Chief Operating and Financial Officer

The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is a national legal and policy organization that has worked for nearly 60 years to protect and expand access to quality health care for low-income and underserved people. Grounded in a commitment to health equity and civil rights, NHeLP advocates for individuals and communities that too often face barriers to care, combining deep expertise with strong partnerships to hold federal and state governments accountable and advance lasting, systemic change.

NHeLP advances its mission through an integrated approach that brings together impact litigation, federal and state policy advocacy, education, and on-the-ground partnerships. It is home to one of the country's most experienced Medicaid litigation teams, participates in more than 80 national coalitions, and works with advocates in all 50 states. Its cross-cutting expertise encompasses Medicaid eligibility and enrollment, access to health services, disability rights, sexual and reproductive health, civil rights, and health care delivery-system reform. This combination of national and state Medicaid expertise, real-time implementation insight, and legal capacity allow NHeLP to identify emerging threats, prevent disruptions in coverage, and translate lessons from individual states into broader systems improvements.

At a time of significant threats to Medicaid and health care access, NHeLP is strengthening the national infrastructure needed to respond quickly and effectively. Its Medicaid Access Strategy Hub connects advocates, legal experts, and implementation specialists across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to identify problems early, exchange effective strategies, and coordinate legal and policy responses. Through its Health Law Partnerships, NHeLP also funds and supports state-based legal advocacy organizations – currently spanning 24 states and Puerto Rico – by pairing national expertise with partners’ local knowledge, relationships, and community trust. Together, these efforts extend NHeLP’s reach and help ensure that health care rights are not simply promises on paper, but meaningful protections that can be enforced in people’s lives.

The National Health Law Program is at a pivotal moment of growth and leadership transition. Over the past six years, its staff and budget have more than doubled, with a projected FY2026 budget of approximately $15.2 million. As NHeLP expands its reach and impact, the organization seeks an experienced Chief Operating & Financial Officer (COO/CFO) to strengthen and scale the financial systems and operational infrastructure needed to support its mission and continued growth.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the COO/CFO will have responsibility for NHeLP's financial strategy and broader operational infrastructure. This leader will direct financial planning, budgeting, investment strategy, nonprofit fund accounting, grant compliance, risk management, and Board financial reporting. An important early priority will be completing NHeLP's transition from outsourced to in-house accounting while ensuring strong controls, efficient processes, and timely financial information to support sound decision-making and long-term sustainability.

The COO/CFO will lead the Mission Coordination Team (MCT), a multidisciplinary group encompassing finance, accounting, administration, operations, technology, and people and culture across NHeLP's offices in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and Chapel Hill. This leader will guide the team through its 2026-2028 strategic roadmap, foster a collaborative and accountable culture, and partner closely with NHeLP leadership to align the organization's people, systems, and resources.

As a member of NHeLP's Leadership Table and Executive Team, the COO/CFO will help shape organizational priorities and strengthen cross-functional collaboration. This leader will serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Treasurer, and will provide financial expertise and analysis to the Board through its Finance, Administration, and Investment Committee and Audit Committee. The successful candidate will bring significant financial and operational leadership experience, a record of building systems that support NHeLP’s organizational growth, and a genuine commitment to advancing health equity for low-income and underserved communities.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Stewardship & Risk Management

• Direct all financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, including the organization-wide budget framework aligned to NHeLP's matrixed program structure;
• Track and manage multiple concurrent streams of restricted and unrestricted grant funding, ensuring compliant expenditure and reporting in partnership with Managing Attorneys and Development staff;
• Serve as an authorized bank and Bill.com signer and oversee treasury management and investment strategy in accordance with the Board-approved Investment Policy Statement to generate sustainable unrestricted investment income;
• Serve as NHeLP's principal enterprise risk officer and ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal nonprofit financial and reporting requirements, including the annual independent audit and IRS Form 990; and
• Deliver regular financial literacy education to the Board and senior leadership;
• Own the transition to a fully in-house accounting function in close partnership with the Director of Finance and Accounting Director, ensuring strong internal controls, timely monthly closes and reporting, accurate grant-level accounting, and streamlined accounts receivable, contracts, grants, and salary allocation workflows.
• Guide the Director of Finance in building out NHeLP's budgeting and forecasting infrastructure — including a comprehensive, matrix-aligned budget framework and a five-year, expense-driven forecasting model — and in expanding financial literacy and budget training for program leaders;
• Support the Accounting Director in strengthening internal controls, audit readiness, and IRS and state compliance, and in developing financial continuity protocols to safeguard operations through future transitions.

Operations, Administration & Technology

• Oversee business operations across all offices, including insurance, property management, procurement, contracting, leases, and vendor relationships;
• Direct information technology strategy and services for all locations and remote staff, including data security and information governance;
• Champion documentation and adoption of standard operating procedures, role clarity, and a searchable knowledge hub to support a growing, hybrid workforce;
• Maintain and exercise NHeLP's business continuity plan; and
• Provide data, analysis, and strategic support to the Executive Director and Board on organizational planning and sustainability.

People & Culture Oversight

• Partner with the Sr. Director of People & Culture and support execution of NHeLP's talent acquisition, compensation, and retention strategies;
• Support the rollout of an organization-wide feedback and performance review cycle and formal succession planning; and
• Champion continued advancement of NHeLP's diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments in hiring, retention, and workplace culture.

