JOB TITLE: Senior Policy Director, Government Affairs
DEPARTMENT: Government Affairs
REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Government Affairs
Compensation: $130,000 to $160,000
Benefits: Medical PPO/HMO option, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, and PTO
HYBRID WORK OPPORTUNITY Two days in Seattle office
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Director, Government Affairs leads public policy analysis, advocacy, and implementation on key laws, regulations, and agency actions of material importance to the operations of Washington State hospitals. The Senior Director provides the substantive expertise and direction needed to develop the legal and policy structure in order to further our hospital members’ ability to deliver quality, cost effective care. The Senior Director has responsibility for specific pieces of achieving the organization’s public policy goals; influences state and federal elected bodies, elected officials and administrative agencies; and assists hospital members in following and taking advantage of new laws.
The Senior Director will play a leading role in policy matters relating to complex/difficult to discharge patients who no longer need hospitalization, and hospital fiscal policy matters, including insurance issues. This role will report to the SVP of Government Affairs and will work closely with WSHA’s Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, policy directors, and contract lobbyists.
This will include:
- Developing and leading the Government Affairs team’s state budget review process on complex patient issues;
- Convening and developing legislative and non-legislative work on insurance-related issues;
- Facilitating or leading discussions with government affairs representatives, the governance-level Public Policy Committee (PPC), and Board members of hospitals on assigned policy and budget areas. This position also works with state agencies and other health care organizations.
- Other policy issues to support the Government Affair’s team in advancing the policy and advocacy efforts of the organization among lawmakers, members, and stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as lead staff on key health care issues with the state legislature and state agencies.
- Engage WSHA members in public policy and advocacy.
- Identify public policy opportunities or threats and create and develop proposed legislation in response.
- Identify opportunities for WSHA to address public policy challenges with voluntary efforts and lead this work.
- Encourage hospital member involvement in public policy, including preparing members to testify.
- Coordinate with WSHA lobbyists.
- Develop WSHA response on proposed rules and agency guidelines.
- Develop partnerships with other organizations that share WSHA interests and coordinate actions.
- Direct work of WSHA decision support staff to identify and display relevant data and information.
- Present information at legislative committees, regulatory hearings, and other governmental meetings, as well as to partner organizations.
- Present and facilitate discussions with the WSHA Board and committees, especially regarding issues such as advocacy and fiscal matters.
- Convene and chair WSHA sponsored work groups of hospital members, such as hospital pharmacists, financial counselors, hospital legal staff, hospital reimbursement staff, and others.
- Represent WSHA at outside workgroups and committees.
- Keep members informed on WSHA advocacy efforts through phone conferences, webinars, newsletters, bulletins, and other communication vehicles.
- Assist members in following important state laws, and in implementing new laws.
- Develop relationships with key agency staff, member staff, and partner organizations to identify and pursue hospital member interests.
- Contribute to the development of WSHA strategic goals.
- Participate as part of the policy development team — sharing work, expertise, and resources.
- Supports work of the SVP, Government Affairs as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position contains no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education/Experience:
Juris Doctor, Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Health, or Master of Public Policy degree and at least ten years of professional experience in health policy and advocacy with a health care related organization, association, governmental entity, or political organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills & Abilities:
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex law and regulations and communicate conclusions and recommendations in plain English to key audiences.
- Ability to draft legal memos, policy documents, regulations, and legislation.
- Familiarity with Washington State law and regulations.
- Knowledge of state, federal, and local political processes.
- Ability to build effective relationships and represent WSHA in a professional and confident manner
- Deep knowledge of health care environment.
- Strong project coordination/management and leadership skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Able to successfully communicate effectively and work with diverse populations.
- Ability to conceptualize, analyze, and communicate complex health policy issues to internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong, collaborative team player also able to successfully work independently.
- Proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects with competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
- Comfortable giving and receiving feedback in a constructive manner to colleagues and supervisors.
- Demonstrated leadership skills both within the government affairs team and with hospital leadership and government relations staff.
- Prior management experience preferred.
Computer Skills:
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint required. Proficiency with email required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described below represent the activities and surroundings of the positions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work is typically performed in an office environment, with a moderate noise level. The position requires working in an office environment with the usual office equipment, including copiers, fax machines, and computers. The employee is frequently required to talk and hear on the telephone and in person with individuals and groups. The incumbent may carry materials/equipment weighing up to 25 lbs. on occasion. The incumbent is required to read and respond to documents in hard copy and electronic form. The position requires frequent or occasional travel within Washington State to member facilities or Olympia, and infrequently overnight travel is required.
