Director Of Policy Initiatives

State of Maryland • Baltimore City, MD

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is an independent State agency that regulates Maryland’s $49 billion insurance industry and protects consumers by monitoring and enforcing insurers’ and insurance professionals’ compliance with State law. Staff members are subject matter experts who serve as a resource for lawmakers, consumers, and other public and private entities. The MIA is charged with a broad range of responsibilities including the licensure of insurance carriers and insurance producers (brokers/agents) operating in Maryland, the conduct of financial examinations of companies to monitor financial solvency, and the review and approval of rates and contract forms. The MIA investigates reports of consumer fraud and consumer complaints about life, health, automobile, homeowners, and/or property insurance. Insurance carriers are subject to market conduct examinations and other actions to monitor compliance with Maryland law. The MIA also has a unit dedicated to consumer education and outreach, which participates in hundreds of events and reaches thousands of individual consumers annually. This is a Management Service position that serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. GRADE STD 0020 LOCATION OF POSITION Baltimore City (potential for hybrid between office and teleworking). The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is recruiting for a Director of Policy Initiatives. This position is assigned to the External Affairs and Policy Initiatives Division and is responsible for assisting with the advancement of the MIA’s mission to include; supporting the development and implementation of regulatory and policy initiatives to mitigate factors that adversely impact the availability and affordability of property and casualty insurance; addressing unfair trade practices by insurers and professionals licensed by the MIA; and advancing effective surveillance of insurers’ solvency. The Director of Policy Initiatives monitors, evaluates, and advises MIA leadership and staff, on legislative developments in Maryland, on the federal level, and in other states, as well as action on model legislation by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). The position drafts or supports the drafting of departmental legislative proposals, agency feedback and written testimony on bills, explanation of fiscal impact responses for bills, legislatively mandated reports, regulations that implement insurance laws, bulletins that clarify insurance laws, and briefings on insurance issues. The Director communicates the agency's policy positions and legal interpretations to outside parties, including legislators, consumers, partner agencies, and members of the insurance industry. The position also represents the MIA, in a liaison capacity, on inter-agency and NAIC working groups. The Director of Policy Initiatives will provide direct supervision of the Manager of Health Policy Initiatives and Government and External Affairs Specialist.

Requirements

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least three (3) years of recent professional experience in research, policy analysis, legislation, and/or insurance.

Nice To Haves

• JD Degree and admission to the Maryland Bar is preferred.
• Legislative experience is preferred.
• Working knowledge of the insurance industry.
• At least one (1) year experience supervising employees is preferred.
• Strong research and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with the advancement of the MIA’s mission to include; supporting the development and implementation of regulatory and policy initiatives to mitigate factors that adversely impact the availability and affordability of property and casualty insurance; addressing unfair trade practices by insurers and professionals licensed by the MIA; and advancing effective surveillance of insurers’ solvency.
• Monitoring, evaluating, and advising MIA leadership and staff, on legislative developments in Maryland, on the federal level, and in other states, as well as action on model legislation by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL).
• Drafting or supporting the drafting of departmental legislative proposals, agency feedback and written testimony on bills, explanation of fiscal impact responses for bills, legislatively mandated reports, regulations that implement insurance laws, bulletins that clarify insurance laws, and briefings on insurance issues.
• Communicating the agency's policy positions and legal interpretations to outside parties, including legislators, consumers, partner agencies, and members of the insurance industry.
• Representing the MIA, in a liaison capacity, on inter-agency and NAIC working groups.
• Providing direct supervision of the Manager of Health Policy Initiatives and Government and External Affairs Specialist.

Benefits

• A generous leave package
• Medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage
• Healthcare and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts
• A defined benefit pension plan with optional 457 and 401k supplemental retirement plans
• Flexible work schedules
• Service that may qualify the successful candidate for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager