|
Position Title: Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs
Department: Public Policy & Government Affairs
Reports to: General Counsel
Location: Remote
FLSA: Exempt
Travel: 25%
Salary Range: $170,000-210,000*
*New hires are typically brought into the organization between the minimum to midpoint of the salary range posted depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.
Vibrant Emotional Health's groundbreaking solutions have delivered high-quality services and support when, where and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.
Formerly the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), Vibrant Emotional Health has been a trailblazer in emotional wellness for over 50 years. We deliver high-quality, technology-enabled services and community programs that meet people when, where, and how they need support. From operating the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to pioneering innovative solutions in emotional health, we help over 3.5 million people each year, transforming lives and communities nationwide. We are building a future where emotional wellness is a reality for everyone-through innovation, compassion, and equity.
Position Overview:
The Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs will serve as a senior strategic leader responsible for shaping, advancing, and executing Vibrant Emotional Health's public policy, government relations, and aspects of certain compliance strategies. This role demands exceptional expertise in navigating legislative, regulatory, and financial landscapes, and requires building and sustaining high-level relationships with lawmakers, policymakers, regulatory agencies, industry groups and strategic partners to position Vibrant as a trusted leader in mental health and public policy advocacy. The Vice President will also ensure that all activities align with financial stewardship, legal compliance, and the organization's long-term strategic goals.
Duties/Responsibilities
:
- Lead the development and execution of comprehensive public policy and government affairs strategies that advance the organization's mission, drive impact, and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Direct the monitoring, analysis, and influence of legislative and regulatory developments at the local, state, and federal levels, ensuring strategic positioning and proactive response.
- Serve as the primary organizational representative to senior government officials, legislative bodies, and regulatory authorities, creating meaningful inroads and building enduring partnerships.
- Oversee financial planning and compliance for all government relations activities, ensuring budget alignment and adherence to applicable funding requirements.
- Provide strategic counsel to the executive leadership team on policy matters with direct implications for organizational growth, compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Coordinate and oversee all lobbying activities, including the management of external lobbyists, to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and legal requirements.
- Engage with national industry coalitions, advocacy groups, and thought leaders to elevate Vibrant's visibility and policy influence.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing public policy team, fostering professional development, accountability, and cross-departmental collaboration.
- Oversee the development of policy briefs, white papers, and strategic communications that clearly articulate the organization's policy positions.
- Represent the organization at high-level events, conferences, and public forums, strengthening Vibrant's leadership voice in the public policy arena.
- Drive internal coordination to ensure unified policy and advocacy messaging across all workstreams.
- Additional duties as assigned by the Chief Executive or General Counsel.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Strategic and Policy Leadership: Proven ability to craft and execute sophisticated public policy and government affairs strategies at local, state, and federal levels. Adept at driving legislative outcomes while aligning efforts with long-term organizational vision and compliance obligations.
- Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement: Extensive experience forging strong, high-level relationships with policymakers, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders. Skilled in influencing legislation through coalition-building and strategic advocacy.
- Financial Stewardship and Compliance: Demonstrated success managing multi-million-dollar budgets, ensuring fiscal accountability, and navigating complex compliance frameworks. Expert in lobbying regulations, grant management, and contract oversight.
- Legislative and Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of public health and behavioral health policy landscapes, with the ability to anticipate and influence legislative trends. Proven track record of shaping regulations to support mission-driven objectives.
- Data-Informed Decision Making: Advanced analytical acumen to evaluate policy impacts, assess organizational risk, and guide strategic decisions using KPIs, performance metrics, and financial analysis.
- Organizational and Team Leadership: History of building and leading high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture of accountability, innovation, and inclusivity.
- Communication and Public Representation: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of delivering persuasive narratives that resonate with legislators, media, and the public. Experienced in representing organizations at high-profile hearings, conferences, and public forums.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, law, or a closely related discipline; advanced degree strongly preferred.
- 15+ years of progressively senior leadership experience in public policy, government affairs, or a closely related discipline, with a proven record of executive-level impact.
- Proven track record of designing, leading, and implementing high-impact public policy and advocacy strategies that deliver measurable outcomes and advance organizational priorities.
- Deep expertise in legislative, regulatory, and compliance processes at local, state, and federal levels, with the ability to anticipate policy shifts and adapt strategies proactively.
- Demonstrated success in financial stewardship, including multi-million-dollar budget oversight, grant/contract compliance, and regulatory adherence within a policy or advocacy environment.
- Strong domain knowledge in public health, mental health, suicide prevention, and other critical health policy arenas, with an ability to translate complex policy landscapes into actionable strategies.
- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with a history of cultivating influential relationships with senior government officials, industry leaders, and strategic partners.
- Proven leadership excellence in building, mentoring, and sustaining high-performing teams in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.
- Advanced analytical and strategic planning abilities, with decision-making grounded in data, risk assessment, and long-term vision.
- Demonstrated ability to operate with a high degree of independence, sound judgment, and executive-level accountability.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position for at least 50% of the time.
- Will frequently communicate over video calls with internal and external stakeholders as well as team members.
- Will constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
Excellent comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental income insurance, pre-tax transit/parking, pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care, and 401K available. 4 weeks' vacation, plum benefits, etc.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. Vibrant will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
Vibrant Emotional Health is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, caregiver status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Please be aware that fictitious job openings, consulting engagements, solicitations, or employment offers may be circulated on the Internet in an attempt to obtain privileged information, or to induce you to pay a fee for services related to recruitment or training. Vibrant does NOT charge any application, processing, or training fee at any stage of the recruitment or hiring process. All genuine job openings will be posted on our careers page and all communications from the Vibrant recruiting team and/or hiring managers will be from an @vibrant.org email address.
|
Vibrant Emotional Health
$170,000-210,000*
401(k)
Sep 11, 2025