Director of Wellness & Nutrition Policy - 386012
- Harkin Institute
- Staff, full-time (32+ hours per week)
Title: Director of Wellness & Nutrition Policy - 386012
Position Number: 386012
Unit/Department: The Harkin Institute
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
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)
Special Instructions to Applicants:
For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter.
Review of Applications Begins:
A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.
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
For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
ABOUT DRAKE
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. As reflected in our Core Values, we embrace a diverse and inclusive community.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Drake University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (p: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.
