Director, State Government Relations & Public Affairs

# Company Description

## About Covista

Covista is America’s largest healthcare educator, serving more than 97,000 students and supported by a community of 385,000 alumni across five accredited institutions. Through personalized, tech-enabled education powered by 10,000 faculty and colleagues, Covista expands access to healthcare careers and addresses the U.S. healthcare workforce shortage at scale. Covista is the parent company of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Chamberlain University, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Walden University.

Our colleagues come from a wide range of backgrounds—business, academia, healthcare, government and nonprofits—and are part of a culture where doing exceptional work and making a meaningful difference for students and society aren’t separate goals; they’re one and the same. This means creating an environment where colleagues can develop new skills, build careers that match their ambitions, and see the tangible impact of their work on healthcare education and workforce development.

Colleagues who deliver results and embrace new tools to work smarter are valued for their contributions. But what makes working at Covista distinctive is our impact. Our faculty and colleagues don’t just support healthcare education—they shape it. This isn’t abstract purpose work. It’s solving real problems for real people in real communities while advancing careers.

We operate on a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week (Monday–Thursday). This approach enhances creativity, innovation, communication, and relationship-building, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

For more information, visit covista.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

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# Job Description

## Opportunity at a Glance

This role sits within Covista’s Corporate Affairs team and reports to the Senior Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs. You’ll lead Covista’s state-level government relations strategy—owning the relationships, managing the in-market resources, and driving the proactive policy engagement that allows Covista’s institutions to operate, expand, and compete.

This is not a reactive role. You’ll be expected to anticipate and navigate fast-paced news, legislative and regulatory environments, build the political conditions for Covista’s strategic priorities before they’re at risk, and serve as a proactive counselor to institutional and segment leaders and other internal stakeholders needing to navigate state- and local-level decisions.

You’ll work across a portfolio of priority states while managing a network of contract lobbyists and building direct relationships with state officials, legislative staff, industry associations, and healthcare system partners. As part of an integrated Government Relations and Public Affairs function, you’ll bring to life the on-the-ground impact that Covista’s institutions, workforce partnerships, and Foundation partners have in the communities where they operate.

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# Responsibilities

## State Legislative and Regulatory Strategy

– Own and drive Covista’s state government relations strategy across priority markets
– Develop and maintain a proactive state legislative agenda—identifying opportunities to advance Covista’s interests before issues materialize
– Monitor state legislative sessions, regulatory proceedings, and executive agency actions across multiple states; ensure no significant development reaches leadership as a surprise
– Translate state policy developments into clear, actionable intelligence for segment and institutional leaders
– Partner closely with Legal and Regulatory Affairs on state licensing, authorization, and compliance matters

## Lobbyist and Resource Management

– Manage Covista’s network of contract lobbyists across priority states—setting direction, ensuring accountability, and aligning efforts with strategic priorities
– Conduct regular lobbyist performance assessments and recommend investment or restructuring
– Build and steward direct relationships with state legislators, staff, governors’ offices, agencies, and healthcare partners
– Identify opportunities for Covista to proactively engage in state policy conversations through testimony, coalitions, or direct outreach

## Segment and Institutional Partnership

– Serve as a key GR partner to Chamberlain University and Walden University segment leadership
– Connect institutional leaders to the policy environment in their markets
– Partner with business development colleagues on new initiatives, providing political groundwork and stakeholder engagement

## Narrative and Public Affairs Integration

– Ensure state-level advocacy is supported by a proactive public affairs strategy
– Leverage the Covista Foundation’s programming and partnerships as assets in state relationships
– Deploy Covista thought leadership materials to highlight healthcare workforce shortages
– Represent Covista at state-level legislative events, political functions, and industry convenings

## State Contributions, Compliance, Ethics

– Oversee administration of Covista’s state political contributions operations
– Ensure compliance with state and federal ethics requirements, campaign finance reporting, and lobbying disclosure regulations
– Manage deadlines, budgets, and coordination with compliance firms and internal stakeholders

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# Qualifications

– 10+ years of experience in state government relations, public affairs, or legislative affairs
– Experience managing contract lobbyists across multiple states
– Track record of proactive state legislative engagement
– Experience in healthcare, higher education, or regulated industries preferred
– Familiarity with state student financial aid frameworks, clinical education policy, or distance education authorization a plus
– Experience advising senior leaders on government affairs
– Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
– Ability to manage multiple workstreams and urgent matters with sound judgment
– Experience with state compliance and disclosure reporting

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# Skills

– Deep knowledge of state legislative processes
– Strong relationship-building with state officials, associations, and healthcare leaders
– Strong political instincts
– Strong project management and cross-functional coordination
– High adaptability and urgency in fast-moving environments
– Ability to translate complex policy into actionable guidance
– Strong consultant management
– Exceptional written communication
– Comfort operating in an integrated Corporate Affairs environment
– Familiarity with legislative intelligence platforms (e.g., Quorum)

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# Additional Information

In support of pay transparency laws, the expected salary range for this position is **$100,171.61–$181,034.70**. Actual pay will vary based on experience, location, certifications, market factors, and departmental budgets.

Covista offers a robust suite of benefits including:

– Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
– 401k with 6% employer match
– Flexible Time Off (FTO)
– 12 paid holidays

More information: [https://careers.covista.com/benefits]

You are also eligible for an annual incentive program based on individual and organizational performance.

Apply here