Policy Director

### Do your best work here.
Hopelab is a transformative social innovation lab and impact investor working to support the mental well-being of adolescents ages 10-25, especially BIPOC and LGBTQ+ young people. Through funding, collaborations, and intergenerational partnerships, Hopelab works at the intersection of tech and mental health alongside entrepreneurs, funders, researchers, and young change-makers to create systems change and build a thriving future for underserved young people.

### The Position: Policy Director
Launched in late 2023, policy is a new area of work for Hopelab. Our policy workstream serves to elevate the voices and experiences of young people, Hopelab’s thought-leadership, and our research acumen to inform policymakers and partners of what constitutes sound, evidence-based policies in support of youth mental health and well-being.

**Hopelab’s first-ever Policy Director** will be a core member of the Hopelab Strategic Communications and Policy team. In this role, you will draw upon your knowledge and experience in policy and advocacy at the federal and state levels, working with internal and external partners to support Hopelab’s overarching mission, including the goals of Hopelab Ventures, Young Leaders In Mental Health, and Hopelab Discovery. In partnership with the Vice President of Strategic Communications and Policy, and the Policy Working Group, you will help develop and execute Hopelab’s annual policy strategy and related projects, focusing primarily on leveraging our thought-leadership (research and staff expertise), educating federal and state policymakers on evidence-based, youth-centered policies, and supporting partner organizations that are more deeply embedded in policy advocacy and lobbying.

– **Develops and executes against Hopelab’s annual policy priorities and related projects.**
– **Identifies new and manages existing relationships with partner organizations working in policy and advocacy**, with a key aspect being to support their efforts through Hopelab’s thought-leadership, research, and cohort of young leaders.
– **Educates and updates colleagues across the organization** about Hopelab’s policy agenda and how best to leverage policy opportunities across different program areas.
– **Leads the Policy Working Group** in its role identifying and supporting opportunities to educate stakeholders on evidence-based policies in support of youth mental health and well-being.
– **Leads and coordinates the development of Hopelab policy positions and its public policy platform.**
– **Collaborates and coordinates with program teams** to identify opportunities at the federal and state levels.
– **Supports and engages with young people** to ensure they are at the table with policymakers and that their voices are included in Hopelab’s policy work.
– **Collects and synthesizes events, trends, and political activities** that will impact policy and advocacy and inform Hopelab’s policy strategy.
– **Tracks and analyzes policy developments and trends** relative to Hopelab’s work at the federal and state levels.
– **Identifies federal and state policy opportunities.**
– **Builds and manages relationships** with policy and government relations staff at national and state-based partner organizations and coalitions.
– **Shares and leverages research**, engages directly with partners, cultivates influential messengers, and deploys strategic communications in coordination with the team.
– **Drafts op-eds, statements, presentations, and other assets** related to policy and advocacy.
– **Develops close, trusted working relationships** with Hopelab teams, partners, young leaders, and advocates.
– **Coordinates with other The Omidyar Group policy leaders**, including attending policy summits and convenings throughout the year.

Required Education, Experience, and Skills
– 8 or more years experience working in government, advocacy, and/or public affairs aimed at influencing policy change. Experience on Capitol Hill or in state government is a plus.
– Knowledge of mental health care policy, including Medicaid. Knowledge of technology, social media, AI, and other issues impacting young people is desired, but not required.
– Commitment to putting young people front and center in policy work.
– Commitment to equity and social impact for Black, Brown, and queer communities.
– Strategic thinker with outstanding analytical skills.
– Communicator with strong writing, editing, and verbal skills who knows how to connect with broad and diverse stakeholders, including partner organizations and legislative offices at the federal and state levels.
– Proven track record of building and cultivating strong relationships with advocates and policymakers across the political spectrum, and comfort in identifying pragmatic solutions across the political spectrum.
– Ability to balance competing priorities and identify when to advance an issue or call out a risk.
– Desire to embrace new ideas and experiment; naturally curious and energized—rather than intimated by—ambiguity.
– Relationship builder and partner who can seamlessly manage multiple voices, opinions, and personalities to create an atmosphere of camaraderie and collaboration.
– A personal network of relevant stakeholders to Hopelab.
– High-energy and independent self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and comfort with ambiguity.
– Intellectual curiosity about and/or direct experience working in the mental health sector.
– Applicants must reside within and be currently authorized to work in the United States

Learn more here