Senior Power and Movement Building Officer

Are You the Advocate We’re Looking For?

Are you an experienced and skilled advocate who knows how to work with community to change systems and get laws and policies passed?

Are you a self-starter who is passionate about improving people’s health by working with them to improve their housing, access to healthy food, mental health, reproductive health, health care coverage and generational wealth?

Are you a “people-person” skilled at forming strong relationships and working in and with community to solve big problems?

Do you believe strongly that people of all races and ethnicities deserve a fair shot at living a healthy, abundant life and that by working together, we can remove structural barriers (ineffective laws, policies and practices) that stand in the way?

If this is you, please read on!

About Us

At the Horizon Foundation, we are leading community change to ensure that all are free from systemic inequities and can live abundant and healthy lives. As the largest independent health foundation in Maryland, we work side-by-side with community to build power, advocate for policy change, and dismantle structural racism to achieve better health for everyone in Howard County and greater Maryland.

We do this through innovative initiatives, collaborative partnerships, strategic grantmaking, and thoughtful advocacy.

About the Role

We are seeking a full-time Senior Power and Movement Building Officer who will work closely with other Foundation staff, outside vendors, contractors, grantees, and partners to build relationships, work within coalitions, and help organize our community to remove structural barriers to good health.

This position will report to the Chief Program Officer and work closely with the program and communications staff, the Policy & Community Engagement Director, as well as many other internal and external partners, including but not limited to faith communities, youth groups, community-based organizations, and health care providers.

Ideal Candidates Are:

• Passionate about improving health and working strategically side-by-side with community members to make real improvements in their lives.
• Specially interested in eliminating structural racism in health care, mental health, maternal and child health, housing, and healthy food access, as well as reducing wealth inequities.
• Friendly, approachable, and capable of building strong relationships with everyone they meet.
• Experienced with at least 7 years of documented experience working to change systems, laws, and policies alongside community organizations.
• Committed to meeting community members where they are—in-person and online.
• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Used to working with a broad array of community organizations, cultures, and life experiences.
• Comfortable making cold calls, visiting new places, and making presentations to diverse audiences.
• Excellent communicators with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excited to help groups define issues and act with confidence to win campaigns.
• Strategic thinkers and collaborative problem solvers.
• Creative and optimistic problem solvers with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Willing to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
• Possess a high school education or higher, a valid driver’s license, and access to a working vehicle.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute effective advocacy plans that identify, recruit, engage, support, and mobilize residents to participate in and lead campaigns.
• Advocate for the Foundation’s policy positions with lawmakers, partners, community groups, and more.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships aligned with the Foundation’s focus areas.
• Help external organizations develop their capacity to lead health policy change work.
• Build and expand a network through regular 1:1s, listening sessions, and meetings.
• Attend community events in Howard County representing the Foundation.
• Plan and carry out community advocacy activities and events.
• Lead meetings and group discussions in varied contexts.
• Work with the communications team to document and share community stories.
• Track and maintain records of community engagement in our volunteer database.
• Lead and assist in outreach and projects assigned by the President and CEO or Chief Program Officer.

Bonus Points If You Have:

• A great sense of humor and hopeful outlook.
• Strong project management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Exceptional writing and oral presentation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a small, collegial environment with differing viewpoints.
• High energy, maturity, and creativity.
• Comfort with ambiguity and flexibility in shifting priorities.
• Ability to speak more than one language.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher (not required).

Director-Level Consideration

You may be considered for a Director position in this department if you:

• Have an additional 3 years of relevant experience (10+ years total) with experience in health issue organizing.
• Have led multiple policy or systems change campaigns.
• Possess skills to serve as the Foundation’s lead on concurrent campaigns and manage the advocacy agenda.
• Have experience supervising staff.

How to Apply

Sound like you? Please apply to join our team.

Send a resume, cover letter, and either a written or video answer to this prompt:

“Why are you passionate about the Foundation’s mission and strategic priority areas? Why are you the right person for this job?”

Submit to: [email protected]

If sending a video, mention this in your cover letter and we’ll send you a link to upload it. Video messages should be 2 minutes or less, and no special editing is required. Written responses should be no longer than one page.

No phone calls, please.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Senior Power and Movement Building Officer is $80,000–$100,000. Candidates considered for the Director role will receive compensation commensurate with experience.

Benefits include:

• Paid time off (increasing after three years)
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) package

This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Hybrid Work Environment

This role requires comfort with a hybrid work model (remote + in-person). Most staff work from our Columbia, MD office Tuesday–Thursday, with two remote days. This role may involve more community-based activity than office time.

Free parking provided.

Deadline / Start Date

This position will remain open until filled. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Horizon Foundation is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, religion, sexual preference, or national origin. People of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply.