Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

Arnold Ventures believes that health care should be affordable and accessible for families, employers, and taxpayers. To achieve this vision, Arnold Ventures’ Health Care portfolio advances evidence-based solutions that address both the high price we pay for health care and the value we get from those investments. We seek to drive lasting change that spans the health care landscape, with a focus on: Drug Prices, Commercial Sector Prices, Medicare Sustainability, Provider Payment Incentives, Medicaid and State Policy Engagement, and Clinical Trials. The team works with experts from inside and outside government to reform the health care system through evidence generation, policy development, communications, technical assistance, and advocacy to support policy change.

Our Clinical Trials portfolio focuses on ensuring that FDA approval incentivizes innovation by using clinically meaningful evidence, requiring that trial data be publicly available and comparable across products, and ensuring sufficient transparency from FDA on its approval decisions. It also works to ensure that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services aligns its coverage decisions with available clinical evidence.

While an understanding of clinical research or research methods is helpful, it is not required as managing clinical research is not the primary focus of the position. 

The Director will be responsible for helping identify, analyze, and pursue new, high-leverage philanthropic opportunities, as well as managing current investments and partnerships. This position will be located in the Washington, DC office and will report to the Vice President of Health Care – Drug Policy. 

Core Responsibilities

• Partner with the Vice President to develop and refine the strategic direction for the portfolio by keeping abreast of current health policy issues and recent research; conducting research and analysis to identify grantees and inform strategy; developing policy recommendations and strategically aligned projects; and developing and managing relationships with grantees, key stakeholders, and experts
• Identify and develop charitable investment and grant recommendations for the Arnold Ventures’ Board of Directors; oversee investments and grants; and reflect on prior and existing investments and grants to inform strategy and future recommendations
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Health Care and the Advocacy and Communications teams to elevate relevant research, policy developments, and approaches
• Manage a high-functioning team and facilitate effective day-to-day operations for the team
• Actively contribute to team meetings regarding projects, including suggesting ideas and brainstorming; and participate in meetings with government officials, researchers, and other stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 8+ years of relevant work experience, preferably including experience with federal policy
• Demonstrated understanding of federal health care policy in the United States and expertise on FDA medical product approval processes (with a focus on drugs, biologics, and medical devices) and related federal administrative and legislative policy (e.g., FDA, CMS, NIH)
• Strong policy analysis and research skills; ability to understand technical and theoretical concepts
• Strong leadership, people management, and relationship-building skills
• Exceptional strategy development, project management, and organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate key takeaways and research findings to diverse, nontechnical audiences

The salary range for this position will be $145,000-$200,000

Benefits Overview

Arnold Ventures is committed to providing a robust and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our current benefits package includes 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance; 20 days of paid time off, 16 paid holidays (including a winter break from December 24 to January 1), a hybrid policy that includes four days in office and one flexible day for remote work, and a summer schedule with alternating Fridays off beginning on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day; paid parental leave; a 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting; pre-tax transit benefits; a professional development stipend; a charitable giving stipend; and an employee assistance program.

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of Arnold Ventures’ work culture.

• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback
• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals

Arnold Ventures’ values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Arnold Ventures team to make a difference.

• Respect for Ourselves & Others
• Audacious Action
• Collaborative Engagement
• Depth of Thought
• Clear Communication

Arnold Ventures is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, or any basis prohibited by applicable law.

Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, Arnold Ventures is committed to employing individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences. Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply.