The Director, Government Relations manages legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts under the direction of the SVP of External Affairs. This position is responsible for the execution of advocacy strategies necessary to achieve related goals. The Director, Government Relations supports the development of legislative and regulatory priorities of greatest importance to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and executes advocacy strategies in collaboration with internal and external partners. In collaboration with inter-disciplinary groups across the hospital, including senior leadership, the Director, Government Relations represents DFCI in discussions with policymakers, such as elected and appointed officials and their staffs. The Director also serves as DFCI’s representative in leading external organizations and coalitions and engages with other non-governmental stakeholders. The Director helps to identify, monitor, and articulate DFCI’s position on key legislative, regulatory, and policy issues. DFCI’s advocacy portfolio is both broad and highly specialized requiring deep content knowledge of health care reimbursement and social determinants of health, understanding of the legislative process and advocacy strategies, as well as expertise and knowledge of policy issues unique to comprehensive cancer centers.

This position’s work location is partial remote with two or three days per week remote. The selected candidate may only work remotely from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts under the direction of the SVP of External Affairs by identifying opportunities to influence public policy changes, developing policy positions in key issue areas and executing implementation of identified advocacy strategies.
• Leads meetings with elected officials and/or state health agencies to advocate for advancement of DFCI’s legislative and regulatory priorities, which include policies focused on public health, cancer prevention, reducing financial and access barriers for patients/families, reimbursement issues relevant to comprehensive cancer centers, and other issues of importance to DFCI.
• Serves as the primary liaison and advocate with key policymakers at the state and local level.
• Serves as the lead state lobbyist and supports federal lobbying efforts on key issues, including patient access, cancer prevention and screening, reimbursement issues relevant to comprehensive cancer centers, and other issues of importance to DFCI.
• Supervises the government affairs team and manages external state consultants.
• Leads special projects, including the development of written reports required by government agencies including the state Health Policy Commission, Center for Health Information and Analysis, and Attorney General’s Office.
• Represents DFCI in external organizations engaged in public policy and government affairs activities, including the MA Health and Hospital Association, Boston Chamber of Commerce, Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals Government Relations Committee, and the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, among others.
• Works with the Manager of Government Affairs to develop the Institute’s grassroots advocacy strategy through the DFCI Legislative Action Network.
• Plans and executes events and meetings designed to educate government officials and community leaders about the Institute.
• Maintains a continually evolving knowledge base of the health care market, including facts, concepts, trends, and key health-policy issues related to health care reform and specific to the activities of comprehensive cancer centers. Expertise will include familiarity with the activities of key state health agencies as well as knowledge in public health issues and policy.
• Develops complex presentation materials and written documents, including formal letters, fact sheets, and other communications on diverse issues that impact cancer care or research for a variety of audiences, including senior leadership, external partners, legislators, and state or federal government agencies.
• Builds relationships and maintains communications with counterparts at partner organizations, constituents at DFCI, and other key stakeholders.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Excellent judgment to make decisions on complex healthcare policy issues and act based on what is in the best interest of DFCI and our patients.
• Thorough knowledge of Massachusetts legislative and administrative process and understanding of the hospital sector and related health care issues.
• Passion for working on behalf of cancer patients and their families.
• Strong research and analytic skills, including skill with Excel.
• Strong presentation skills, including use of PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage effectively and work in a collaborative team atmosphere.
• Appropriately identify and triage issues that should be raised to department leadership.
• Demonstrates intellectual ownership and a sense of responsibility for one’s work. For example, is proactive in identifying issues, prepared to address concerns/questions, makes recommendations.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, or related field is preferred.
• 8-10 years of related work experience; preferably in a healthcare environment is required, including experience specific to cancer care, in the state legislature, or in other policy-based position(s).
• Strong network of relationships at the State House & City Hall and with key external stakeholders that shape the political and policy environment.
• Strong health policy background and understanding of health care finance policy.
• Analytic skills and project management experience required.
• Federal and State lobbying registration is required.
• Demonstrated commitment to cancer policy, health care access and patient advocacy.

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Leadership and management experience preferred.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.

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