Director, Federal Advocacy and Government Relations

### Description

Under the direction of the Vice President of Federal Advocacy and Government Relations, the Director assists with implementation of the Academy’s federal legislative and regulatory agenda to secure enactment of favorable policies that promote optimal patient access to the quality medical care provided by physician associates (PAs) and that advance public health and other health policies adopted by the AAPA House of Delegates.

The Director represents AAPA on Capitol Hill and before federal agencies; advocates on issues of importance to AAPA and the PA profession; and builds and maintains strong relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, agency representatives, and allied organizations and coalitions. The Director assists with the Academy’s policy agenda through research, writing, and messaging in response to legislative and administrative initiatives.

### Duties and Responsibilities

– Lobbies Congress and the Administration, maintains and builds relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agency staff to further the Academy’s objectives.
– Assists with development and implementation of strategy to accomplish AAPA legislative and regulatory goals.
– Assists in identifying and prioritizing issues of importance or concern to the Academy, tracks and monitors federal legislative activity as it relates to goals and objectives of AAPA and prepares analysis in assigned areas.
– Drafts testimony, legislative fact sheets, letters, comments, and other materials to support the Academy’s positions.
– Attends and reports on hearings, briefings, and meetings relevant to the Academy’s interests.
– Responds to inquiries on federal legislative and regulatory issues from AAPA members, AAPA constituent chapters, and congressional staff.
– Works with the Director of Grassroots/PAC on PAC initiatives, campaign strategy, and recruitment of donors in person at conferences and other AAPA-sponsored meetings.
– Represents the Academy before Members of Congress at PAC events.
– Works with AAPA’s communications team on relevant press releases, news stories, social media posts, articles, etc.
– Represents the Academy and broader Advocacy team with coalitions and external stakeholders and attends events on behalf of the Academy.
– Assists the Vice President, Federal Advocacy and Government Relations in informing Academy senior leadership and staff on federal issues affecting PAs.
– Assists with the organization and execution of AAPA congressional Hill days, where PAs come to Washington to advocate for the profession.
– Performs other duties as assigned.

### Qualifications

– 8-10 years of responsible professional experience with 5 years of responsible professional experience working on federal legislative and/or regulatory issues in the government or in a government affairs capacity (healthcare experience preferred).
– Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.
– Must exercise nonpartisan/bipartisan professional political judgment in advocating for AAPA’s positions.
– Ability to exercise strategic judgment and meet short deadlines.
– Must demonstrate creativity and persistence in using multiple approaches to produce the desired outcome.
– Outstanding organizational, analytical, critical thinking, verbal and written skills and abilities.
– Excellent persuasive interpersonal skills.
– Dedicated worker with a high energy level.
– Works well independently and as a member of a team.
– Ability and willingness to frequently work evenings and attend early morning breakfasts, evening receptions, and dinners as well as occasional overnight and weekend travel.

### Location

Position can be performed remotely within 15 miles of the United States Capitol or may work out of AAPA’s national headquarters in Alexandria, VA, and requires frequently attending in-person meetings in the Washington, DC area.

The American Academy of PAs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, and any other classification protected by law.

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