Legislative Relations Manager (WMS3/SPI)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Legislative Relations Manager represents the agency in external engagement on legislation, strategic initiatives, financial issues, and other health policy priorities. Working alongside Executive Leadership, this role helps build and maintain trusted relationships with the authorizing environment, develops proactive legislative engagement strategy and serves as a credible voice on behalf of the agency. Based in Olympia with telework flexibility outside of session, this role is a strong fit for a skilled communicator and strategic thinker with experience in government relations, health policy, or legislative affairs. All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may not be limited to all analyses of core business and processes. The Strategy, Policy, & Innovation division (SPI) of the Health Care Authority (HCA) is statutorily directed to study all state-purchased health care, alternative health care delivery systems and strategies for the procurement of health services, and to coordinate state agency efforts to develop and implement uniform policies across state purchased health care programs. SPI serves as the focal point for coordinating the agency’s strategy, affordability, and health policy efforts. The division is structured to provide expert direction, consultation, and support for these activities. SPI is responsible for driving policy design, development and implementation of health reform, and health transformation activities and program development and refinements for all programs. The Legislative Relations Manager reports to the Special Assistant for Policy and Legislative Affairs and works directly with the Chief Policy Officer and other members of the executive leadership team (ELT) as appropriate. Alongside the Special Assistant for Policy and Legislative Affairs, the position represents the agency in external engagement on legislation, strategic initiatives, financial issues, and other activity. This position builds trust with the authorizing environment through clear, consistent communication on behalf of the agency and director, and will establish relationships with legislative staff, lobbyists, and government relations counterparts. The incumbent will establish and proactively pursue a strategic plan for legislative engagement during the legislative session and support outreach during interim, ensuring a constant and trusted voice on behalf of the HCA's priorities. This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to report onsite and to the capital during legislative session to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.

Requirements

• Master’s or Law degree with preference for competency in a health-related field and three (3) years of the required experience below
• Bachelor's degree in a field identified above, and five (5) years of the required experience below
• Associate degree in a related field and (7) years of the required experience below
• Nine (9) years of the required experience below
• Experience in legislative or similar external relations, demonstrating in-depth knowledge and understanding of the state legislative process and experience with drafting legislation and amendments.
• Demonstrated experience in making presentations to external audiences on challenging policy or budget concepts.
• Broad knowledge of local health care industry; low-income populations; Medicaid/CHIP and other federal laws affecting low-income populations, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and mechanisms to waive federal rules.
• Group facilitation and negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to promote teamwork and lead, coach, and mentor professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize measures and track success.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Strong collaboration and facilitation skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of state and federal health care laws.
• Understanding of state government systems and divisions of power.
• Flexible and open to change.

Nice To Haves

• Two years' experience and work with Medicaid or Behavioral health programs with additional experience in private health care coverage options and delivery systems in general.
• Experience in systems thinking and planning.
• Knowledge of historical context of Washington State Health policymaking and evolution of federal law impacting low-income populations, including Title XIX (Medicaid), Title XXI (CHIP), Title XVIII (Medicare), national health reform and Washington's tribes.
• Knowledge of federal rules, state regulations and state laws pertaining to health care reimbursement policies.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing and implementing agency legislative strategy, including policy and budget priorities.
• Responsible for legislative communications and advocacy on behalf of HCA.
• Leads legislative engagement activities for approximately half of HCA program areas, including strategic planning and responding to legislative requests.
• Drafts legislation and policy papers to assist HCA programs.
• Facilitates stakeholder outreach and engagement in HCA activities, proactively sharing information and responding to inquiries.
• Consults agency executive leadership and recommends actions to be taken on legislative and political issues.
• Consults with agency managers to coordinate the development of the agency’s engagement with the Governor’s Office, OFM, the legislature, other agencies, and external lobbyists.
• Develops subject matter knowledge on the breadth of the agency’s program portfolio.
• Supports legislative affairs in training staff to support bill analysis and legislative report drafting.

Benefits

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• free parking!

What This Job Offers

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