Director, State Affairs

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Regional leader of Humana’s state advocacy and government engagement function. Ensures consistent approach to strategic advocacy and state government outreach across the region. Coordinates work of external political consultants, directly accountable for execution on legislative, regulatory, and public sector business development advocacy. Represents Humana at national and regional state regulatory, Governor, executive agencies, and intergovernmental organizations.

Additionally, serves as the Voice/Face of Humana in priority states (OK, KS, MO, and NE), communicating core advocacy, policy, and business messages to state officials (including Governor’s Office, Medicaid, legislators, regulatory agency leaders, attorneys general as appropriate, and related political appointees), and strategically helps to establish and maintain relationships to support Humana’s advocacy and business objectives and goals, especially for our state/local government procurement opportunities.

The Director, State Affairs influences public and government policy at all state government levels. Involves the advocacy of an interest that is affected, actually or potentially, by the decisions of government leaders.

Responsibilities Include

• Partner with Humana Healthy Horizons to directly support Humana’s SoonerSelect Medicaid contract.
• Serve as Humana’s regional leader for state advocacy and government engagement in OK, KS, MO, and NE. Engage directly with state government (Medicaid Department, Governor’s office, legislature, executive agency leadership, Departments of Insurance, Departments of Health/Health & Human Services, state boards, and state procurement agencies).
• Serve as Humana’s liaison with state/local leaders, working on behalf of and in coordination with state market leaders (Medicare, Medicaid, and specialty insurance, pharmacy, primary care, and home health) as well as state-based business functions (Law Dept., Regulatory and Compliance, Finance, Corp Communications) on strategic priority matters (legislative, regulatory, and public sector business development).
• Ensure that market and functional leaders receive timely updates on ongoing and emerging issues material to Humana business goals and objectives.
• Implement/advance state strategic advocacy and relationship outreach to advance Humana’s public policy agenda, product and growth initiatives, and overall public sector business development objectives.
• Manage and direct the work of state-retained consultants, state trade associations (as appropriate), and communications with state policy and regulatory officials on behalf of the company.
• Maintain legislative monitoring on priority issues (working with retained consultants).
• Monitor/engage in legislative and regulatory matters identified as Humana priorities and position the company to successfully influence the development of priority legislative and regulatory activity to create business opportunities and mitigate operational and/or competitive challenges.
• Facilitate public sector business development relationship outreach to key state and local officials while keeping the businesses informed about relevant public policy and emerging state and local procurement opportunities.
• Identify/manage opportunities for ongoing and targeted engagements with state policy officials (including site visits), underscoring Humana’s value proposition and role as a solutions-oriented “thought leader.”
• Develop strategies for engagements with traditional and non-traditional alliances/organizations to advance the company’s advocacy and reputation development agenda.
• Represent Humana at regional and national legislative, regulatory, and other intergovernmental organizations in coordination with the State Affairs policy team.

Use Your Skills to Make an Impact

Required Qualifications:

• Candidate will need to live in the Oklahoma City, OK area.
• Minimum of ten or more years of professional experience in state government, government affairs, campaigns, health policy, and/or advocacy roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant degree area, such as public policy, communications, health policy, political science, or business.
• Proven ability to create and implement advocacy campaigns directly relevant to state government, including a clear record of achieving short and long-term milestones as it relates to advancing policy, political, and/or advocacy goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, and organizational skills, including the ability to write well under deadline pressures.
• Keen understanding of how the legislative and regulatory process, along with the general state political/public policy environment, impacts business organizations.
• Experience working in a highly matrixed organization in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledgeable about Medicaid programs, especially Oklahoma Medicaid.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree

Additional Information

• Solid understanding of relevant policy and regulatory issues and the ability to translate complex issues in a clear, concise manner to business leaders and policy team (technical and non-technical audiences).
• Experience working in a matrixed organization, with proven ability to work collaboratively through various departments and functional areas, promoting a culture of proactive teamwork.
• Strong conceptual and creative thinker with an ability to identify trends and interrelationships.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the polish, poise, and executive presence that will ensure effective interaction with senior and executive-level audiences.
• Strong creative problem-solving, negotiation, and multi-tasking skills in time-sensitive settings.
• Highly-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong working relationships, internally and externally.

Work-At-Home Requirements

WAH requirements:

• Must have the ability to provide a high-speed DSL or cable modem for a home office.
• Associates or contractors who live and work from home in the state of California will be provided payment for their internet expense.
• A minimum standard speed for optimal performance of 25×10 (25mbps download x 10mbps upload) is required.
• Satellite and Wireless Internet service is NOT allowed for this role.
• A dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI/HIPAA information.

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