Director, Government Relations

About NJHA

The New Jersey Hospital Association is a not-for-profit trade organization committed to delivering support and services to the state’s hospitals, health systems and other healthcare providers. We share a collective goal of providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to the people of the Garden State.

Objective

Coordinates state legislative and regulatory strategy at the direction of the Chief Government Relations Officer and serves as a thought leader to policymakers, members and the public on key healthcare issues. Conducts research and analysis to assists in the development of NJHA positions. Assesses the political impact of these issues on the industry. Communicates NJHA positions to key decision-makers in order to advance our advocacy agenda. Attends legislative and regulatory hearings, and produces written reports for members, the public and policymakers.

Essential Job Functions

1. Coordinates legislative and regulatory strategy at the direction of the Chief Government Relations Officer. Advocates to state policymakers on behalf of membership to protect hospitals, health systems and post-acute care members and supports their mission to provide quality healthcare to their residents in their communities. Analyzes legislative and regulatory issues to assess impact on hospitals, health systems and post-acute care facilities in the state and works with membership to develop strategy to respond to these issues.

2. Reviews legislative information for bill status, amendments to legislation, and briefs for NJHA management, the Policy Development Committee, Government Relations Officers Constituency Group, other internal NJHA meetings, NJHA member and other parties as directed. Applies knowledge of issues moving forward in other states to the likelihood of initiatives moving forward in NJ through legislation and/or regulation.

3. Maintains NJHA legislative database through GovNet, produces regulatory analysis, and drafts minutes for important internal members.

4. Drafts written testimony. Presents oral and written testimony before committees, commissions and regulatory boards. Strengthen NJHA’s reputation with policymakers as a source of reliable information on key healthcare issues.

5. Attends legislative committee hearings, regulatory meetings and other governmental meetings to determine which issues being considered could impact the hospital, health system and post-acute care industries and reports to NJHA staff and the membership on the deliberations.

6. Acts as registered lobbyist on behalf of NJHA before state legislature, the Governor’s office, and various state regulatory bodies as needed. Effectively communicates and presents the advocacy positions of NJHA on legislation, regulatory matters and other issues to key decision makers in NJ state government.

7. Assists Chief GRO in maintenance of the NJHA website.

8. Attends fundraisers and other political events as directed by the Chief GRO.

9. Assists in preparation of end-of-year publication on NJHA activities during the legislative session and frequent legislative updates.

10. Develops position papers to be used in NJHA lobbying efforts.

11. Responds to requests for information from members, legislators, departments of state government, NJHA management regarding various legislative or policy issues.

12. Builds and maintains relationships with legislative staff, members of the Governor’s Office, departments of State government in order to educate them regarding issues of concern to NJHA and keep them informed of NJHA positions on legislative and regulatory matters.

13. Supports Chief Government Relations Officer in advocating to federal legislative and regulatory bodies on behalf of membership including drafting policy briefs, following Congressional hearings, attending events and other tasks as requested by the Chief Government Relations Officer.

14. Contributes articles to NJHA newsletters for membership on legislative and regulatory developments.

15. Attends Government Relations Officers Constituency Group and other NJHA meetings as directed.

16. Participates in AHA annual meeting, as well as other conferences, forums, panel discussions and meetings upon request.

17. Prepares quarterly and annual lobbying reports on NJHA Government Relations & Policy Department and assists additional NJHA staff subject to ELEC's regulation with filing the appropriate materials regarding NJHA's advocacy as required by the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission.

18. Assists in the development and support of NJHA’s grassroots advocacy strategy.

19. Abides by the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Non-Essential Job Functions

1. Assists office staff in the daily operation of the department of Government Relations and Policy.

2. Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

• An individual who works well in a team-driven working group, is highly motivated, intelligent, has sound judgment and has demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors with 5-10 years in advocacy and legislative/regulatory analysis.
• Working knowledge of the healthcare system in New Jersey preferred.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills; strong organizational skills.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in political science or related work experience preferred.