Director, Government Relations
About The Position
Sun Life U.S. is a major provider of employee and government benefits, serving approximately 50 million Americans. The company offers a wide range of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation, through employers, industry partners, and government programs. With over 6,400 employees and associates across partner dental practices, Sun Life U.S. operates nationwide. The Director of Government Relations will be responsible for developing and implementing effective government relations strategies in the southeastern United States, requiring travel within the region and residency in the southeastern U.S.
Requirements
- BA/BS degree in political science, public policy, or a related field.
- 7+ years of minimum experience in lobbying and/or relevant experience.
- Experience with highly regulated industries.
- Knowledge of state political landscapes and their impact on business priorities.
- Ability to balance enterprise-wide thinking with day-to-day strategic execution in government relations.
- Experience working collaboratively with legislative staff and/or governmental regulatory agency leadership in multiple states.
- Strong ability to synthesize and communicate complex policies to non-policy audiences, both verbally and in writing.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, planning, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, determine project urgency, use goals to guide actions, create detailed action plans, and organize/schedule people and tasks.
- Ability to prioritize work and operate under tight deadlines.
- Must reside in the Southeastern part of the United States.
- Role requires travel.
Nice To Haves
- Master's or other advanced degree preferred.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute state-specific strategies to influence legislation, regulation, and policy proposals that align with Sun Life priorities.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with Executive Branch officials, gubernatorial appointee level officials, state legislators, and key staffers in the assigned region.
- Analyze proposed and enacted legislation, regulations, and sub-regulatory guidance to assess operational and financial impacts, collaborating with internal subject matter experts.
- Identify, synthesize, and report on the political landscape and its impact on relationships, opportunities, and challenges to inform overall government relations strategy.
- Build relationships with aligned state trade associations, business leaders, and other external stakeholders to advance Sun Life priorities and strengthen connections with elected officials and regulatory leaders.
- Manage state contract lobbyists and other outside contractors within the region.
- Ensure adherence to and educate internal stakeholders on state lobbying and ethics rules.
- Perform other duties as needed or required.
Benefits
- Generous vacation and sick time
- Market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave
- Medical coverage
- Company paid life and AD&D insurance
- Disability programs
- Partially paid sabbatical program
- 401(k) employer match
- Stock purchase options
- Employer-funded retirement account
- Flexible, inclusive and collaborative work environment that supports career growth
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
