Director Government Affairs

Highmark Health•Parkersburg, WV

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Director Government Affairs leads and manages the Government Relations function for a specific regional market, working with market leadership to establish the company’s government relations strategy. The role oversees communications with federal and state officials, legislators, and government agency officials, and works with internal subject matter experts, the broader Highmark Health government relations team, and other enterprise stakeholders to assess legislative and regulatory impacts and lead state-level discussions and collaborative actions. The position also collaborates on federal actions and other states as requested, analyzing how legislative and regulatory processes affect company operations, products, and health management services. This is a remote-based role in West Virginia, with onsite attendance in Parkersburg when necessary for leadership meetings and other enterprise activities. The position includes staff management responsibilities and requires representing the organization with government officials, external stakeholders, trade associations, and advocacy groups. The Director develops and carries out advocacy strategies, manages lobbying efforts, provides policy and regulatory guidance, and prepares communications and materials to advance organizational objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Business Administration/Management, Health Administration, Pre-Law, Public Policy Analysis, or a related field; six years of related and progressive experience may substitute for the degree.
Seven years of experience in a legal, lobbyist, or Government Affairs role.
Five years of experience in a leadership or management role.
Demonstrated strategic thinking and ability to influence community members and establish and execute a planning process.
Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues at different levels and with the community.
Ability to deliver presentations to diverse audiences.
Excellent organizational, analytical, conceptual, financial analysis, and problem-solving skills.
Documented successful experience demonstrating strong persuasion and influence capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis or Health Administration.
Experience in the hospital, healthcare insurance, or healthcare industry.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the Government Relations function for the assigned regional market and work with market leadership to set government relations strategy.
Manage staff and department operations, including hiring and termination decisions, coaching and development, recognition, performance management, productivity, and development of policies and programs; may have budgetary responsibility and authority.
Cultivate relationships with government officials and their staff, serving as the primary contact for federal, state, and local legislators and officials.
Build relationships and strategic alliances with external stakeholders, partners, and coalitions in the assigned regional market.
Provide internal policy and regulatory advice and education to support company products, services, and strategic initiatives, and provide guidance to government officials as needed.
Track, research, and analyze relevant legislation and regulations and assess their potential impact on the organization.
Communicate government relations information to market leadership and stakeholders, provide routine updates to the Highmark Health Compliance Department, and ensure senior leadership is aware of relevant pending policy and legal issues.
Monitor proposed and enacted state legislation and regulations, educate the company on laws, regulations, and guidance, and help identify operational impacts and compliance issues.
Develop and implement the organization’s responses to major state and federal public policy, regulatory, and legislative initiatives within the assigned regional market.
Coordinate advocacy activities with state and national trade associations when appropriate.
Manage external lobbying efforts and/or contracted lobbyists to advance the organization’s legislative and regulatory agenda.
Coordinate strategy and communications with Government Affairs staff to advance enterprise-wide positions and leverage strategic relationships.
Manage relationships with state and national trade associations, serve on committees and workgroups as needed, and help prioritize Highmark Health issues.
Develop advocacy communications and materials, including testimony, regulatory comments, talking points, reports, presentation materials, position papers, executive updates, meeting memoranda, leave-behind materials, and letters to legislators.
Represent the organization at external advocacy-focused meetings and related events as a key contact on regional advocacy issues.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.