[Hiring] Director of Government Relations and Public Policy @Vinfen

Role Description

The Director of Government Relations and Public Policy will work closely with members of the Vinfen Executive Team and service line leaders to set Vinfen’s public policy agenda and government relations strategy. The Director will serve as key liaison with trade associations and other allied organizations in advancing policies that strengthen the mental health and human services sector and improve access to services. The Director will establish relationships with state legislators, municipal elected officials, and represent Vinfen at external events. The Director will play a highly visible role and will report to the Chief Strategy Officer.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of Vinfen’s public policy and government relations strategy.
• Leads the annual process of setting Vinfen’s policy priorities including gathering information from trade associations, Vinfen staff and others on their priorities.
• Monitors legislative and administrative policy at local, state and federal levels.
• Analyzes state and federal budgets and key legislation and provides written and verbal descriptions and responses in clear, concise language.
• Develops documents, presentations that describe in plain language Vinfen’s policy priorities.
• Develops and maintain trusted relationships with key state legislators.
• Provides regular updates and reports to Vinfen leadership on public policy.
• Coordinates the broader efforts of Vinfen staff to track and influence policy.
• Develops coalitions around key legislation.
• Develops policy advocacy training program for Vinfen clients and families.
• Facilitates internal efforts to collect data that can be shared with elected officials.
• Serves as liaison with elected official constituent service staff.
• Responsible for annual registration of lobbyists and biannual lobbyist reports for Massachusetts through Secretary of State.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in policy analysis, government relations, coalition work.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Requirements

• Understanding of the federal, and state government environment related to health care, human services and community mental health.
• Deep knowledge of EOHHS, DMH, DDS and MassHealth programs.
• Experience tracking and analyzing public policies that impact human services, behavioral health and disability services.
• Experience convening and managing coalitions for policy advocacy.
• Experience in state budget processes and procurements.
• Knowledge related to the interpretation and drafting of regulatory and policy-related materials.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of external audiences including leadership, clinical, government and community members.
• Demonstrated experience developing and writing policy documents, testimony and letters.
• Confidence and adaptability to tackle complex and unstructured problems.
• Positive attitude and willingness to own all aspects of a project.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a matrixed organization.
• High-level analytical capabilities and excellent quantitative skills and attention to salient details.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability and gender issues.

Benefits

• A fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan that requires no employee contribution as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• First-rate Medical, Dental and Vision plans that are open to all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more. Plus, we offer a generous employer contribution toward the cost of medical insurance!
• Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance (no cost to you!).
• Employer-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance along with the option to purchase additional, voluntary, Short-Term disability insurance.
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care).
• Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance.
• Generous paid time off (Employees scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week):
• 15 days of Vacation per year.
• 11 Paid Holidays.
• 10 Sick Days per year.
• 3 Personal Days per year.
• Educational Assistance and Remission Programs.
• $500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
• Other generous benefits including discounted YMCA memberships, access to discounted movie tickets and more!