JOB SUMMARY

The Director, Government Relations, interacts with Congress and the Executive Branch to promote CHA's Advocacy Agenda and works with other CHA staff to coordinate the development of the advocacy and government affairs strategies for the Association.  This position exercises a leadership role in developing and implementing CHA’s legislative initiatives.  The position serves as a spokesperson for the association's advocacy and public policy positions, and as one of the primary representatives of the Advocacy and Public Policy department to Congress, the Administration, and other organizations and coalitions on issues affecting the CHA membership.  This position is a key role in communicating CHA’s advocacy priorities.  Some travel is required (approximately 20%).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and maintain high visibility and good working relationships with the Administration and Congressional staff, key government agencies, and other interest groups to promote a high profile for CHA
• Track legislation and regulations at the federal and (where appropriate) state level, maintain a system for monitoring the progress of legislation that affects CHA members.
• Organize comprehensive and informative legislative visits and presentations
• Maintain appropriate databases, such as inventories of established key legislative contacts with CHA membership
• Assist in the development of CHA Advocacy Agenda and annual legislative plan; write analysis of various policy issues of interest to CHA; prepare issue papers and briefs on selected topics
• Work with key CHA member advocacy staff to develop and implement CHA legislative strategies
• Analyze federal and (where appropriate) state issues that are likely to have an impact on the Catholic health ministry
• Contribute to other ministry area priorities and focus areas by leveraging government relations exposure and experience
• Work with outside legislative consultants, and serve as a liaison to CHA external policy consultants
• Foster teamwork among Advocacy staff members, and between the Advocacy staff and other departments of CHA to accomplish the members' work
• Work with Member Services to share information about changes in the ministry and/or government relations contacts, which may be tracked in CHA's member database
• Coordinate work with Director, Advocacy
• Support Advocacy & Public Policy initiatives as necessary

HOME OFFICE LOCATION
Washington, DC, with the ability to work from home, subject to CHA’s policies on flexible work arrangements. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, or public administration, or equivalent work experience. An advanced degree in public policy, law, public administration, or a related advocacy field is desirable. 
• 5+ years’ experience working in one of the following areas or a combination of these areas: congressional office/committee, federal agency, government affairs department of a membership or trade association, law firm.
• Knowledge of congressional legislative and state/federal regulatory processes.
• Understanding of Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA, as well as the legal, financing, and regulatory issues affecting hospitals, health systems, long-term care organizations, and related health providers.
• Highly effective communication and presentation skills, including the ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations to members, senior government officials, board members, and the public, with the desired outcomes of influencing decision-making.
• Strong contracts/working relationships with individuals in Congress, the Administration, and other national organizations in the health field [highly desirable].
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to lead, mentor, and direct staff to accomplish departmental and organizational goals [highly desirable].
• Strong analytical ability necessary to evaluate data and form meaningful conclusions.
• Ability to multitask and flex as necessary.
• Project management experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook)

About Catholic Health Association of the United States

The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), representing more than 600 hospitals and 1,600 long-term care and other health facilities in all 50 states, advances the ministry of the Catholic church in caring for people and communities. Grounded by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Stewardship, and Excellence, CHA team members work collaboratively to bring hope and healing to those we serve as we advocate for health equity and access to care for all. CHA and our members promote a culture of inclusion and belonging that brings together people of diverse faiths and backgrounds in our belief that every person is a treasure, every life a sacred gift, and every human being a unity of body, mind, and spirit. Through our mission and values, we will empower bold change to elevate human flourishing.

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