensive, person-centered care.
Responsibilities related to the administration of AMPL include:- Manages the following direct reports (and others as needed) - Senior Research Project Manager; Senior Manager of Food and Health Policy; Manager of Education; Education Specialist/AMPL Program Coordinator
- Oversees the AMPL department's budget
- Reports on grants supporting AMPL-related projects
- Provides direction and content and collaborating with the Senior Manager of Communications in producing AMPL's annual View of the Field report.
- Oversees the planning and execution of AMPL-led events
- Public speaking at conferences, webinars, and meetings related to the work of AMPL.
Responsibilities related to serving on the Executive Team include:.
- Along with the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, serves as the staff liaison for the Healthcare Strategy Committee.
Responsibilities related to the Research pillar of AMPL include:- Develops and assists in implementing a plan to secure research partnerships to obtain data supporting the position that medically tailored home-delivered meals are a cost-effective intervention that can improve health outcomes for individuals with critical stage illnesses and chronic disease.
- Explores potential research projects with the Tufts Friedman School of Science, Nutrition, and Policy, and other academic institutes and provides project oversight.
- Manages the Research Dietitians and Senior Research staff in implementing research projects, for example, NIH-funded clinical and claims-data studies.
Responsibilities related to the Policy pillar of AMPL include:
- Collaborates with the Harvard CHLPI and other academic institutions in devising joint white papers on food and health policy.
- Identifies, prioritizes, and executes outreach to Congressional and State legislator involved in healthcare reform and in food policy.
- Serves as the co-lead for Food is Medicine Massachusetts (FIMMA), overseeing quarterly meetings, co-leading the Community Based Organization Task Force, and advocating for FIMMA priorities to administrative and elected officials.
- Oversees the work of external Government Relations firms.
- Assists in the preparation of advocacy communications materials to share with similarly aligned organizations.
- Attends advocacy capacity building programs and conducts legislative visits.
- Recruits advocates and speakers, including consumers, consumer advocates and health care professionals, who will assist by bringing their voices to the advocacy campaign.
- Trains advocates and speakers.
Responsibilities related to the Education pillar of AMPL include:
- Oversees the development and delivery of culinary medicine programming
- Develops business and marketing plans to expand the education program
- Oversees the internship program
Core CompetenciesMission Impact- Demonstrates a strong commitment to Community Servings' mission of advancing medically tailored nutrition, health equity, and racial and economic justice.
- Aligns AMPL Institute research, policy, education, and advocacy initiatives with organizational goals and strategic priorities.
- Evaluates decisions and initiatives based on their impact on clients, healthcare systems, policymakers, and communities served.
- Serves as an ambassador for Community Servings and the AMPL Institute through public speaking, partnership development, and external engagement.
Collaboration & Trust- Builds and maintains effective relationships with internal departments, Executive Team members, Board committees, academic institutions, healthcare organizations, government officials, and community partners.
- Fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, respect, and inclusion across research, policy, and education functions.
- Encourages open communication, seeks diverse perspectives, and works effectively across disciplines to advance organizational objectives.
- Develops trust through consistent communication, shared accountability, and professional leadership.
Accountability & Judgment- Exercises sound judgment when overseeing complex research, policy, advocacy, education, and operational initiatives.
- Takes ownership for departmental outcomes, budget performance, grant deliverables, and strategic objectives.
- Establishes priorities, manages competing demands, and ensures projects are completed effectively and on schedule.
- Uses data, evidence, and organizational priorities to guide decisions and recommendations.
- Communicates risks, challenges, and opportunities proactively to leadership and stakeholders.
Operational Excellence- Ensures high-quality execution of AMPL Institute programs, research initiatives, policy activities, educational offerings, and public events.
- Oversees systems, processes, budgets, and resources to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, and organizational impact.
- Identifies opportunities for innovation, process improvement, and program growth.
- Maintains compliance with applicable research, grant, advocacy, and organizational requirements.
- Promotes continuous improvement and a culture of service excellence.
Self-Leadership- Demonstrates initiative, professionalism, resilience, and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
- Leads by example through integrity, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Seeks feedback, embraces change, and continuously identifies opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Develops and mentors staff, fostering professional development and future leadership capability.
- Addresses challenges directly, respectfully, and constructively while maintaining a positive and mission-focused culture.
QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Ability to complete all necessary trainings to serve as principal investigator/site principal investigator for complex research projects
- Ability to complete required trainings to become a registered lobbyist in Massachusetts
- Demonstrated skills in public speaking
- Strong research and writing skills
- Demonstrated organizational, time-management, and project management skills
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, including demonstrated confidence and poise in front of academic, legislative and other groups
- Ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
- Ability to work independently
- Solid computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite
Education/Experience- BA/BS in nutrition, policy, law or equivalent field, graduate degree preferred
- 3-5 years experience in government, academia, healthcare or food justice
- Experience in research, writing, and public speaking on subjects related to "Food is Medicine."
Supervision- Senior Manager of Food and Health Policy
- Senior Research Program Manager
- Manager of Education for the Food and Health Policy Center
- AMPL Education Specialist & Program Coordinator
Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is routinely required to stand and walk.
BenefitsWe offer a complete benefits program including:- Medical Insurance
- Life-, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Time, and Personal Time off
- Flexible Spending account (Medical and Daycare)
- Tuition reimbursement
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Free Dental Insurance
- Free daily community lunch
- Free parking
