Director of State Affairs

Job Description

Become a champion for children’s health with a career at CHA. We serve with purpose and passion to help 220 member children’s hospitals improve kids’ health and well-being.

Where You’ll Work

This position is based in our Washington, D.C. office. We leverage a hybrid working model working three days in the office, with two days optional remote work.

What You’ll Do

The Children’s Hospital Association Public Affairs team is growing. This new position will report to the Vice President of Policy and lead state-focused outreach, engagement, and policy in support of CHA’s advocacy priorities.

• Provides strategic leadership on state policy engagement to support children’s hospitals and CHA’s federal policy and advocacy.
• Engages across CHA to gather information on state policy opportunities and risks; utilizes this to inform our policy and advocacy work and CHA’s work more broadly.
• Liaison with national state organizations (NGA, NCSL, NASHP, NAMD, etc.), collaborating with counterparts at sister organizations/associations, children’s hospital government relations teams, and other senior leaders, including state children’s hospital associations.
• Partners with Federal Affairs, Policy, and External Affairs to identify opportunities to engage with and inform the work of the national organizations and their state members, inform CHA’s work, and highlight issues with federal policymakers and the media. Brings in both internal and external content experts to work with the national state organizations when needed.
• Develops effective strategies to communicate and disseminate relevant state policy information to different audiences in CHA, including children’s hospitals executives from GR leads to CEOs, and national state partners.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with hospitals, particularly with government relations staff, while working with senior hospital leadership and other children’s hospital experts, to engage hospital participation in coordinated efforts to advance policy and advocacy priorities at the federal level and to share best practices across children’s hospitals. This position does not involve direct state-level lobbying.
• Lead point person with state children’s hospital associations, collaborating across the public affairs department, to help advance CHA federal priorities and strengthen state-level information sharing.
• Develops, organizes, and leads platforms for hospital engagement on key state policy issues, including workgroups, webinars, written requests for feedback/input, and other avenues.
• Responds to hospital information requests related to state policy issues and actions, assists with the preparation of public comments on proposed rules when appropriate, to highlight relevant state-level impacts or actions, or contacts federal agencies or commission staff as appropriate.
• Serves as a key resource on state affairs issues.

Experience and Skills

What You’ll Bring to CHA

• Bachelor’s degree required in public policy or a related field; a master’s degree in policy or a public affairs-related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience, including relevant state experience, in a state government or similar state-focused position.
• Extensive knowledge and experience with federal/state government, legislative relations, or grassroots advocacy.
• Ability to work with public policymakers and staff of all ideologies.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating to advance policy and advocacy across different stakeholders and external partners.
• Strong research, analytical, organizational, and information management skills.
• Ability to pursue strategic goals, including developing/implementing a state affairs strategy.

Our Perks and Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement Savings program with generous company contribution
• Hybrid working model
• Health Savings Account with company contribution
• Wellness program
• Paid time off and personal days
• 8 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• DC Commuter benefits
• And more!

This pay range shown is a guideline. Min: $103,000 Max: $227,000. Compensation is based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, and competencies; compensation is based on the role’s location and is subject to change based on work location.

More About CHA

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

CHA is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization, our membership, the care delivery of children’s hospitals and their communities, and through the federal policymaking environment. With children’s hospitals, we strive to ensure organizational cultures where everyone feels valued and actively participates in the mission of our organizations. Racism stands firmly in the way of improving children’s health. We remain vigilant in our quest for a diverse and inclusive community and in standing against racism and discrimination wherever it exists.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Learn more here