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Vice President, Research and Policy

Washington, United States

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood organizations serve all people with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates, which operate non-profit health centers across the U.S. PPFA also works to educate the public on and advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health. Formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a separate non-profit membership organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4). The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education in furtherance of the Planned Parenthood mission. PPFA and Action Fund seek a bold, strategic, and visionary leader to serve as Vice President of Research and Policy.

This position reports to the Chief External Affairs Officer and sits within the External Affairs division, which drives PPFA & Action Fund’s narrative, public engagement, and influence across key audiences. The Vice President will lead a high-impact team responsible for developing forward-looking policy, advocacy, and message research, shaping the organizations’ policy agenda, and producing timely, actionable insights that inform national strategy, mobilize support, and guide legislative and advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels. This leader will oversee the development of long-term policy, advocacy, engagement, and research strategies to expand access to reproductive health care and advance sexual and reproductive rights. This role is essential to strengthening PPFA and the Action Fund’s position as a trusted thought leader, equipping internal and external stakeholders with the evidence, analysis, and foresight needed to meet the urgency of this political moment and the long-term demands of the movement.

Purpose:

- Leads the design and execution of a strategic research agenda that shapes PPFA and Action Fund’s policy priorities, brand positioning, and audience engagement, and Action Fund’s electoral strategy, across the National Office and local Planned Parenthood organizations.
- Oversees a cross-functional research portfolio including PPFA and Action Fund’s message testing, opposition research, and issue-specific studies, and Action Fund’s voter insights and electoral trends, that guide national and state strategies.
- Develops a research-informed theory of change to shift cultural narratives around abortion, reproductive freedom, gender, and racial justice.
- Translates complex data and behavioral insights into clear, actionable strategies that drive alignment across policy, communications, organizing, and advocacy.
- Brings deep expertise in reproductive health policy, health finance, and Medicaid to inform internal strategy and influence decision-makers across the health and policy landscape.
- Ensures that PPFA and Action Fund are recognized as SRH policy leaders amongst allied groups and elected officials.
- Drives policy development for the federation through drafting white papers, legislation, policy agendas, and analysis.
- Leads a high-performing research and analytics team, managing staff, budgets, vendor relationships, and systems that support effective integration and dissemination of insights.

Engagement:

- Leads the integration and application of research and policy insights across the Federation, including with PPFA and Action Fund Boards, local Planned Parenthood organization leadership, senior executives, and external partners to drive alignment and clarity.
- Partners across divisions to ensure research and data guide campaign strategy, policy development, messaging, and audience engagement at the national and state levels.
- Shapes narrative and policy-forward messaging strategies to mobilize key audiences.
- Serves as a strategic advisor to national and local Planned Parenthood organization leadership, providing technical expertise and insight to inform advocacy, regulatory strategy, and enterprise-wide decision-making.
- Represents the organization as a spokesperson in media, public forums, and coalition spaces, advancing Planned Parenthood policy goals and shaping the national conversation.
- Leads and empowers a high-performing team of researchers, analysts, and strategists, fostering cross-functional collaboration and ensuring insights translate into impact across the organization.

Delivery:

- Leads the development and execution of a long-term research and policy agenda that advances the strategic goal of securing a reimagined federal right to abortion, strengthens the operational capacity of local Planned Parenthood organizations, and proactively counters opposition narratives.
- Serves as the organizations’ senior-most advisor on health policy, shaping the development and implementation of PPFA and Action Fund’s strategies related to public health, Medicaid, health finance, pharmacy, insurance, federal programs, and reproductive health system transformation, in partnership with the Health Outcomes division.
- Positions PPFA and Action Fund as national thought leaders by leveraging research and policy to shift cultural narratives, drive public understanding, and influence policymakers at the federal and state levels.
- Collaborates with other policy-focused divisions and teams across PPFA and Action Fund within Legal and Health Outcomes.
- Advises the Executive Leadership Team, both Boards, local Planned Parenthood CEOs/EDs, and senior leaders across the Federation by translating research and policy insights into actionable strategies, strategic briefings, and enterprise-wide planning.
- Oversees a high-performing team of policy experts, researchers, and strategists, managing a multi-million dollar budget and driving cross-functional alignment across External Affairs.
- Builds and sustains scalable systems for insight generation and dissemination, including a centralized research hub, brand tracking infrastructure, and real-time dashboards to inform national and affiliate decision-making.
- Ensures PPFA and Action Fund are equipped to navigate evolving federal and state policy environments by delivering timely analysis, aligning strategy across functions, and providing technical assistance to affiliates.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

- 15+ years of experience in research, insights, or data-driven strategy roles across brand, advocacy, audience engagement, or communications, with progressive leadership responsibility required.
- 10+ years of experience of policy, electoral, or advocacy landscapes, with demonstrated experience using research and data to inform public engagement, campaign, or policy strategies required.
- 10+ years experience of managing people and teams required
- Advanced degree preferred; J.D., M.P.P., or graduate degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, or a related discipline.
- Deep expertise in research design, fieldwork oversight, audience segmentation, and qualitative and quantitative analysis, with the ability to translate findings into strategic action.
- Experience working within or supporting mission-driven, political, or federated organizations; comfort navigating complex stakeholder environments.
- Strong leadership and team management experience, including coaching and training staff in research methods, data analysis, and backend data systems.
- Fluency in data storytelling and strategic communications, with the ability to synthesize complex insights into compelling narratives that guide executive and enterprise-wide decision-making.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity-centered research practices, with a track record of authentically reaching and engaging communities of color, young people, LGBTQ+ communities, and other key audiences.
- Strong systems thinking and problem-solving orientation; brings curiosity, creativity, and discipline to research while working in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
- Proficiency in research tools, statistical methods, and data systems, with experience overseeing data infrastructure and vendor relationships.
- Deep alignment with the mission and values of Planned Parenthood, and a belief in the power of insight to drive cultural, political, and social change.

Travel: 0-5% Domestic

$230,000 - $245,000/year

Planned Parenthood's cultural ethos, "In This Together", reflects our commitment to building a workplace culture that fosters belonging, promotes learning throughout the employee lifecycle, and recognizes individual contributions to our mission.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America participates in the E-Verify program. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.

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