Vice President, Research and Policy

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood organizations serve all people with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. 
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates, which operate non-profit health centers across the U.S. PPFA also works to educate the public on and advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health. Formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a separate non-profit membership organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4). The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education in furtherance of the Planned Parenthood mission. PPFA and Action Fund seek a bold, strategic, and visionary leader to serve as Vice President of Research and Policy. 
This position reports to the Chief External Affairs Officer and sits within the External Affairs division, which drives PPFA & Action Fund’s narrative, public engagement, and influence across key audiences. The Vice President will lead a high-impact team responsible for developing forward-looking policy, advocacy, and message research, shaping the organizations’ policy agenda, and producing timely, actionable insights that inform national strategy, mobilize support, and guide legislative and advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels. This leader will oversee the development of long-term policy, advocacy, engagement, and research strategies to expand access to reproductive health care and advance sexual and reproductive rights. This role is essential to strengthening PPFA and the Action Fund’s position as a trusted thought leader, equipping internal and external stakeholders with the evidence, analysis, and foresight needed to meet the urgency of this political moment and the long-term demands of the movement.

Purpose:

• Leads the design and execution of a strategic research agenda that shapes PPFA and Action Fund’s policy priorities, brand positioning, and audience engagement, and Action Fund’s electoral strategy, across the National Office and local Planned Parenthood organizations.
• Oversees a cross-functional research portfolio including PPFA and Action Fund’s message testing, opposition research, and issue-specific studies, and Action Fund’s voter insights and electoral trends, that guide national and state strategies.
• Develops a research-informed theory of change to shift cultural narratives around abortion, reproductive freedom, gender, and racial justice.
• Translates complex data and behavioral insights into clear, actionable strategies that drive alignment across policy, communications, organizing, and advocacy.
• Brings deep expertise in reproductive health policy, health finance, and Medicaid to inform internal strategy and influence decision-makers across the health and policy landscape.
• Ensures that PPFA and Action Fund are recognized as SRH policy leaders amongst allied groups and elected officials. 
• Drives policy development for the federation through drafting white papers, legislation, policy agendas, and analysis.
• Leads a high-performing research and analytics team, managing staff, budgets, vendor relationships, and systems that support effective integration and dissemination of insights.

Engagement:

• Leads the integration and application of research and policy insights across the Federation, including with PPFA and Action Fund Boards, local Planned Parenthood organization leadership, senior executives, and external partners to drive alignment and clarity. 
• Partners across divisions to ensure research and data guide campaign strategy, policy development, messaging, and audience engagement at the national and state levels.
• Shapes narrative and policy-forward messaging strategies to mobilize key audiences.
• Serves as a strategic advisor to national and local Planned Parenthood organization leadership, providing technical expertise and insight to inform advocacy, regulatory strategy, and enterprise-wide decision-making.
• Represents the organization as a spokesperson in media, public forums, and coalition spa