Associate Director – State Policy & Advocacy

Description

Are you someone who is:

Collaborative: Works through collaboration and teamwork to create grassroots activities that support the organization’s goals.

Coalition Builder: Able to work with key healthcare policymakers, including members of legislative committees with jurisdiction over healthcare, as well as the Departments of Insurance and other state agencies and executive departments tasked with overseeing state healthcare programs.

A Strong Communicator: Able to translate complex policy issues into useful information for key constituents, including patient advocates.

Every member of the government affairs team is hands-on and is able to see the direct results of their efforts. Join the team and grow professionally while making a difference in the lives of people living with kidney disease.

At AKF, we embrace diversity and emphasize the importance of working together as a staff to continue making the organization a great place to work.

Associate Director of State Policy and Advocacy

The Associate Director of State Policy and Advocacy supports the Senior Director of State Policy and Advocacy and AKF’s Government Affairs department with the development and implementation of state-level public policy efforts on behalf of the organization. This includes the initiation of state legislation and regulations to support and improve policies for kidney disease patients and organ donors, and, where needed, assisting the Senior Director of State Policy and Advocacy in efforts to combat bills that threaten to erode the care and access to care for kidney disease patients.

The Associate Director of State Policy and Advocacy must be an excellent communicator, both written and verbal, and able to translate complex health policy issues for lawmakers, regulators, American Kidney Fund (AKF) ambassadors and advocates, patients, stakeholders, and AKF employees.

Essential Functions

State Government Advocacy

• Develop working relationships with state lawmakers, state agencies, stakeholders, and advocates to promote AKF’s state public policy agenda. This includes working with key healthcare policymakers, patient advocacy organizations, state insurance commissioners, and other state agencies and staffers tasked with overseeing state healthcare programs.
• Understand health policy and be able to strongly and effectively communicate AKF positions on issues such as charitable premium assistance, transplant and living kidney donors, Medigap, and other issues of importance to AKF and people with kidney disease.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Office of Government Affairs to develop grassroots action plans that strategically engage AKF patient-advocates to achieve desired state policy outcomes.
• Monitor activity in state legislatures and state agencies regarding issues affecting people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Organizational Support

• Represent AKF at conferences such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), and the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL).
• Develop and maintain internal tracking documents and track external legislator correspondence.
• Write and send testimony, comment letters, and action alerts on behalf of AKF.
• Communicate effectively and work closely with colleagues in the AKF Office of Government Affairs and other AKF colleagues, as well as the AKF Advocacy Network.

Other

• Out-of-town travel – 20% of position.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 4 – 5 years of relevant experience in a similar role.
• College degree required.
• Advocacy and state health policy development and advocacy experience required, with specific knowledge of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and health insurance issues preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
• Experience with Quorum and Phone2Action is a plus.
• Must have excellent writing, interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Excellent online research skills.
• Proficient project management skills.
• Must be well-organized with strong attention to detail, excellent proofreading skills, and a process-driven, strategic mindset.
• Able to work independently and within a team framework.
• Ability to track and coordinate multiple projects and complete work in a timely manner.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with a high level of integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to be highly flexible.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Ability to lift 20 pounds.
• Ability to work weekends or evenings as required.

Work Environment

AKF offers a hybrid work schedule with employees working in the office 1-4 days per month and teleworking the rest of the time.

Employee Benefits

In addition to your competitive salary, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal days; health, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance and disability coverage; and a generous matching 403(b) retirement plan, we offer:

• Culture: We ensure our team knows how much they are valued through our Quality Work Environment (QWE) Task Force and employee-led recognition and social events throughout the year.
• Compressed Work Week: Start the weekend early with shorter workdays on Fridays – closing at 3 p.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day and 2 p.m. in the summer.
• Flexibility: Employees work from home most of the time, with 1-4 days a month in the office.
• Clear Expectations: You’ll know what you need to do to succeed; annual raises and bonuses for all employees are based on your performance.
• Location: Convenient location within walking distance to the popular Pike & Rose shopping center.
• Parking: Enjoy an underground parking garage with monthly costs covered by AKF. Metro subsidies are provided for those who do not drive.
• Dress Code: Business casual during the week and casual Fridays.

Learn more here