Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations

The Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans

The Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP) was founded in 2013 as a non-profit organization representing Medicaid managed care organizations that do business with the state of Illinois.

As a member organization for Medicaid managed care health plans, IAMHP works with the Illinois state government, legislators, advocacy groups, and Medicaid patients to invest in and provide high-quality health care focused on cost-effective, individualized care that helps the residents of Illinois live longer and healthier lives.

Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations

Job Posting: September 25, 2024

Job Description

The Vice President (VP) of Public Policy & Government Affairs is a key leadership position reporting directly to the CEO. The VP will serve as the voice of an influential membership of Illinois’ Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). The VP of Public Policy & Government Affairs will own IAMHP’s policy and government affairs function and build relationships with key legislators, administration policymakers, and other Medicaid stakeholders.

The VP will work closely and collaboratively with the Board of Directors (Board), CEO, and Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives to drive strategy, execute short and long-term policy objectives, and define and meet metrics of impact and accountability.

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as IAMHP’s primary liaison to state government entities and state legislators on issues impacting the Medicaid managed care industry in Illinois.
• Lead the IAMHP Legislative Committee to collaborate and motivate a team of MCO government affairs professionals and external lobbyists to achieve ambitious policy goals in a bipartisan environment.
• Engage, educate, and cultivate relationships with administration officials and state legislators to advance IAMHP’s policy agenda.
• Foster close working relationships with the government affairs offices of IAMHP MCO members and the government affairs leads at allied trade associations and advocacy organizations.
• Work directly and collaboratively with the Board and CEO to determine the need for and inform the content of policymaker-focused communications, including but not limited to testimony, talking points, and briefing materials.
• Develop and execute strategies to deliver on IAMHP’s legislative and regulatory policy priorities in the State of Illinois.
• Lead/support negotiations of key legislative and regulatory changes of importance to the Medicaid MCOs.

Organizational/Leadership

• Work closely with the Board and CEO to develop and drive IAMHP’s overall political engagement strategy, including management of a political action committee (PAC), as well as relationships with party committees and affiliated organizations at all levels.
• Develop, nurture, and maintain a relationship with the IAMHP Board of Directors.
• Evaluate, cultivate, and create relevant coalitions based on the voices needed to advance IAMHP’s policy objectives.
• Lead IAMHP’s engagement with administration officials, Members of the General Assembly, and the Governor.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in lobbying or policy-making roles
• At least 5 years of experience in the fields of healthcare, insurance, or human services

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Experience in the governor’s office, state, or federal agency
• A corporate government affairs position in the Medicaid space
• Relevant experience in a trade association, advisory, law, or lobbying firm
• Experience developing and managing a public affairs campaign to advance advocacy goals
• Exposure to managing political campaigns, independent expenditure efforts, or other political engagement

Additional Skills

• Ability to be proactive and assertive while successfully collaborating with politically diverse individuals externally and internally
• Expertise in government affairs with a clear record of policy accomplishment. Must be able to articulate and give concrete examples of their distinctive role in driving major legislative action or administrative policymaking.
• Knowledge of major Medicaid policy-making trends is a plus
• An openness to creative approaches in solving strategic problems
• Executive-level written and verbal communication, including superior listening skills
• Ability and willingness to work nontraditional hours and travel to the Capitol in Springfield during the legislative session
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Role Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer, and navigating the Capitol Complex
• Effective communication in both verbal and written form

Salary

$150k-$200k, commensurate with experience

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please submit resumes (accompanied by references) to [email protected].