Deputy Director, Medicaid & Behavioral Health Policy

Integrated Care


Description

Who We Are

Aurrera Health Group is a mission-driven national health policy, strategy, and operations consulting firm with deep expertise designing and administering public programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, behavioral health, trauma-informed care, and other safety net programs. Much of our firm’s work is in California, but our clients span state and federal Medicaid agencies, county/local health services departments, health care foundations, consumer advocacy organizations, hospitals, health systems, and trade associations.            

Aurrera Health Group is a woman-owned firm guided by our commitment to our mission advancing access to affordable, comprehensive, equitable, high-quality health coverage and care – and our values. We select our clients, projects, and staff in keeping with that mission. We pride ourselves on our relationship-driven approach to customer service, our ability to adapt to changing landscapes, and our innovative spirit. We value and reward the quality of work we do for clients and support a range of efforts to ensure that employees can enjoy a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to the growth and professional development of all our staff.            

A key organizational priority is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensuring that is reflected both in our internal culture and through our client work. Our  values guide us in all that we do.             

Position Description

Aurrera Health Group offers a dedicated and fast-paced environment focused on helping a range of clients improve the health care safety net. The Deputy Director will help state, local, and federal clients by supporting policy development, stakeholder education and outreach, and on-the-ground program implementation of behavioral health services and supports. The Deputy Director will lead policy analysis and development, oversee project management and planning support for clients and Aurrera Health Group leadership, contribute to work products, and participate in stakeholder engagement efforts with government officials, managed care plans, providers, and advocates.            

The Deputy Director must be able to lead multiple projects simultaneously and will be asked to assess and address complex policy, technical, and strategic issues that impact our clients. Oral and written communication skills are a critical element of this position.             

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:             
  • Working closely with Aurrera Health Group leadership and fellow staff to accomplish company and client goals and objectives. 
  • If requested providing staff supervision and overseeing project deliverables. 
  • Lead fast-paced, client-driven projects, focused on policy development, stakeholder engagement, and policy implementation, largely for Medi-Cal programs. 
  • Conducting policy research and data/financial analyses for purposes of responding to client requests for information, developing issue papers, briefing materials, and presenting policy and operational recommendations to clients. 
  • Briefing Aurrera Health Group leadership and clients, both orally and in writing, on policy issues and research related to client projects.  
  • Providing project management support in the form of developing and advancing work plans, meeting agendas and other meeting materials. 
  • Preparing PowerPoint presentations and informational graphics for and on behalf of clients. 
  • Planning and executing stakeholder engagement activities. 
  • Supporting the creation of business development proposals. 
  • Engaging in firm-wide activities such as staff meetings, management team, policy team meetings and annual company retreats.  
             
Required Qualifications                    
  • At least eight years of experience in health care policy, with the majority of that time dedicated to Medicaid/safety net issues; ideally including behavioral health and/or social supports; 
  • A commitment to improving access to health coverage and the quality of the health care system; 
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills; 
  • Skills related to effective project management, including strong work ethic, attention to detail, time management, ability to prioritize, problem solving, adaptability, willingness to learn, and a proactive work style. 
                Must be:             
  • A quick study;  
  • Highly reliable and able to manage assignments of various priority and duration; 
  • Comfortable directing internal teams to produce high quality work that is responsive to client needs; 
  • Strong ability to assist clients in identifying organizational opportunities and supporting strategic decision making; 
  • Able to develop relationships with various kinds of stakeholders, including state and local government, hospitals, advocates, health plans, providers, and consumers. 

Preferred Qualifications                        

  • Experience working in California health policy, Medicaid, or behavioral health; 
  • Experience working with Medicaid managed care organizations, counties, or mental health plans; 
  • Experience supporting organization leadership; 
  • Experience managing complex projects with a variety of stakeholders.  
  • Contributed to and/or developed professional health policy publications. 
  • Management experience; 
  • Master’s degree in public policy, public health, business administration, social work, or a related discipline. 

             
Location

Aurrera Health Group is a fully remote organization and candidates from all areas of the country are encouraged to apply. Occasional travel to company events, meetings, and client sites may be required, but the primary workstation for this position will be remote.      

As a national firm, the Aurrera Health Group team works across four time zones. Aurrera Health will work with candidates to establish a schedule of core work hours that meets the employee and the firm’s needs.  Priority will be given to candidates who commit to working on a Pacific or Mountain Time schedule when necessary.            

Compensation
and Benefits


Aurrera Health Group offers competitive salaries based on industry standards and experience, skills, and responsibility. We maintain equitable pay bands for employees based on these factors. The starting pay range for this position is $105,000 to $125,000 per year, with an opportunity for an end-of-year bonus.            

             
Additionally, Aurrera Health Group offers a comprehensive benefit package, including:                    

  • Generous leave program, including company holidays, vacation, sick, parental, and volunteer leave. 
  • Employer-matching 401(k) retirement plan.
  • Health, vision, dental insurance with generous employer premium contributions, and Flexible Spending Account plans.
  • Short and long-term disability insurance plans.
  • Home office and cell phone stipends, charitable donation matching, and other benefits.
             
To Apply

Please submit the following:           
  • A personalized cover letter describing your commitment to the Aurrera Health Group mission to improve access to health coverage and the quality of the health care system, as well as how your experience qualifies you for this role.
    • Note: This is not a clinical or direct services role. If most of your experience is in clinical work or direct services, please include in your cover letter an explanation of why you are interested in transitioning out of that work and into health policy and why your experience qualifies you for this role.
  • A detailed resume
  • Two (2) writing samples
A typical hiring process will involve two to three interviews, and you may be required to submit writing samples and/or participate in a skills assessment. The hiring process also will include a request for three references, but references will not be contacted unless the candidate is notified.            

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Aurrera Health Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that celebrates and values diversity, promotes equity, and prioritizes inclusivity. We are committed to building and fostering a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skill sets.