Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy

The Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy develops, coordinates and implements government affairs strategies to advance Central Health's mission and strategic priorities. The Director also assists Central Health affiliated organizations, CommUnityCare Health Centers and Sendero Health Plans, with their government affairs strategies.

This position entails a deep awareness and comprehension of healthcare programs, policies, and local community issues aligned with Central Health's mission and priorities. Responsibilities include developing government affairs strategies, providing counsel to the Deputy Administrator and Executives on government affairs issues, and closely monitoring legislative bodies, ordinances, policies, and programs that affect the organization. This position requires proactive analysis to identify potential risks and opportunities, as well as maintaining strong relationships and ongoing communication with government officials and staff across all levels and branches. Additionally, overseeing government affairs and external affairs staff is crucial for effectively implementing strategic initiatives.

This position reports to the Deputy Administrator and will lead & coordinate a cross-functional team supporting government affairs activities and healthcare policy analysis.

• Leads in developing and coordinating the government affairs plan, strategies and tactics, under general direction of the Deputy Administrator and in collaboration with government affairs and external affairs-involved team members. Where possible, secures favorable public policy, agency rules, funding, and partnerships.
• Guides and manages government affairs and external affairs staff and ensures successful implementation of government affairs deliverables necessary to achieve the mission and strategic priorities of Central Health. Also, leads government affairs and legislative workgroup meetings which include ad hoc members from other departments, and as appropriate, strategically coordinates and delegates activities to workgroup members.
• Monitors policymaking and rulemaking at the local, state, and federal level for changes that may impact the Central Health System and population it serves. Proactively analyzes information and identifies key policy, program, and funding risks, opportunities and recommendations. Informs and advises the Deputy Administrator and Executives on government affairs matters that may impact the organization and its affiliates and provides recommended response as needed.
• Maintains proactive relationship-building, engagement, and collaboration with government and community partners to maintain awareness of matters that may affect the Central Health System and the people it serves; and proactively communicates information about Central Health and its programs.
• Initiates regular communication with elected officials and their staff and responds to requests for information in a timely manner. Meets with elected & other government officials and their staff as necessary.
• Prepares Executive team members for meetings and communication with elected officials by anticipating issues and questions that may arise during conversations, working with relevant staff to draft key talking points, preparing slide decks and gathering back-up information as needed.
• Represents the Central Health Enterprise in policy and advocacy organizational meetings as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Knowledge of
• A deep understanding of the healthcare industry and the political and public policy landscape that affects it, including legislation and policies affecting healthcare for underserved populations.
• The activities and operations of governmental bodies and agencies at either the state, federal, or local level.
• The techniques of advocacy, research and impact analysis, and rulemaking processes.
• Open Records and Meetings Act laws and guidelines governing information disclosure and participation.
• Skill in
• Thinking strategically Identifying problems, implementing solutions, and evaluating outcomes to redirect efforts as needed.
• Empowering others to adopt new approaches or perspectives.
• Observing and evaluating the outcomes of a proposed solution to identify lessons learned or redirect efforts.
• Thinking critically, using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
• Observing, receiving and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing long range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve these objectives.
• Communication Articulating complex concepts or ideas effectively to diverse audiences.
• Active listening Paying attention to others' perspectives and asking appropriate questions.
• Actively looking for ways to help people while establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Working effectively within team environments.
• Ability to
• Achieve desired results and mitigate threats.
• Anticipate challenges and appropriately prepare for them.
• Respond promptly to requests for information or assistance.
• Apply inductive reasoning to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions to come up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together.
• Negotiate complex and sensitive issues.
• Quickly grasp new ideas and synthesize them into a current knowledge base to determine their impact.
• Foster and sustain productive relationships.
  

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Master's Degree in Public Affairs, Public Policy, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Business, or a related field -OR- Juris Doctor (J.D.) preferred.
  
  
  

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 7 years progressively responsible experience in government affairs related to healthcare issues, or comparable experience required.
• 2 years experience managing people required.