The Hilltop Institute

The Hilltop Institute conducts research and policy analysis to support health care financing and delivery system reform in Maryland and other states. With access to an extensive onsite data repository that includes Medicaid and Medicare administrative data, hospital discharge data, nursing home assessment data, and all-payer claims data, Hilltop conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform health care payment, program design, monitoring, and evaluation.

The Hilltop Institute at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is seeking a “Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst for Institutional Development” to join its executive management team. Hilltop is a university-based, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people and communities. Hilltop uses a data-driven approach to inform key state and federal policymakers on health care financing and delivery system reform in Maryland and other states. The Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst for Institutional Development works with Hilltop's executive director on organizational advancement, including strategic communications, new business development, event planning, public relations, marketing, and strategic planning to promote Hilltop’s brand and mission.

UMBC offers competitive compensation.  The Policy Analyst role starts at $88,000; the Senior Policy Analyst starts at $117,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

What is it like to work at UMBC?  Check out Glassdoor or Indeed.

For 15 years in a row UMBC has been recognized as a Great College to Work For! 

A hybrid telework schedule may be available.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Developing, implementing, and periodically reassessing a marketing/promotion strategy for Hilltop aligned with Hilltop’s strategic plan
• Developing and maintaining up-to-date fact sheets, capability statements, project summaries, and other materials to support proposal writing and promote Hilltop’s capabilities, areas of expertise, and initiatives
• Managing sponsorships and memberships with professional organizations and organizing abstract submissions, displays, and promotional activities for national research meetings
• Building Hilltop’s social media presence, promoting Hilltop’s activities, accomplishments, and research findings using multiple venues, including electronic mailings, Hilltop’s website, and social media, and maintaining brand consistency across all Hilltop publications, digital media, and social media
• Organizing and developing Hilltop-sponsored events, such as symposia and colloquiums
• Managing the organization and content of Hilltop’s public website, ensuring that content is fresh and aimed at key audiences while measuring the success of marketing campaigns in driving traffic to the site
• Overseeing media relations, building relationships with news organizations, promoting Hilltop’s work, and coordinating interviews with Hilltop experts
• Grant writing and submitting proposals, researching and monitoring funding opportunities with federal/state governments, foundations, other organizations
• Acting as the liaison between Hilltop, the Office of Research and Creative Achievement, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the UMBC Director of Media Relations, and external sponsors
• Planning and overseeing the migration of Hilltop’s database on proposals and grants/contracts to a new platform that better meets organizational needs in Kuali and SharePoint
• Managing monthly progress reporting to major sponsors and serving as editorial director for annual reports on activities and accomplishments
• Performing other duties as assigned

Policy Analyst

Requires a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, public health, or another relevant discipline and four years of experience. A master’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, public health, or another relevant discipline and two years of experience may be substituted. Must be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, have strong analytical and communications skills (both verbal and written), and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and build professional networks.

Senior Policy Analyst

Requires a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, public health, or another relevant discipline and seven years of experience. A master’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, public health, or another relevant discipline and five years of experience may be substituted. Must be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, have strong analytical and communications skills (both verbal and written), and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and build professional networks.

The ideal candidate will possess the required experience and the following professional and interpersonal competencies:

• Substantive knowledge of federal/state health policy and financing and publicly funded health programs—a deep enough understanding of these topics to write Hilltop promotional materials, proposals, issue briefs, and technical reports on these topics
• Building relationships with media organizations
• Demonstrated experience using social media for institutional advancement
• Experience in grant/proposal writing and submission
• Utilizing a content management system, such as Drupal or WordPress
• Utilizing a grant management system such as Kuali, Grants.gov, Research.gov
• Envisioning and writing promotional content such as website content, promotional materials, press releases, and social media posts
• Working with graphic designers and data visualization experts
• Experience as an editorial director for reports that require input from multiple parties
• Developing marketing/promotion plans and an understanding of how to strategically target audiences relevant to Hilltop’s work.

A background check will be required. 

Upload a cover letter and a resume.  

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave  
• 15 Days of Sick Leave  
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Salary: Policy Analyst - $88,000 to $100,000; Senior Policy Analyst - $117,000 to $133,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Grant Funded

This position is Grant Funded, wherein employment is contingent upon award renewal.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.