Public Policy Manager

Job Purpose

The Public Policy Manager advances MHAMD’s behavioral health policy agenda through research, legislative advocacy, community engagement, and project management of priority initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Public Policy Officer, the Manager translates policy goals into actionable plans, delivers substantive policy work, and ensures timely execution across the team and its partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage Maryland legislative-session activities, including bill tracking, hearing schedules, action alerts, testimony coordination, and follow-up.

Represent MHAMD before the Maryland General Assembly, and serve on key coalitions, various external committees and workgroups as assigned. Prepare testimony, policy briefs, fact sheets, talking points, correspondence, and other advocacy materials.

Manage efforts to facilitate and increase citizen action through rallies and public events, social media, advocacy campaigns, and other community engagement strategies

Establish and maintain Public Policy teamwork plans; assign actions and set deadlines, track tasks, operationalize shared documentation, and establish practical reporting processes. Improve team workflows and use of digital tools.

Coordinate meetings and cross-functional work with external coalitions, MHAMD staff and board committees, and other stakeholders; ensure decisions are carried through.

Maintain the project plan, milestones, assignments, dependencies, records, and reporting deadlines for the newly awarded Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) apprenticeship planning grant.

Complete assigned RHTP project deliverables and coordinate partner contributions, reporting, and financial documentation.

Build expertise in workforce development and help position the apprenticeship initiative for implementation, partnerships, and continued funding.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, government affairs, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience; master’s degree preferred.
• Experience researching and analyzing legislation, regulations, or public programs and producing clear policy briefs, testimony, or recommendations. Familiarity with Maryland legislative and political processes desired.
• Working knowledge of behavioral health or related health and human services policy, with demonstrated interest in advancing behavioral health policy. Familiarity with workforce development a plus.
• Experience independently managing projects with multiple workstreams, interdependent milestones, external partners, and measurable deliverables.
• Experience building and using project plans, action logs, reporting systems, and digital collaboration tools such as Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, and Excel.
• General Conditions
• Standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, with additional evening or weekend hours during the Maryland legislative session and for occasional events.
• Position requires substantial computer-based work and participation in meetings, hearings, and events.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law.
• Travel Requirement
• Travel within Maryland, including to Annapolis during the legislative session, and occasional out-of-state travel as required. Travel expenses reimbursed in accordance with MHAMD policy