Vice President, Advocacy and Government Relations - MercyOne

Trinity Health • Des Moines, IA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, this highly visible executive leadership role serves as the primary advocacy and government relations strategist for Trinity Health's Iowa Region. The Vice President will work directly with regional executives, policymakers, regulators, and healthcare industry leaders to shape public policy and advance initiatives that strengthen healthcare access and improve community health outcomes. This is a unique opportunity to influence healthcare legislation and reimbursement strategy while serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
The Vice President Advocacy & Government Relations will develop, implement, manage, adjust, and report on the advocacy plan. Plan will include state and federal priorities for legislative and regulatory advocacy, Regional Health Ministry leader engagement and lobbyist coordination. Works closely with RHM CEO, ministry Presidents, regional leadership team, board members, and Trinity Health System Office to develop regulatory and legislative positions, advance policy priorities, build effective relationships, collaborate with like-minded groups, engage in education, inspire engagement and facilitate effective grassroots advocacy. Works with RHM and Trinity Health leaders to develop and implement government reimbursement strategies. Becomes a trusted policy resource for federal and state leaders. Works with RHM CEO and regional leadership team to build the regional Trinity Health brand with policymakers and other influencers. Identifies and presents best practices with Trinity Health System Office and Advocacy Leaders in other Trinity Health regions.

Requirements

• Thorough and in-depth knowledge and understanding of developing and managing advocacy initiatives and state legislative and administrative processes (preferably in the state of Iowa) as normally obtained through a Bachelor’s degree in public policy, healthcare, law, or related field, along with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant and progressive experience in state or federal advocacy with a health care organization, or in legislative, regulatory, or political activities.
• Strong personal presence: ability to educate others on broader issues, motivate others to act through strong written and communications skills, and networking skills to influence targeted constituencies.
• Project management skills required to: implement advocacy plan, coordinate advocacy efforts, build coalitions, coordinate with hospital associations, and facilitate relationships with ministry leaders and policymakers.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of the Catholic Church’s teachings on social justice and healthcare.
• Must possess a personal presence that is characterized by a sense of honesty, integrity and caring with the ability to inspire and motivate others to promote the philosophy, mission, vision, goals and values of Trinity Health.
• Must be comfortable operating in a collaborative, shared leadership environment.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, manage, adjust, and report on the advocacy plan, including state and federal priorities for legislative and regulatory advocacy, Regional Health Ministry leader engagement and lobbyist coordination.
• Develop regulatory and legislative positions, advance policy priorities, build effective relationships, collaborate with like-minded groups, engage in education, inspire engagement and facilitate effective grassroots advocacy.
• Develop and implement government reimbursement strategies.
• Serve as a trusted policy resource for federal and state leaders.
• Build the regional Trinity Health brand with policymakers and other influencers.
• Identify and present best practices with Trinity Health System Office and Advocacy Leaders in other Trinity Health regions.
• Develop a biennial, regional advocacy strategic plan, including efforts to increase the overall visibility and influence of Trinity Health as well as tactics for advancing legislative and regulatory priorities at local, state and federal level.
• Drive public policy change that will further RHM's priority strategic aims.
• Engage in regional strategy development as a member of RHM leadership team.
• Routinely report progress to RHM CEO, board members, regional leaders and Trinity Health System Office Advocacy.
• Develop and maintain relationships with state and federal legislators and executive branch leaders and support ministry leaders with their relationships.
• Serve as a state-level lobbyist for Trinity Health in state.
• Manage professional multi-client lobby firm(s) to accomplish advocacy goals.
• Analyze select state legislative and regulatory proposals for their likely impact on Trinity Health and recommend positions to be taken based on the organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategic directions.
• Develop engagement plans and customized resources for RHM CEO, board members, and other regional leaders.
• Lead coalition building and collaborations.
• Organize annual regional ministry Advocacy Day.
• Convene and provide learning opportunities for ministry Advocacy Liaisons.
• Track and monitor relevant health policy and regulatory issues.
• Provide thought leadership to state hospital associations and other relevant associations, and coordinate engagement strategies including participation in their annual lobby days.
• Achieve digital advocacy participation goals and collaborate with Trinity Health System Office and RHM Marketing / Communications.
• Identify, share and further best practices with Trinity Health System Office and Regional Advocacy Leaders in other Trinity Health states.
• Develop and manage annual advocacy budget, allocate and redirect resources based on key strategies.
• Maintain a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations, Trinity Health’s Organizational Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, as well as other policies and procedures to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical and professional behavior.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

What This Job Offers

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