Director of External Affairs

Overview

This role is responsible for advocacy efforts on behalf of ARH on state or federal-level Healthcare issues.  In partnership with the Chief of Staff, this role will develop a work plan that will include identifying priority issues and executing a state or federal-specific advocacy strategy.  The role will develop important external relationships with state or federal government officials as well as key industry stakeholders and will represent and advocate for ARH’s interests to other external audiences such as industry associations, coalitions, and other state or federal-based policy setting organizations. 

Responsibilities

• Develop the implementation of strategy, relationship development, public policy engagement and overall business advancement initiatives with key state and local, or federal policy makers
• Identify state or federal legislative, executive branch and regulatory proposals and policies impacting ARH’s strategic initiatives
• Partner with External Affairs team to develop ARH’s perspective on new issues and develop and implement strategies to advance ARH’s perspective
• Represent the interest of ARH during the state legislative and regulatory process. This may include activities such as public testimony, amendment negotiations, educational meetings with legislators and staff, and comment letter writing
• Monitor progress of legislative and regulatory issues of interest to ARH
• Develop and implement appropriate strategies and tactics to achieve the desired outcomes through a combination of direct lobbying and legislative coalition building
• Represent the interest of ARH as well as within other industry trade associations (KHA), policy forums and NGOs.
• Build and maintain relationships with ARH client government affairs, compliance, and legal teams.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with high level state legislators, regulators and staff
• Lead state or federal level issue management, coordinating advocacy activities of contract lobbyists and other internal/external stakeholders; work with corporate communications to ensure consistency of messages
• Direct and manage political contributions from ARH’s employee PAC
• Brief senior management on state or federal level developments
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Pharmacy, Healthcare Administration or related area of study, or equivalent combination of education and/or relevant work experience is preferred; HS diploma or GED is required

Minimum Work Experience• Minimum 2 years working with legislators and regulators at the state and/or federal level preferred• Prior experience in clinical, retail, hospital or managed care operations preferred

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities• Deep understanding of the political process with the ability to persuade and influence internal/external stakeholders with multiple and diverse interests• Ability to readily master new health policy issues and identify priorities and positions based on business needs• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including executives• Ability to become established as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on health policy issues• Superior written and oral communication skills