Position Description
The Director, Policy & Advocacy is a senior role reporting to the President & CEO or senior member of the Leadership Team as designated by the President & CEO. The Director will oversee a team that supports the public policy and advocacy needs of our members by analyzing relevant health and benefits-related statutes and regulations, supporting members on benefits compliance and design issues, and developing and executing strategies to expand the Business Group’s advocacy reach by interacting regularly with legislators, agencies, the executive branch, and other organizations to advance matters of importance to our member companies. This position is based in Washington, DC and is temporarily remote.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead team to proactively identify, monitor, and analyze legislation and regulations of significance to Business Group members and employer-sponsored coverage broadly.
- Represent the organization, serving as the primary liaison to Congress, regulatory agencies, coalitions and other associations on health policy and benefits-related matters.
- Lead advocacy activities on behalf of the organization, including drafting comment letters, delivering expert testimony, presenting to external audiences, developing talking points and issuing statements in support of employer member policy priorities.
- Research, review, and develop a variety of written materials that clearly and concisely describe policy, regulatory and compliance matters.
- Respond to requests for policy analysis, research, and information from members, policymakers, and Business Group colleagues within tight deadlines.
- Serve as expert resource to internal team and others.
- Continually evaluate the organization’s advocacy strategy and policy deliverables as the policy and regulatory environment evolves.
- Develop and foster first and second tier relationships with key policy makers and staff at various levels of state and federal legislative and regulatory bodies, as appropriate.
- Establish and deepen relationships with like-minded advocacy, membership, and policy organizations/associations to aide in monitoring and influencing health care policy impacting employer-sponsored plans.
- Organize opportunities for Business Group leadership and member companies to interact with government or government-facing partners, third parties, and industry stakeholders, to promote Business Group priorities.
- Assess external, political, and policy-oriented issues and risks that impact Business Group priorities and/or negatively impact members.
- Represent the organization at various engagements, which could include senior staff and executive level discussions and meetings with elected officials and their staff as relates to advocacy efforts.
- Provide research, analysis and talking points to the President & CEO as needed, including information for external presentations, Congressional testimony, etc.
- Provide day to day supervision of direct reports on Policy team providing feedback, performance management, as well as growth and development opportunities. Empower team to expand their capabilities, responsibilities and overall performance to deliver on behalf of member companies and in support of organizational objectives.
Qualifications
- JD or Master’s degree in public policy, health policy, health or benefits law, or related field (economics, labor relations, business, or health services research) required. Consideration given for equivalent related experience.
- 15+ years professional experience in health policy, advocacy, or external affairs role with a demonstrated history in tracking multiple regulatory issues impacting employer-sponsored coverage and developing and implementing related advocacy strategies.
- Employer-sponsored health policy knowledge and advocacy skills/abilities; an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and work collaboratively; and strong proactive project management skills.
- 5+ years of employee supervisory experience.
- Experience writing for a business audience as well as for regulators and legislative officials.
- Fluent in written and spoken English.
Required Skills
- Extensive knowledge of health policy matters, especially as relates to commercial and employer-sponsored coverage.
- Exceptional interpersonal, public speaking/verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to deliver clear and effective messages to various audiences and build strong relationships.
- Must be able to liaise across multiple internal and external teams and motivate performance/build alliances and trust, set expectations, delegate, and direct initiatives.
- Comfortable working under pressure, balancing competing priorities and adapting quickly to a constantly changing environment, with a strong attention to detail.
- Strong negotiation skills with an understanding of the political dynamics, both traditionally speaking but also as connected to Business Group membership.
- Manage a wide range of assigned projects from concept to completion on time and with minimal supervision.
- Proven ability to mentor and develop staff.
- Identifies emerging risks and challenges and brings proposed solutions to supervisor for discussion and approval.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new subject matter quickly and become conversant in it. Strong critical thinking, analytical and research skills, including familiarity with trusted policy and benefits sources.
- Exceptional ability to set goals, measure progress, and meet deadlines, while managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced work environment.
- High degree of self-motivation, organization, attention to detail, judgment, and problem-solving ability.
- Excellent internal and external customer and member service skills, having the ability to successfully interact with experts in the field, partners, colleagues, member companies, and potential members.
- High professional standards and the ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
- Proficient in all MS Office Software.
Key Attributes
- Orientation toward long-term strategic planning
- Resilient/flexible/adaptable
- Self-starter/motivated/interpersonal awareness
- Learner/mentor/team-player
- Member/customer-first orientation
- Analytical/creative/forward-thinking
- Conflict resolution/decision making/evaluation
- Interpersonal awareness/leadership
- Persuasive communication/public speaking
- Growth mindset