How to apply for Vice President, Membership and Policy

About American Public Human Services Association

APHSA is a bipartisan national association representing state and local health and human services agencies. Its members administer programs for food, health care, housing, employment, child care, and community support. The organization works with and through these members to advance policy solutions.

About the role

The Vice President, Membership and Policy leads membership growth and engagement, advances national policy solutions, and manages a team. This role is part of the senior leadership and helps set the direction of APHSA. It involves building relationships with members, policymakers, and partners to turn member expertise into national policy.

A typical day

A typical day might involve meeting with the President & CEO and other senior leaders, working with your team on membership engagement strategies, and discussing policy priorities with members or policymakers. You could also review policy briefs, prepare for meetings with partners, or represent APHSA in external settings. The role is remote or hybrid, so some days may be spent in virtual meetings and others in person in Arlington, VA.

Who American Public Human Services Association is looking for

• Executive-level experience in membership organizations, policy, or health and human services.
• Proven ability to grow and engage a membership base and build strong relationships with policymakers and partners.
• Strategic, solution-oriented leader who can manage a team and work collaboratively across an association.
• Bipartisan approach and understanding of state and local health and human services programs.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of membership growth or engagement you have led, with numbers if possible.
• Describe your experience turning member or stakeholder expertise into policy solutions at the national level.
• Show your ability to lead a team and work with senior leadership to set organizational direction.
• Demonstrate familiarity with health and human services programs such as food assistance, health care, housing, employment, or child care.
• Emphasize your bipartisan work and relationships with state and local agencies.

What to cover in your cover letter

1. Your track record in membership growth and engagement, including specific results. 2. Your experience advancing policy solutions, especially in health and human services. 3. Your leadership style and ability to manage a team and collaborate with senior leadership. 4. Your understanding of APHSA's bipartisan role and its members.

Research before applying

• APHSA's current membership structure and recent policy priorities.
• The organization's leadership team and how the Vice President, Membership and Policy fits in.
• Recent APHSA policy positions or publications on health and human services issues.
• The landscape of state and local health and human services agencies and their key challenges.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you grow and engage APHSA's membership?
• Describe a time you turned member expertise into a national policy solution.
• How do you lead a team while working as part of a senior leadership group?
• What experience do you have with state and local health and human services programs?
• How would you build relationships with policymakers and partners in a bipartisan way?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on policy or only on membership, rather than showing you can lead both.
• Ignoring the bipartisan nature of the organization and its members.
• Failing to provide concrete examples of past leadership in membership or policy roles.