Department Summary:

Drake University's Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement seeks its next Director of Wellness and Nutrition Policy. Now more than ever, our work across public health, environmental sustainability, food security, and access to medical care is essential to the wellbeing of individuals and communities in Iowa and beyond.

The next director will be fiercely committed to pursuing non-partisan, progressive solutions to pressing issues and to engaging policymakers, experts, and the public in solutions-oriented programming, decision-making, and dialogue. Essential to success in this role will be credentialed expertise in a field related to wellness, nutrition, or public health and a natural disposition toward collaboration in a communication-rich, dynamic, and highly collegial workplace.

Additionally, the successful candidate will be a person of high integrity adept at fostering and maintaining formal and informal partnerships alike. In representing the institute, the next director will be an excellent and experienced communicator. As a coworker, they will demonstrate organizational discipline and a focus on advancing the twin missions of The Harkin Institute and Drake University above all.

The next director will be primarily responsible for proposing and advancing a progressive vision and actionable strategy for The Harkin Institute’s Wellness and Nutrition portfolio; coordinate and manage project development; collaborate with research fellows; oversee the work of student associates; maintain the annual Wellness and Nutrition office budget; plan and execute the annual Harkin on Wellness symposium; and, as opportunities arise, collaborate with and support, as appropriate, the office of Communications, the Disability Policy office, and the Retirement Security office.

Those interested in this opportunity must hold a graduate credential in public health, nutrition, or a related professional or policy field; bring a minimum of five years of policy or professional experience at the community, statewide, or national level on issues related to public health, wellness and nutrition, and/or agricultural or environmental sustainability; demonstrate the ability to analyze and develop public policy and measurable outcomes; and possess exemplary organizational and interpersonal skills.

Job Summary:

Policy Development & Thought Leadership (35%)

Provide strategic direction and coordination to engage, grow and nurture wellness and nutrition policy research and initiatives.

Take the lead in developing and implementing the organization's wellness and nutrition policy agenda, research projects, and educational outreach.

Serve as the primary point person for managing wellness and nutrition policy and projects at the day-to-day level, including solving problems, fostering consensus

Provide strategic oversight and guidance for the entire Wellness & Nutrition portfolio of projects and programming.

Supervise Institute Fellows, Legal Research Assistants, and undergraduate students employed as Public Policy Research Assistants.

Finance, Planning, and Operational Leadership (30%)

Create and manage wellness and nutrition policy annual budget in collaboration with Chief of Staff and monitor spending across time.

Lead wellness and nutrition grant development efforts for the Institute and assist the Executive Director in maintaining positive relationships with donors.

Stakeholder Engagement (25%)

Oversee all organizational wellness and nutrition outreach and education to advisory council members, staff, policy makers, stakeholders and the public Lead workshops and discussions to update policy makers, stakeholders, supporters and institute staff on wellness and nutrition policy updates and work products.

Present non-partisan information and outcomes on finished wellness and nutrition projects and recommend best practices to policy makers and the public.

Other Duties (10%)

Serve as a key team member of the Harkin Institute in supporting its mission and promise to improve the lives of all Americans by giving policymakers and public access to high-quality information and engaging citizens as active participants in the formation of public policy.

Serve on standing and ad hoc committees, attend training and events, as directed.

Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to coordinate initiatives, solve complex challenges, and ensure successful execution of organizational priorities.

Perform other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

A post-bachelor credential in a healthcare, wellness, nutrition, environmental science-related field, including public policy, law or legal studies, or medicine.

A minimum of five years of policy development, analysis, or implementation experience at the community, statewide, or national level on issues related to health, wellness, nutrition, and/or sustainable agriculture.

Demonstrated ability to analyze public policy proposals and measurable outcomes.

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Reliable professional judgement in navigating uncertainty.

Proven ability to foster a collaborative, team-oriented culture by building strong relationships across departments, encouraging open communication, and supporting shared organizational goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree or above in a healthcare, wellness, nutrition, environmental science-related field, including public policy, law or legal studies, or medicine.

Ability to be resourceful and work independently.

High degree of comfort with ambiguity, uncertainty, and change.

Job Duties:

• 35% - Policy Development & Thought Leadership - (Essential)
• 30% - Finance, Planning, and Operational Leadership - (Essential)
• 25% - Stakeholder Engagement - (Essential)
• 10% - Other Duties - (Essential)

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits