Senior Officer for Policy & Advocacy
ABOUT DOGWOOD HEALTH TRUST
Founded in 2018, Dogwood Health Trust (Dogwood) is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina. Its sole purpose is to dramatically improve the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of the 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina.
As a funder, Dogwood invests in collaborative, innovative, and equitable efforts that address the many factors contributing to overall wellbeing, especially in the areas of housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness. Ultimately, Dogwood seeks to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions.
Our Values
- Compassion with Courage. We will be bold in pursuing our commitment to the people and communities of Western North Carolina by taking smart risks and investing in opportunities for profound impact.
- Sustainability with Integrity. We will bring transparency and humility in stewarding resources to support and strengthen Western North Carolina for generations to come.
- Partnering with Purpose. We will foster collective impact by promoting collaboration and advancing shared learning.
SUMMARY
Dogwood Health Trust seeks a strategic, collaborative, and experienced Senior Officer for Policy & Advocacy to advance systems changes that improve the health and well-being of the people and communities of Western North Carolina. Building on Dogwood’s commitment to creating a region where every generation can live, learn, earn, and thrive, this role will lead efforts to strengthen regional policy and advocacy capacity, elevate Western North Carolina priorities in state and national policy conversations, and cultivate networks that accelerate systems change.
The Senior Officer serves as a senior leader responsible for designing and implementing Dogwood’s policy and advocacy strategy. This individual will strengthen the region’s capacity to influence public policy by supporting local leaders, nonprofit organizations, advocacy partners, coalitions, and community-based networks. The role requires a deep understanding of how policy change occurs, particularly in rural and historically underinvested communities, and the ability to translate regional priorities into actionable policy strategies that drive meaningful outcomes.
Reporting to the Vice President of Impact & Community Investing, the Senior Officer will build and manage a portfolio of policy and advocacy initiatives focused on advancing equitable outcomes across Dogwood’s strategic priorities. The position will serve as a bridge between community experience, regional leadership, philanthropy, and policymaking, ensuring that Western North Carolina's voices, data, and lived experiences shape policy decisions at local, state, and national levels.
The Senior Officer will work across Dogwood’s community investment team, including impact investing, collaboration and innovation, stronger organizations, learning and evaluation, communications, and executive leadership functions, to ensure policy strategies are integrated. The role will also support Dogwood’s engagement with policymakers, thought leaders, philanthropic peers, intermediaries, and national networks while ensuring all activities remain consistent with applicable laws and regulations governing charitable organizations.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Policy Strategy, Systems Change & Regional Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive policy and advocacy strategy that advances Dogwood Health Trust’s mission and strategic priorities while strengthening the long-term civic and policy capacity of Western North Carolina.
- Identify and assess emerging policy opportunities, threats, and systems-level challenges affecting the region, with particular attention to comprehensive rural community development, housing, health and wellbeing, economic opportunity, and education.
- Design and advance policy strategies that leverage research, coalition-building, relationship development, field-building, narrative change, and systems leadership to influence public decision-making.
- Translate complex policy environments into actionable strategies that drive measurable changes in public systems, resource allocation, regulations, and institutional practices.
- Develop and maintain a regional policy strategy informed by community voices, local leaders, nonprofit partners, and data regarding the unique opportunities and challenges facing Western North Carolina.
- Ensure policy priorities reflect Dogwood's commitment to equity, community-centered solutions, and place-based philanthropy.
- Monitor local, state, and federal policy developments and evaluate their implications for Western North Carolina communities.
- Produce and oversee policy research, issue briefs, analyses, and strategic recommendations to inform organizational decision-making and external engagement.
- Help shape Dogwood's long-term systems change strategy by identifying opportunities where philanthropy can strengthen civic infrastructure and policy influence.
Regional Capacity Building, Networks & Cohort Development
- Lead efforts to strengthen the policy and advocacy capacity of nonprofit organizations, community leaders, coalitions, and intermediaries throughout Western North Carolina.
- Design and manage leadership cohorts, peer-learning networks, and collaborative initiatives that help regional leaders develop policy and advocacy skills.
- Foster stronger relationships among nonprofit, public, private, tribal, philanthropic, and community stakeholders to advance shared policy goals.
- Support the development of sustainable regional infrastructure for advocacy, civic engagement, policy research, and collective action.
- Identify and support emerging policy champions across the region who can effectively represent local priorities in broader policymaking environments.
- Develop learning opportunities, technical assistance programs, and peer exchanges that strengthen regional policy leadership and collective influence.
- Build relationships with statewide and national organizations that can help amplify regional priorities and increase access to policy expertise, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
- Strengthen coordination across issue areas and sectors to advance comprehensive, cross-cutting policy solutions.
External Engagement & Public Leadership
- Represent Dogwood Health Trust in policy, philanthropic, and civic leadership forums at local, regional, state, and national levels.
- Develop trusted relationships with policymakers, agency leaders, advocacy organizations, academic institutions, philanthropic partners, and community leaders.
- Elevate Western North Carolina perspectives within statewide and national policy discussions by ensuring rural experiences, data, and community needs are visible and well understood.
- Identify opportunities for Dogwood to contribute knowledge, research, and regional insights that inform public policy conversations.
- Convene stakeholders around shared policy priorities and facilitate collaborative approaches to systems change.
