Regional Director, State Government Relations

POSITION SUMMARY

At the direction of the Managing Director of Government Relations and Government Relations Officer, the Regional Directors for state government relations (SGR) will be responsible for managing APA-related issues in their designated states and district branches while interacting with APA member physicians across the United States and the District of Columbia, deeply engaging the relevant State Associations (SAs) and District Branches (DBs) and working closely with other relevant internal and external stakeholders.

This position is one of three Regional Directors in SGR at APA. The SGR team works across all 50 states and the District of Columbia with the SA/DBs to advocate for the legislative advancement of psychiatry, mental health treatment, and other APA priorities, and DB/SA’s legislative priorities. The SGR team also helps coordinate a grassroots ambassador program for psychiatric physicians in key states and coordinates with the APA’s Federal Government Relations team on priority policy issues.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Development and execution of SGA strategies to maximize active engagement of APA membership with state stakeholders in respective region, in close coordination with the SA/DBs.
• Ensure maximum, timely information flow with Advocacy, Policy, and Practice Advancement team, and other appropriate Association colleagues.
• Advocate on behalf of the APA on the association’s priority legislative, regulatory, and public policy interests with legislative, regulatory, and executive branch officials in assigned states.
• Identify political trends that could impact psychiatric physicians and mental health treatment either positively or negatively.
• Track legislation of interest to APA and DB/SAs
• Work with DB’s state legislative team (DB leadership, contract lobbyists, etc.) to monitor, evaluate legislation in region
• Summarize legislative and political issues for assigned states.
• Keep division leadership apprised of key policy and political developments and other relevant third parties to achieve state advocacy goals within state/region.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key regional groups that are in alignment with advocacy goals.
• Increase member advocacy and engagement through grassroots and grasstops strategies working closely with the SA/DB leadership in region.
• Work with SA/DB leaders on the development and execution of CALF grant plans and monitor progress.
• Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

The Regional Director’s performance on these duties and responsibilities will be measured using the following competencies:

SCOPE & IMPACT

The Regional Director of SGR will be responsible for managing APA-related issues in their designated states and district branches while interacting with APA member physicians across the United States and the District of Columbia, deeply engaging the relevant State Associations (SAs) and District Branches (DBs) and working closely with other relevant internal and external stakeholders. Responsible for the daily activities of all aspects regarding District Branch legislative priorities and APA state legislative priorities. Requires thorough knowledge of legislative advocacy, including but not limited to monitoring and evaluating legislation, building, and maintaining relationships with District Branches and legislative coalitions, and successfully communicating with APA members and legislators. Success is frequently measured by metrics associated with completing a functional set of department or program projects or initiatives and demonstrating defined organizational work environment behavior.

COMPLEXITY, PROBLEM SOLVING & DECISION-MAKING

Serve as the day-to-day contact with State Legislatures, Governors, and State Agencies within region. Serve as a SGR contact on state relations with membership and APA staff. Manage SGR regional relationships and operations. In close coordination with SA/DB leaders Managing Director, DGR, Government Relations Officer, and Chief, serve as a spokesperson and advocate before all venues and audiences including State legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, other public forums, and the media, when appropriate. Forge key alliances among organizations/third-party policy groups within the mental health community and beyond that share similar advocacy objectives in the region and execute APA’s strategic plan to transform APA into a key player and valuable teammate in the region. Enhance and maintain an effective public relations/public relations approach, inclusive of a strong plan to strengthen the reputation of the association. In conjunction with the Managing Director, DGR, Government Relations Officer, and Chief, develop and execute a strategic plan and operating budget for the region, including working with SA/DBs to properly utilize APA resources. Participate in the review, evaluation, and improvement of the Association’s relations with DBs and other key state-based stakeholders. Assist DBs/SAs in managing state-based contract lobbyists, when appropriate. Identifies novel and complex problems and issues. Designs and implements solutions with management approval. Recognizes complex problems and escalates them to the appropriate level.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT & AUTHORITY

The Managing Director of the Department of Government Relations and the Government Relations Officer manage the Senior Regional Director and Regional Directors. Both positions also answer to the Chief of Advocacy, Policy, and Program Advancement. In conjunction with the Managing Director of DGR and the Government Relations Officer, establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with APA physician leadership, APA members, SA/DB Executives, APA staff, and key external stakeholders in the region. Uses diplomatic skills to obtain trust and cooperation in order to resolve issues and/or non-routine matters, manage projects, or achieve appropriate solutions. Likely to represent the organization as a liaison to APA governance and other external coalitions and audiences with feedback provided to management.

ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrates strong knowledge of the Department of Government Relations’ processes, relationships, and responsibilities as well as interactions within the organization.

SUPERVISION

Coaches and mentors junior-level staff. Could have formal staff management responsibilities of 1-2 employees.

Qualifications

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS and at least 5-7 years of relevant experience and/or sufficient relevant work experience
• 5-7 years of experience in executing and managing state-specific advocacy campaigns, state policy development understanding, and lobbying or legislative experience.
• Independent judgment and maturity to act in the interests of the association and relevant DB/SAs.
• An understanding of healthcare policy preferred.
• Possess excellent problem-solving and strategic skills; be effective and decisive, speedy-thinking, manage multiple issues at one time, and work well as part of a larger team.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with state officials in the region with an established network to utilize in this position.
• Analyze legislation or regulatory proposals, contact relevant internal stakeholders to understand the impact on the association, and create and implement an advocacy plan to educate public officials on issues of concern or interest to the APA and DB/SAs.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others and work for the best interests of the group and not their own interests.
• Possess strong communication skills to interact with policymakers and internal stakeholders. Write concisely and summarize legislative and political issues.
• Technical skills: MS Office, CRMs, other proprietary systems specific to associations, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Normal demands associated with an office environment. Ability to work on computer for prolonged periods, communicate with individuals by telephone, e-mail, and face to face. Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs. Prefer candidates based in the DC area, would consider candidates based in western states for remote work. Travel, up to 33%, to/from DC and to states within the region required EOE, including disability/vets

Salary-$103,807-$156,100

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