Director of Federal Affairs, Health Care

A. General Description:

This position is responsible for the identification, development, and management of strategic relationships with Members of Congress and political appointees in executive branch agencies for the purpose of advancing the health care priorities of ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda on behalf of the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.

B. Responsibilities:

1. Initiates and collaborates to identify, develop, execute, and evaluate coordinated advocacy strategies designed to advance ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda.
2. Carries out federal strategic lobbying activities related to advancing the health care priorities of ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda
3. Identifies, develops, and manages strategic relationships with key United States Senators and Representatives, Congressional staff, and political appointees of executive branch agencies.
4. Proposes, reviews and offers comment as needed on relevant policy recommendations that are designed to advance ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda
5. Identifies, develops, maintains, and leverages strategic relationships with relevant staff of external organizations, including coalitions, in accordance with relevant ASHA policies.
6. Collaborates on strategic communications, messaging, and grassroots materials that are designed to advance ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda.  Develops articles and other products for online and print communications.
7. Advises the Director of Political Affairs on supporting Members of Congress and congressional candidates who support the health care priorities within the Association’s Public Policy Agenda, and attends political events on behalf of ASHA-PAC.

C. Contacts:

To accomplish responsibilities listed above, the incumbent has contact with:

1. ASHA members and leaders
2. National and DC Office staff
3. Elected federal representatives, congressional staff, and executive branch officials
4. lobbyists and representatives from other organizations

D. Freedom to Act:

The Director of Federal Affairs, Health Care, is a member of the Federal and Political Affairs Team within the Government Affairs and Public Policy Cluster.  For the purposes of advancing the health care priorities within ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda, the Director has latitude to determine approaches and methodologies that ensure success in carrying out the position’s major duties, as well as the programs and procedures of the Cluster and Team.  The Director consults with the Senior Director of Federal and Political Affairs, and is guided by ASHA’s policies and priorities established by the Board of Directors and Facilitating Team as needed.

E. Qualifications – Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

Knowledge and skills typically acquired through:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, government, public policy or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred
• 5 years of experience on Capitol Hill, or direct federal lobbying experience in health care policies at an association or corporation; experience as Congressional staff and/or at a nonprofit association is strongly preferred

Scope and depth of technical skills/knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability in strategic lobbying activities
• Demonstrated ability to influence and persuade Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and/or political appointees of executive branch agencies 
• Extensive existing relationships with key Members of Congress, Congressional staff, or political appointees of executive branch agencies
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain new strategic relationships with lawmakers, policymakers and allied stakeholders
• Demonstrated negotiation skills
• Demonstrated understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes
• Working knowledge of health care policies that impact ASHA is desirable
• Working knowledge of communication sciences and disorders is desirable

Scope and depth of nontechnical skills/knowledge:

• Strong collaborative and facilitative leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, prioritize, organize, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and a creative approach to work.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve consensus when opposing viewpoints are presented.

F. National Office EEO Policy:

It is the policy of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to provide equal opportunity to all employees without regard for race, sex, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, veteran's status, age, sexual orientation or LGBT status, genetic information, citizenship, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ASHA's Bylaws. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation and benefits, upward mobility, training and development, access to facilities, termination, and other personnel actions. Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, with a firm commitment from coaches at all levels within the organizational structure of the National Office, affirmative action will be taken to ensure the full utilization of members of racial/ethnic minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and Vietnam and disabled veterans within our workforce.

G. Disclaimer:

“This description is intended to provide an overview of the responsibilities and duties of the position. It is not all inclusive. The incumbent in the position will be expected to perform other duties as required. The responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.”