Director, Government Affairs

Job Type

Full-time

Description

The Director, Government Affairs is responsible for helping lead MGMA’s advocacy strategy, advocating before Congress and the Administration, overseeing MGMA’s portfolio of federal policy issues, managing liaison initiatives within the MGMA membership, and managing government affairs department relationships with MGMA member constituency groups. As a lobbyist, you will represent MGMA regarding current and proposed health care legislation and regulations, medical group business needs, and the health care environment, focusing on the sustainability and viability of physician group practices as a key part of the U.S healthcare system.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a principal lobbyist before Congress and the Administration.
• Represent MGMA at congressional hearings, federal agency meetings, and healthcare policy events to maintain subject matter expertise, develop relationships with stakeholders, and promote MGMA’s legislative and regulatory agenda.
• Proactively develop and oversee federal advocacy strategies regarding current and proposed health care legislation/regulations, medical group practice needs, and the health care business environment. This includes:
  • In-person meetings with congressional/administration offices.
  • Drafting letters in support or opposition that provide feedback on legislative/regulatory initiatives.
  • Collaborating with other stakeholder groups to clarify or refine policy positions, ensuring MGMA positions are incorporated into federal policies.
• Identify, research, and analyze proposed regulations designed to address health care disparities on which MGMA should formally comment.
• Draft letters and public comments to administrative officials either supporting or seeking clarification/expressing concern over new regulatory policies and develop analyses for dissemination to members and internal staff.
• Identify and implement strategies and tactics to achieve association advocacy goals.
• Speak with press regarding various health policy issues.
• Give presentations on advocacy issues at MGMA national and state conferences as well as other internal and external constituencies.
• Assist the SVP of Government Affairs in the overall management of MGMA’s government affairs department in Washington, DC.
• Build and foster relationships with congressional and administrative staff/officials, industry stakeholders, and advocate on federal issues.
• Represent the government affairs department as a member of the MGMA director team in meetings and other association activities.
• Represent Government Affairs on internal enterprise workgroups and cross-departmental collaborative initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties:

This role reports to the SVP, Government Affairs and directly manages the government affairs department Associate Directors in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include:

• Interviewing, hiring, and training employees.
• Planning, assigning, and directing work including goal setting.
• Appraising performance, rewarding, and disciplining employees.
• Addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of Medicare Part B, physician reimbursement, HIPAA, health information technology, value-based payment, and other key policy issues impacting medical group practices.
• Strong knowledge of the healthcare industry and physician practice operations.
• Deep understanding of political, federal legislative, and regulatory processes.
• Understanding of traditional and new media outlets.
• Strong spokesperson skills including presentation and speechmaking abilities.
• Exemplary writing skills for various mediums.
• Ability to consistently promote, support, and act in a manner in support of MGMA’s mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and respond to unpredictable daily requests.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively and adapt to changing priorities.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to understand complex regulations and legislation.
• Ability to see the “big picture” and connect the dots across the Association and broader industry.
• Ability to respond calmly to stressful and sensitive situations; reacts well under pressure.
• Ability to work within environments in which confidentiality is key.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including relationship building, rapport, and persuasiveness.
• Political acumen.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare policy, political science, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree in healthcare policy, a related field, or a Juris Doctorate is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Seven (7) or more years of experience in government/government relations, advocacy, and provider-related healthcare policy is required.
• Experience working for Congress, federal agencies, or provider associations is strongly preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Additional Requirements/Licenses/Certifications:

• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Working Environment:

• Work is generally performed in an indoor, professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required.
• Will need to attend MGMA, member, outside associations’, state, and federal government healthcare forums and conferences in various locations around the United States on a regular basis.

Physical Activities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees in this role to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to successfully interact and accurately exchange information using the following verbal and non-verbal communication skills critical to expressing oneself and conducting professional interactions on behalf of the business:

• Ability to read, write, and edit.
• Ability to converse, discuss, and convey.
• Interactive engagement with software applications, computer graphics, and the ability to conduct internet research.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to successfully navigate scenarios requiring the following observational abilities:

• Ability to perceive, identify, and recognize.
• Ability to detect, determine, discern, and judge.
• Ability to assess, estimate, and compare.

This is a largely sedentary role, so the employee must be able to remain in a sedentary position while focusing for extended periods of time throughout the workday. The position also requires occasional movement inside the office to access file cabinets, printers, etc. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to successfully navigate scenarios requiring the following operational abilities:

• Ability to operate a PC/keyboard and other office productivity equipment.
• Ability to position oneself to traverse/navigate around a typical office setting.
• Ability to pull/push, lift, open/close, grasp/manipulate, and transport up to 10 lbs.

Salary Description:

$153,550 – $216,895

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