- Support executive leadership and the Board of Directors with policy analysis, strategic insights, and briefings related to emerging issues and opportunities.
- Collaborate with the communications team to support and advise the organization in public advocacy communications.
- Serve as a spokesperson and thought leader on issues aligned with Dogwood’s strategic priorities.
Grantmaking, Partnerships & Strategic Investments
- Collaborate with grantmaking and impact investing colleagues to integrate policy and systems-change approaches into funding strategies.
- Identify opportunities for grantmaking, technical assistance, research, and strategic investments that strengthen regional advocacy infrastructure and civic capacity.
- Partner with funded organizations to enhance their understanding of policy environments and opportunities for systems-level impact.
- Support grantees in developing evidence-based policy strategies and building sustainable advocacy capabilities.
- Engage intermediaries, academic institutions, research organizations, and policy partners to advance regional priorities.
- Serve as a resource to internal teams and external partners regarding policy trends, systems-change strategies, and best practices.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Communications colleagues to align policy priorities with strategic communications, narrative change, public engagement, and storytelling efforts.
- Collaborate with Learning & Evaluation staff to develop measures that assess policy, systems, and field-building outcomes.
- Work closely with leaders across Dogwood teams to ensure policy considerations are integrated throughout organizational initiatives.
- Contribute policy expertise to organizational planning, strategy development, and cross-functional projects.
- Facilitate the sharing of policy intelligence, community insights, and emerging opportunities across the organization.
- Help identify opportunities where Dogwood can leverage its relationships, convening power, investments, and voice to drive systems change.
Organizational Leadership
- Serve as a senior thought partner to organizational leadership on issues related to policy, advocacy, systems change, and civic engagement.
- Manage consultants, research partners, and contracted advisors supporting policy initiatives.
- Develop annual work plans, goals, budgets, and performance measures for policy and advocacy activities.
- Establish systems and processes that strengthen organizational learning and policy effectiveness.
- Contribute to a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
- Promote effective stewardship of organizational resources while advancing strategic objectives.
- Support Dogwood's commitment to equity, community engagement, and regional partnership.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Education/Certification
- Bachelor's degree in public policy, Political Science, Public Administration, or related field.
- Preferred master's degree in public policy, Political Science, Public Administration, or related field.
Work Experience
- 8-10+ years of experience in public policy, health policy, advocacy, government, public affairs, public relations, or a related field; a background in advocacy desirable.
- Experience in philanthropy or nonprofit preferred.
- Experience in grantmaking preferred.
- Direct experience with North Carolina public policy is beneficial.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to develop rapport and engender trust.
- Exceptional people skills, a focused listener, with discerning engagement
- Ability to analyze, synthesize, and translate complex information, orally and in writing, to influence the process and explain results to parties inside and outside the organization.
- Strong analytical skills layered with healthy curiosity and inquiry.
- Ability to build coalitions to drive strategic initiatives, impactful programs, and community engagement.
- Ability to show a high degree of personal initiative.
- Skilled in time and project management; ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
- Exercise sound judgment and maintain highly confidential information.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills paired with knowledge and use of databases, spreadsheets, graphics, and other reporting tools necessary for adequate documentation.
- Ability to develop, maintain, and evolve a body of concepts and learnings to inform and reflect the thinking and knowledge of the team and organization.
- Adept at figuring out the processes necessary to get things done; knows how to organize people and activities; understands how to separate and combine tasks into efficient workflow; knows what to measure and how to measure it.
- Responsive to individual differences in personal backgrounds; recognizes own cultural identity and areas for growth in understanding of and relating to other cultures and identities; shows respect and open-mindedness to other people’s views and experiences; actively seeks to engage and involve diverse groups.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- We work in an office environment, both on-site and in home offices, that requires operating standard office equipment. Office workspaces are designed to be accessible and inclusive, accommodating various physical needs and promoting a healthy work environment.
- Dogwood utilizes a hybrid work schedule consisting of a two-day minimum on-site presence. This role is expected to work regularly from the Asheville, NC, office or from home in the region we serve, with schedule flexibility determined by business needs rather than personal preference.
- This position is committed to living in the 18-county region Dogwood serves.
- Periodic moderate travel is an essential function of this role. It includes travel throughout Western North Carolina, the North Carolina Triangle region, Washington, D.C., and other locations across the United States. Overnight travel is expected.
- This position is a full-time, salaried, exempt role.
WHAT WE OFFER
Dogwood’s purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of Western North Carolina is also evident within our doors. The starting salary is commensurate with experience, which will be vetted through the interview process. Expected starting range for this role is $155k - $165k annually. All full-time team members can take part in a broad range of competitive benefits, including:
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life and AD&D insurance.
- Competitive match for 403b retirement contributions.
- Annual PTO (4 weeks) & Sick (2 weeks).
- 10 paid holidays, 5 paid Winter Break days.
Dogwood Health Trust is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work and on our teams. We know that the rich diversity of perspectives and wisdom imperative to our purpose can only come from a wide variety of origins and life experiences. We strongly believe that creating a workplace where all team members thrive is critical to fulfilling our purpose in the communities we serve. We intentionally recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Qualified candidates are urged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
This position will close on Monday, September 7th 2026, at 11:59 PM. Applications must be submitted before the deadline, as late submissions will not be accepted.
