Director, Public Policy

Qualtrics • Chicago, IL

16h • $153,000 - $186,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Public Policy serves as the primary expert monitoring, interpreting, and responding to the evolving healthcare policy landscape. The role leads efforts to identify regulatory trends, analyze reporting requirements—including CAHPS, quality, safety, and value-based payment models—and evaluate their impact on product strategy and client operations. The Director serves as the company liaison to government and industry bodies such as CMS, NQF, and AHRQ, develops corporate positions, drafts public comment letters, and advocates for the company and its healthcare clients.

The position is part of Product Management and Enterprise Strategy and works across Product Management, Sales, Marketing, and Operations. It delivers policy updates to client executives, represents the company at industry events, and directs the public policy team, including Policy Analysts and Senior Regulatory Data Analysts. Responsibilities also include overseeing research projects, performance goals, department budgets, and strategic alignment. The role involves approximately 25% travel and follows a hybrid work model, with three office days per week and the rest of the week available to work from another location.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in health policy, regulatory affairs, or a related healthcare industry role.
• Demonstrated experience developing corporate position statements and drafting official comment letters for rulemaking.
• Bachelor’s degree in Health Policy, Public Health, Business, or a related field.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with proven executive presence.
• Ability to navigate a matrixed corporate environment and effectively lead direct reports.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and interpret developments across the healthcare policy landscape to inform product, marketing, operational, and executive strategy.
• Analyze developments in CAHPS, quality reporting, and value-based payment programs, including their implications for client operations and product strategy.
• Serve as the primary organizational liaison to CMS, NQF, AHRQ, and related government, industry, and public policy entities.
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships and advocate for business and client interests.
• Develop corporate positions and draft, review, and submit official comment letters and position statements for rulemaking and requests for information.
• Produce regulatory updates for clients and present policy trends at client meetings and industry events.
• Communicate policy updates to C-suite client executives and represent the company as a speaker at industry events.
• Partner with Product Management, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to identify strategic opportunities and guide product enhancements.
• Direct, coach, and manage the public policy team, including Policy Analysts and Senior Regulatory Data Analysts.
• Guide research projects, annual performance goals, department budgets, and strategic goal alignment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Executive leadership development opportunities, professional association involvement, and career growth.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.
• Wellness reimbursement.
• Mental health benefits.
• Potential sign-on bonus and restricted stock units as part of an employment offer.

What This Job Offers

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