Director, Federal Government Relations

### WHO WE ARE

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

This position partners with Advocacy Team leadership to develop and implement the Society’s strategy on federal policy. As a registered lobbyist, this position builds relationships and exerts influence on Capitol Hill. The goal is to represent the needs of people living with MS and their families with federal legislators, administration officials, and their staff to ensure federal laws and regulations help people with MS live their best lives. As part of this work, this position engages with the Society’s activist volunteers and collaborates with colleagues across teams to advance public policy addressing the needs of people with MS and the Society’s mission.

This position will be responsible for a defined issue portfolio, serving as the advocacy and policy expert in advancing these issues. The Director, Federal Government Relations will have the ability to work primarily from home, and due to the nature and expectations of the role, we are needing this role to be based locally in Washington, DC, or surrounding areas.

### Essential Functions / Responsibility

**Advocate with Congress and administration officials on policy portfolio**

– Represent the needs of people with MS and their families on Capitol Hill and provide influence through direct lobbying of members of Congress and administration officials.
– Build key relationships with members of Congress and their staff, using persuasive skills to shape federal legislation and regulations to improve the day-to-day lives of people affected by MS.
– Provide coverage and monitoring for issues relating to healthcare coverage and quality of life issues that impact people affected by MS and partner with leadership to develop related strategies. Additionally, this position participates in the Society’s advocacy strategy and research, analyze and influence federal policy related to accessing affordable high-quality healthcare (private coverage, Medicare, and Medicaid), access to MS medications, long-term services and supports including family caregiving and respite programs.
– Participate in planning and execution of relevant advocacy strategies and tactics, including activities such as briefings for Congressional and Executive Branch staff, visits to Members of Congress, preparing public comments and testimony, and related activities.
– Develop internal and external communications related to these advocacy issues, including congressional testimony, federal action alerts and updates, position papers, and messages for social media.
– Track congressional committee and floor schedules on a weekly basis and work with AVP to determine coverage and that the voice of people affected by MS is represented on Capitol Hill.
– Working with the Director of Regulatory Affairs, contribute to drafting and revising relevant federal regulatory comments.
– Work with Society colleagues across functional areas aligned to these issues to improve strategy and outcomes.
– Partner with state advocacy colleagues to advance cross-jurisdictional issues like Medicaid, respite, and others.

### Build and Engage in Strategic Partnerships

– Serve on national health advocacy coalitions, including at least one leadership role on a key coalition.
– Collaborate with colleagues at partner organizations to develop mutually agreeable policy solutions and advocacy strategies to effectively advance these solutions with the U.S. Congress and federal agencies.
– Coordinate with colleagues on the Navigator Team on emerging or ongoing access issues, health equity, health disparities work, and other issues as necessary.
– Serve as internal and external spokesperson for the Society on issues related to health coverage and issues that impact the daily lives of people affected by MS.

### Engage MS Activists

– Recommend when to strategically activate District Activist Leaders, the Activist Network, and other activists at critical points in the legislative process to more efficiently drive forward the Society’s advocacy goals.
– Identify and foster relationships with MS activists who have personal stories related to improving the health coverage and day-to-day lives of people with MS; ensure these personal stories are utilized to advance policy priorities.
– Engage in the planning and execution of the Society’s annual Public Policy Conference, including content development and training sessions for relevant issues.
– As needed, contribute to the Society’s Activism Advisory Committee by providing updates around the Society’s policy priorities and strategies needed to advance those priorities.

### Team Responsibilities

– Serve as a member of the advocacy leadership and management team.
– Provide overall direction and leadership to identify advocacy staff as needed.
– Contribute to the culture of the Advocacy and Healthcare Access Team.
– Utilize matrix management techniques to foster relationships with local market leaders.
– Collaborate with the Vice President, Advocacy in issues related to the Activism Advisory Committee.
– Collaborate with the AVP, Federal Government Relations on compiling and submitting lobbying reports for the federal team.

### Role Qualifications

– Bachelor’s degree required with preferred education in public policy, political science, law, public health, or related field.
– Minimum of 5 years direct legislative and/or policy experience with an emphasis on healthcare, long-term care, and/or disability policy.
– Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects at once.
– Experience with issue management and advocacy tactics.
– Effective oral and written presentation skills to communicate the position of the Society, write technical responses like support letters and hearing testimony, and effective public speaking.
– Ability to manage volunteers.

### Technical Competencies

– Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
– Knowledge of how to effectively search thomas.gov and the Federal Register.
– Knowledge and experience with legislative tracking tools (e.g., Quorum).

### Compensation & Benefits Info

Estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $76,000 – $90,000 based on our average compensation schedule. Final offers will be based on candidate geographic location and consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package to employees. These benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Educational Reimbursement Plan; Professional Development Assistance; Commuter Benefit Plan; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.

The Society has a career framework that is our foundation of a clear, consistent structure for growth and careers. It is comprised of career bands and career levels, as well as functions and disciplines, that together, capture the Society’s positions and work.

This position is in the Professional career band and a level of 3 (P3).

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.

### APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

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