Strategic Leadership & Board Partnership

• Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Director on the financial and operational implications of strategic decisions;
• Partner with the Board's Finance, Administration, and Investment Committee; Audit Committee, and Treasurer on financial strategy, audit, and investment oversight; and
• Significantly engage in NHeLP's annual and multi-year strategic planning efforts, including the MCT's 2026-2028 roadmap.

Organizational Culture and Enterprise-Level Leadership

• Serve on NHeLP's Leadership Table, playing a significant role in setting and executing organizational priorities and ensuring effective cross-collaboration;
• Actively demonstrate personal alignment with NHeLP's equity stance; and
• Serve as a culture carrier for the organization, reinforcing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and belonging.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will bring the strategic perspective and hands-on capabilities needed to lead through NHeLP’s next chapter, along with a demonstrated commitment to NHeLP's mission, values, and advancement of equity. A bachelor's degree is required; an MBA, MPA, MPP, CPA, or comparable financial certification is preferred. Experience in health policy, health law, or a related advocacy environment is helpful but not required. This position requires periodic travel to NHeLP's offices in Washington, DC; Los Angeles; and Chapel Hill.

The following competencies reflect the financial, operational, leadership, and interpersonal capabilities most critical for success in the COO/CFO role:

Strategic Financial Leadership & Nonprofit Expertise

• At least 10 years of progressive financial and operational leadership experience, including senior-level responsibility within a multi-million-dollar nonprofit or similarly complex, mission-driven organization.
• Deep expertise in nonprofit accounting, budgeting, forecasting, fund and grant accounting, compliance, financial reporting, and internal controls, including experience strengthening in-house accounting systems, processes, and capacity.
• Experience overseeing nonprofit investments, working within an Investment Policy Statement, and partnering effectively with a Board Finance/Investment Committee.
• Demonstrated ability to safeguard organizational financial health while providing forward-looking analysis and strategic financial guidance to support informed decision-making.

Operational Strategy, Infrastructure & Execution

• Proven ability to strengthen operational infrastructure, including systems, technology, processes, team structures, and accountability mechanisms that support organizational effectiveness.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical operating plans, roadmaps, KPIs, decision rights, and clear ownership while working effectively at both the strategic and detailed execution levels, particularly during periods of transition, limited capacity, or competing priorities.
• Systems-oriented approach to organizational design, process improvement, technology enablement, project management, and cross-functional coordination, bringing helpful structure and consistency without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Sound judgment to determine where change is needed, where continuity is valuable, and which practical improvements will have the greatest organizational impact.
• Experience leading and developing a multidisciplinary team spanning Finance, Accounting, Administration, Operations/IT, and People & Culture, fostering greater cohesion, clarity, and shared purpose across functions.
• Hands‑on commitment to mentoring staff, building capacity, supporting professional growth, and establishing clear expectations and accountability.
• Leadership approach that promotes effective delegation, appropriate autonomy, trust, collaboration, and psychological safety.
• Strong advocate for the MCT, ensuring it is appropriately resourced and positioned as a strategic partner across NHeLP.
• Ability to balance competing demands, support sustainable team capacity, and strengthen collaboration between the Mission Coordination Team and NHeLP’s Practice and Strategic Areas.

Executive Partnership, Adaptability & Change Leadership

• Experience guiding an organization through senior leadership transitions while ensuring continuity, role clarity, and organizational stability.
• Ability to serve as a trusted strategic thought partner to the Executive Director, bringing clear recommendations, relevant context, sound judgment, and a willingness to constructively challenge assumptions and help clarify priorities.
• Experience navigating ambiguity, evolving priorities, distributed work, and lean staffing with steadiness, flexibility, and pragmatism.
• Ability to integrate financial strategy, operational infrastructure, and people systems to support NHeLP’s organizational effectiveness and evolving needs.
• Experience strengthening leadership structures, clarifying roles and decision-making authority, and fostering coordination across senior leaders and functions while balancing inclusive collaboration with timely decision-making and accountability.

Relationship Building, Communication & Mission Alignment

• High emotional intelligence, humility, integrity, curiosity, and a collaborative, low-ego working style, with the ability to build trust and productive relationships across a highly collaborative and matrixed organization.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial and operational concepts clearly for lawyers, policy professionals, staff, funders, and Board members with varying levels of financial expertise.
• Commitment to prioritizing relationship-building and organizational learning early in the role.
• Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors and Board committees, with an understanding of appropriate governance roles and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to NHeLP’s mission and values and to advancing equity, including health equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, through equitable, transparent, and values-aligned financial and operational leadership.
• Discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive organizational, personnel, and financial matters.

The compensation range for this position is between $246,799 and $271,479 annually.

Compensation is competitive, commensurate with experience, and aligned with internal equity. Generous benefits are available, including employer-paid medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, pre-tax savings plans, and a retirement savings opportunity. NHeLP also offers generous paid time off, including holidays, sick time, personal time, family and medical leave for eligible employees, and vacation.

NHeLP advocates to advance the health rights of many populations that have traditionally lacked legal protection, such as women, people of color, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, and people with limited English proficiency. To promote social justice and best achieve mission, NHeLP is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. We make our employment decisions based on merit. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, and we do not discriminate based on race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.