Assistant Director of Health Government Relations

About the Job:

USC University Relations (UR) advances the university's mission and USC's role as an anchor institution. The department's scope includes community partnerships, civic engagement, government relations, small business, non-profit accelerators, USC's seven Head Start early childhood education centers, pre-K to career neighborhood education programs, and Classical California - the nation's largest classical music provider.

We are hiring an Assistant Director of Health Government Relations to join the department's Health Policy Governments Relations team. Reporting to the Vice President, this multifaceted role will advance the USC Health System's policy priorities at the federal, state, and local levels of government. The assistant director will provide strategic analyst support on federal and state policy related to hospital financing, healthcare regulatory changes, graduate medical education, and other healthcare issues.

Position Responsibilities:

The Assistant Director of Health Government Relations is responsible for researching, analyzing, and evaluating federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory issues to update and advise the Vice President of Health Policy on appropriate strategic solutions for advocacy and public policy that may impact the organization. In addition, this role monitors government matters and policies of interest for the health system. The incumbent builds relations with trade associations, civic organizations, and healthcare entities/leaders to present the hospital's and university's positions on critical legislative and regulatory matters.

• Monitors, reviews, researches, analyzes, and evaluates legislative and regulatory issues and government policies to update and advise on appropriate strategic solutions for advocacy and public policy that may impact the health system to the Vice President.

• Ensures that new and revised legislation and regulations about the health system are communicated to the appropriate parties and that changes are implemented to maintain compliance and quality.

• Collaborates with internal stakeholders on regulatory and policy impacts.

• Prepare regular briefings, policy updates, and presentations.

• Prepare advocacy plans and engage in advocacy activities representing the health system, including possible delegation visits to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

• Acts as the liaison in maintaining critical relationships between the health system and trade organizations in Sacramento, D.C., and locally.

• Works collaboratively with internal federal, state, and local government relations teams and other University Relations colleagues to develop relationships with key elected officials and their staff/committee members to promote USC Health System's initiatives and programs.

• Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.

May require work, and travel, on weekends, evenings and/or holidays, based on business necessity.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; master's or professional degree preferred.

• Minimum of 5-7 years with government relations legislative or public affairs management or equivalent. Demonstrated strategic advocacy experience.

• Strong organizational and project management/time management ability. Excellent written and verbal communication, including comfortable with public speaking.

• Thorough understanding of the California legislative and budgetary process.

• Basic understanding of Congressional processes and critical committees.

• Specific knowledge of policy issues impacting the healthcare industry and academic medical centers.

• Ability to evaluate complex problems/emerging policy issues and identify their potential implications for the health system.

• Effective relationship-building and collaboration skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a coalition. Ability to work collaboratively with other USC departments.

• Ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others.

• Ability to engage in sophisticated/strategic thinking to determine how best to influence elected officials and other policymakers.

• Ability to translate strategies into tactical plans and operationalize them into successful outcomes.

• Ability to think broadly across issue areas and develop action plans integrating communications and civic engagement strategies.

• Consistent exercise of independent and sound judgment and discretion in matters of significance.

• Uncompromising ethics and integrity.

• Personal interest in and commitment to healthcare, health equity, access to care, and healthcare workforce.

This position's annual base salary range is $115,500. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, essential skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC's comprehensive benefits here.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Minimum Experience: 5 years in governmental relations and policy.
Minimum Skills: Demonstrated leadership skills and experience, able to establish strong relationships with government officials and agencies. Experience with public policies and regulatory issues in Los Angeles, the Southern California region, and statewide. Ability to lead with influence, expertise, and advocacy with key internal/external stakeholders. Demonstrated interpersonal skills for collaborating across multiple departments, building consensus strategies and implementing plans. Exemplary oral and written communication skills, exercising diplomacy, tact, discretion and confidentiality while interacting with various communities of colleagues. Ability to compile and summarize information in succinct, understandable reports and formats. Demonstrated project management, organizational and critical thinking skills, able to adjust to changing demands and pressing issues.
Preferred Education: Master's degree
Preferred Experience: 7 years