Vice President of Government Initiatives

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Undue Medical Debt
Vice President of Government Initiatives
Remote (US – anywhere) or Hybrid for NYC metro area (3 days a week in the Long Island City, NY office).

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Undue Medical Debt’s (formerly RIP Medical Debt) mission is to end medical debt and be a source of justice in an unjust healthcare finance system; a unique solution for patient-centered healthcare providers; and a moral force for systemic change. In 2024, they marked their 10th anniversary, having successfully eliminated over $13 billion in medical debts, providing crucial financial relief for more than 8.5 million individuals and families. Recently featured on NPR, the organization proudly received transformative gifts from Mackenzie Scott, a historic grant from New York City, and recognition from many other notable campaigns.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Vice President of Government Initiatives will lead the newly created Government Initiative Department, a key addition necessitated by rapid organizational growth and the expansion of government contracts. This role will involve strategic leadership, negotiation, collaboration with various internal departments, and ensuring the efficient implementation of government contracts while managing complex political dynamics and fostering strong relationships with government officials.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Department Management

• Develop and communicate a strategic vision for the Government Initiatives department, set clear goals, and ensure team alignment with organizational objectives.
• Build and lead the department, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and hands-on support to team members to enhance their skills, knowledge, and overall performance.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including finance and operations, to ensure smooth invoicing, reporting, and contract management processes.
• Assess the department’s workload and resources using data analysis to manage capacity and adjust resources as necessary to meet growing demands.
• Identify and mitigate programmatic and political risks through strategies including contingency planning, stakeholder engagement, and proactive issue resolution.

Government Relations and Contract Management

• Engage with government officials in support of medical debt relief initiatives, aligning government objectives with organizational goals, and shaping supportive policies and legislation through strong, sustained relationships.
• Collaborate with General Counsel on contract negotiations with government entities, ensuring terms are legally sound, operationally feasible and aligned with departmental objectives and the organization’s mission, while facilitating long-term success and scalability.
• Navigate the political landscape by managing key relationships and advocating for program objectives, while adapting strategies to gain support and mitigate risks.
• Maintain a strong, collaborative relationship with General Counsel and other key staff to ensure all legal and regulatory aspects of contracts are managed effectively.

Internal Coordination and Collaboration

• Develop consistent, mission-aligned messaging, in collaboration with VP of Communications, that enhances visibility and credibility, ensuring it resonates with diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with the VP of Program and Policy to integrate local solutions into broader strategies, while building strong relationships with community groups, federal stakeholders, and national leaders to develop strategic partnerships that advance and expand the reach of medical debt relief initiatives.
• Establish regular reporting and facilitate cross-departmental communication to keep leadership and team members informed and aligned on government initiatives.
• Contribute to shaping the research strategy by providing insights on trends and opportunities and collaborate with research teams to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and actionable data.

Process Development and Implementation

• Lead the design and execution of internal processes aimed at streamlining the delivery of contract obligations, including the implementation of a new CRM system to track efforts and metrics.
• Work closely with the COO to design and implement systems and processes that enhance the efficiency of government initiative workflows.
• Establish standardized approaches for reporting and sharing information across the organization.
• Design and implement comprehensive evaluation systems to assess the effectiveness of programs.
• Develop a clear and transparent rubric to guide decision-making processes across the organization.

ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

The ideal candidate will be a thoughtful, dynamic, and motivated individual with strong relationship-building and problem-solving abilities. They should thrive in collaborative environments, working effectively with internal and external teams, and possess excellent communication skills.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years’ experience in government relations, public policy, or a related field, particularly in healthcare, public health, or financial services, especially with government contracts.
• Proven track record of leading and managing teams, with experience in setting strategic vision, mentoring staff, and overseeing departmental operations.
• Ability to thrive while managing multiple projects and relationships.
• Experience navigating complex political landscapes and managing relationships across diverse political environments.
• Strong understanding of contract law and experience in negotiating complex agreements with government entities.
• Demonstrated ability to handle public speaking engagements, media relations, and external representation of the organization.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage and influence government officials, community groups, and internal stakeholders.
• Possesses personal attributes of humility, motivation, self-awareness, pragmatism, and a collaborative spirit, essential for effective leadership and team dynamics.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Commitment to Undue Medical Debt’s mission, vision, and values.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary range for this role is $215,000 – $240,000 commensurate with experience. Please note that the final offer will depend on the candidate’s location, in alignment with the organization’s geographic salary guidelines. Undue Medical Debt provides a suite of competitive benefits including generous PTO, comprehensive insurance (medical, dental, and vision), life insurance, 403(b) with matching, and more.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter AND resume here: Apply.

Undue Medical Debt is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Undue Medical Debt makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.