Senior Policy Analyst / Senior Data Analyst

KFF is the leading health policy organization in the U.S. As a one-of-a-kind information organization, we bring together substantial capabilities in policy research, polling, and journalism in one organization to meet the need for a trusted, independent source of information on national health issues—one with the scope and reach to be a counterweight to health care’s vested interests and a voice for people. We have four major program areas: policy analysis, polling, journalism, and health information and trust.

KFF is not a foundation and has no connection to Kaiser Permanente. Legally, we are a public charity (an endowed national nonprofit organization). We are headquartered in San Francisco with a building in Washington, DC, conference centers in both offices, and staff members in almost every state.

The Team

The Project on Hospital Costs examines hospital costs and finances, as well as the business practices of hospitals, with a particular focus on affordability.

Your Role

KFF is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst or Senior Data Analyst to join the KFF Project on Hospital Costs. Working closely with their direct supervisor and another senior researcher on this initiative, the senior analyst will guide research projects from ideation to publication. The senior analyst will provide data analysis, primarily descriptive in nature, for the projects they lead and others as needed, a key component of this position. Ideal candidates will have work experience in health policy and analytics, as well as a desire to produce timely, high-quality, informative work. 

Examples of specific topics of interest include hospital spending growth over time; the implications of Medicaid, Medicare, and other policy changes for hospital finances; the financial standing of rural and safety-net hospitals; the competitiveness of health care markets; and hospital charity care.

What You’ll Do

Contribute timely data and information to meet the needs of policymakers, the media, and the public

• Write fact-based analyses and explainers for non-scientific audiences
• Distill complex findings through clear narrative explanations and data visualizations
• Respond to external inquiries from the media, policymakers, stakeholders, and others in the policy community

Conduct primarily descriptive data analyses for the team to inform policy discussions on a wide range of topics relating to hospitals and health systems

• Identify the best data sources available, gain a deep understanding of the data and their limitations, and develop analytic plans
• Run, debug, and document code that carries out analyses.

Lead collaboratively, work independently

• Lead projects in a highly collaborative environment and provide a positive, supportive influence on the team
• Take ownership of projects, managing them efficiently and through completion while coordinating with and updating teammates. 

Bring expertise in health policy to KFF and the Project on Hospital Costs

• Maintain active knowledge of the health policy and market landscape relating to hospital and health system spending, prices, finances, and business practices.
• Track evolving federal and state policy discussions relating to hospitals and health systems and proactively brainstorm new, relevant research projects.

Minimum Desired Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• Graduate degree (master’s or PhD) in health economics, health policy, public administration, business, or a related field preferred.
• At least 5 years of work experience in the government, health care industry, or consulting, preferably related to hospitals and health systems. Years studying for a relevant graduate degree could potentially substitute in part for work experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the U.S. health care system and, preferably, of the key issues related hospital and health system spending, prices, finances, and business practices.
• Experience and demonstrated competence in programming, with a preference for fluency in R or Stata. 
• Experience analyzing health care datasets, such as hospital cost reports, claims data, large government surveys, and data from commercial vendors.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and management skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently on concurrent projects and balance multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative environment
• Inquisitive, creative, productive, positive-minded, and results oriented.
• Authorization to work in the United States

The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

This full-time position will be based in KFF’s Washington, DC office, located downtown near Metro Center (preferred) or in KFF’s San Francisco headquarters. KFF is currently working a hybrid schedule and requires all staff to work in the office a minimum of two days a week.

Compensation

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Compensation includes an outstanding benefits package equivalent in value to approximately fifty percent of base salary including a generous and immediately vested defined contribution plan and zero-premium health coverage.

The annual salary range for the Senior Policy Analyst / Senior Data Analyst position is between $93,800 and $110,000. Our job titles and salary ranges may span more than one career level, and the salary offered to a candidate will be determined based on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, job-related knowledge and skill set, depth of experience, certifications and/or degrees, and our practice of upholding salary equity within the organization. 

How to Apply

If this position is of interest to you, and you have the requisite experience and qualifications, please click the button to apply.

KFF has an efficient applicant review process and will contact candidates who have applied for this position and whose qualifications most closely fit the criteria for the job. No phone inquiries please.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Inclusion Statement

KFF is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.