Director Government Relations

The Director of Government Relations works closely with the Vice President of Government and Community Relations in a fast-paced environment to support the development of the company’s health policy priorities and advocacy strategies. Also, the Director of Government Relations supports the company and its subsidiaries’ legislative and regulatory activities and relationships with federal and state government officials, agencies and advocacy groups. This position has a senior leadership role in the company with the expectation, responsibility and accountability associated with serving as a subject matter expert on legislative and regulatory intent to support the daily activities within the government relations department. Also, this position has a senior leadership role in the company with the expectation, responsibility and accountability associated with serving as a subject matter expert to support short-term and long-term strategies for the Vice President, the Government and Community Relations division and the company.

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Essential Functions

• The incumbent is responsible for supporting and maintaining relationships with the Kansas Insurance Department, serving as the secondary point of contact for the corporation’s strategic discussions with the Kansas Insurance Department, not only for BCBSKS but also its subsidiaries and joint ventures.
• The incumbent is responsible and accountable for leading government relations staff to identify and monitor federal and state legislative and regulatory issues.
• The incumbent supports the Congressional Relations Coordinator for the corporation, who is a   liaison with the Federal Congressional Delegation and the staff of that delegation, including regular visits to Washington, D.C., as well as coordinating visits with such persons when they are in the district. The incumbent supports strategy on proposed legislation both within the corporation and in coordination with BCBSA, responds to requests for information from congressional offices, and communicates with the congressional offices on elements of proposed legislation favored or opposed by the corporation, at the direction of the Vice President.
• The incumbent is responsible for supporting and maintaining relationships with the Kansas Insurance Department, serving as the secondary point of contact for the corporation’s strategic discussions with the Kansas Insurance Department, not only for BCBSKS but also its subsidiaries and joint ventures.
• The incumbent is responsible and accountable for leading government relations staff to identify and monitor federal and state legislative and regulatory issues.
• The incumbent supports the Congressional Relations Coordinator for the corporation, who is a   liaison with the Federal Congressional Delegation and the staff of that delegation, including regular visits to Washington, D.C., as well as coordinating visits with such persons when they are in the district. The incumbent supports strategy on proposed legislation both within the corporation and in coordination with BCBSA, responds to requests for information from congressional offices, and communicates with the congressional offices on elements of proposed legislation favored or opposed by the corporation, at the direction of the Vice President.
• Represents the corporation and subsidiary companies at hearings on proposed regulations of the Insurance Department and other state agencies, under the guidance and direction of the Vice President
• Identifies and reviews with the Vice President information related to proposed and newly adopted Kansas Insurance Department bulletins and regulations. Supports responding to the Kansas Insurance Department on all matters of concern to the corporation and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to, requests for technical assistance and relating corporate policy or positions to the Insurance Department on various issues.
• Serves on such committees and task forces that may create new products or new benefit delivery capabilities.
• Supports the Vice President’s active liaison role with the Insurance Department and other state or federal agencies such as the Center for Medicare and a Medicaid to encourage open communications and good relations.
• Oversees and is accountable for government relations staff that reports directly to the Director.
• Participates in such professional associations and insurance industry classes/trainings as necessary, and when directed by the Vice President, to broaden exposure to insurance and health care financing issues.
• Develops and presents educational programs as requested by the sales  department whereby sales representatives maintain necessary continuing education credits for licensing purposes.
• Supports the preparation and filing of the annual Holding Company filings with Kansas on behalf of BCBSKS and its subsidiaries.
• Supports cross divisional staff, as necessary, to assist with Kansas Insurance Department staff during Market Conduct examinations.
• The incumbent must be able to register and be in good standing as a state and/or federal lobbyists on behalf of the company and its subsidiaries at the direction of the Vice President.
• Duties are performed primarily in an office environment. However, travel is required to lobby the Kansas Legislature, Federal Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., and to attend various meetings, classes, seminars, court appearances, trials, etc., throughout Kansas and other states as necessary or directed by the Vice President.
• Must be physically able to lift files weighing from 5 to 15 lbs. and to retrieve files from file drawers ranging from floor level to shoulder level.
• The incumbent must be able to drive long distances throughout the state and region to attend meetings at the corporation’s field offices which are located throughout the state, lawmakers, regulatory officials, members, providers and other stakeholders.
• Must comply with and implement corporate information security policies, standards, and guidelines relative to access control.
• Must be accessible via text, voice, and/or data, and is therefore expected to be available to timely response during non-working hours as scheduled or needed.

Qualifications

Education

• Masters Degree in Business, Law, Political Science, Economics, Public Health or Public Administration is preferred. Otherwise, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Law, Political Science, Economics, Public Health or Public Administration with 5+ years of experience as a lobbyist, staff member in a federal or state agency/office, or senior level health system administrator with responsibility for health insurance or health care policy issues.

Experience

• Knowledge of Federal laws relating to commercial and government health insurance programs, Kansas insurance laws and insurance department rules and regulations is required.
• Knowledge of other relevant state and federal laws impacting contractual relationships between the parent corporation and its subsidiaries and their subscribers is preferred, together with past experience in health contract/health benefit development, a knowledge of subscriber accounting and marketing/underwriting regulations of the corporation, and the provider relations responsibilities and obligations as reflected in documents.
• A thorough understanding of the legislative and government structure, and of the political process is required.

Skills

• A demeanor which permits the corporation to secure its business objectives in its relations with federal agencies such as CMS, and state agencies such as the Kansas Insurance Department in an ethical manner and in compliance with all state and federal laws.
• The emotional intelligence and maturity to recognize the sensitivity and level of confidentiality associated with member inquiries, data, projects, activities and corporate strategic plans.
• The professionalism, demeanor, confidence and social awareness to assist the Vice President, when directed, to support the corporation with implementing its business strategies without creating antagonism with federal and state agencies, lawmakers, elected officials and external stakeholders, such as consumer, business and provider advocacy organizations.
• The professionalism, demeanor and confidence necessary to communicate daily with internal and external Blue Plan peers, elected officials, regulators, providers, BCBSA staff, NAIC staff, and other corporations in-person, virtually and through written correspondence.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and promptly complete business responsibilities while supervising staff with a professional demeanor and in accordance with the organization’s leadership principles and culture, at the direction and guidance of the Vice President.
• The flexibility and emotional intelligence to lead and instill confidence in others in a continuously changing legislative and regulatory business environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, internally and externally. The ability to identify problems and predict potential implications and results arising from them in terms of (l) proposed legislation or regulations, (2) proposed Insurance Department actions with respect to the corporation and (3) elements involved in the production and distribution of member insurance contracts, benefit certificates, and marketing materials.
• The emotional intelligence and demeanor to manage and direct employees within the division and contract lobbyist(s) at the direction of Vice President.

Compensation

Salary based on education, skills, and experience.

Posting Close Date

June 30, 2023

Pay Rate Type

Salary

About Us

For more than 70 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust. As we move forward in this new era of health care we want to continue that tradition. Whether a member needs Blue Cross to cover an annual check-up or give them peace of mind during a major medical crisis, we want our members to know they can trust BCBSKS to meet their needs.  Our mission: Being the insurer Kansans trust with their health.

***Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled***

***Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas invites any applicant and/or employee to review the Company’s written Affirmative Action Plan.  This plan is available for inspection upon request by contacting the EEO Office at (785)291-8639.***