Job Summary

The Associate Vice President, Government Affairs serves as a senior leader within Grady Health System's (GHS) Office of Health Policy and Government Affairs, with primary responsibility for developing and executing comprehensive government affairs strategy across state, federal, and municipal levels. This position advances the health system's legislative and regulatory priorities by building and managing high-impact relationships with legislators, agency officials, and key stakeholders at the Georgia General Assembly, the United States Congress, and the City of Atlanta. The AVP provides strategic counsel to executive leadership, serves as a principal external advocate for Grady Health System, and oversees a portfolio of policy priorities aligned with the organization's mission, financial sustainability, and community health commitments.

I. State Government Affairs - Georgia General Assembly

Develops and executes Grady's annual state legislative strategy, aligning advocacy priorities with the health system's operational, financial, and policy objectives.

• Serves as Grady's principal registered lobbyist before the Georgia General Assembly, leading all direct engagement with members of the Senate and House of Representatives, committee chairs, and legislative leadership on matters affecting the health system
• Builds and sustains a comprehensive portfolio of legislative relationships across both chambers, with particular emphasis on the Senate Finance Committee, House Appropriations Committee, House and Senate Health and Human Services Committees, and leadership offices
• Develops and manages Grady's annual state legislative agenda, coordinating internally with finance, legal, clinical operations, and communications to identify, prioritize, and advance legislative and appropriations priorities
• Monitors, analyzes, and provides real-time reporting on Georgia General Assembly activity including bill filings, committee action, floor votes, and budget developments affecting hospital funding, Medicaid policy, certificate of need (CON) law, scope of practice, and related healthcare regulation
• Drafts and presents testimony, formal comment letters, talking points, and legislative summaries for legislative proceedings, agency rulemaking, and state budget deliberations
• Manages Grady's relationship with contracted state lobbyists and external government affairs consultants, providing strategic direction and accountability for deliverables
• Cultivates and maintains working relationships with the Governor's Office, Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), and other executive branch agencies critical to Grady's operations and funding
• Represents Grady's policy positions in external coalitions, including the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA), safety-net hospital workgroups, and provider advocacy coalitions, serving in leadership roles where appropriate
• Coordinates Grady's participation in GHA advocacy days, interim committee hearings, and state agency stakeholder meetings throughout the legislative interim

II. Federal Government Affairs - United States Congress

Leads the development and execution of Grady's federal legislative and regulatory advocacy strategy, with focus on congressional engagement, federal funding preservation, and regulatory positioning.

• Serves as Grady's primary point of contact for the Georgia congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators and Representatives, building sustained relationships with members and senior staff on the relevant committees of jurisdiction (Senate Finance, HELP; House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Appropriations)
• Develops and implements Grady's annual federal legislative agenda, encompassing Medicaid and Medicare policy, 340B Drug Pricing Program, ACA marketplace policy, federal appropriations, and other issues material to the health system's mission and financial operations
• Coordinates congressional briefings, site visits, and delegation engagements, preparing executive leadership and clinical subject matter experts for high-stakes meetings with members of Congress and federal agency officials
• Monitors, analyzes, and interprets federal legislative and regulatory activity including congressional budget reconciliation, proposed CMS rulemaking, HRSA guidance, and executive action with material impact on safety-net hospitals and Grady operations
• Drafts and coordinates submission of formal comments, letters, and testimony to federal agencies and congressional offices, including CMS, HRSA, HHS Office of the Secretary, and relevant appropriations subcommittees
• Manages Grady's engagement with national advocacy organizations including America's Essential Hospitals (AEH), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and other federal coalitions, serving in leadership and working group roles as appropriate
• Coordinates with Grady's federal lobbying counsel, providing strategic direction, managing deliverables, and ensuring alignment with the health system's policy and communications positions
• Prepares executive-level briefing materials, one-pagers, and policy analyses for use in congressional engagement, including materials tailored for Senate Budget Committee and Finance Committee staff on Medicaid financing and uncompensated care policy
• Tracks federal appropriations relevant to Grady, including Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) allotments, graduate medical education (GME) funding, community health center grants, and public health emergency authorities

III. Municipal Government Affairs - City of Atlanta

Manages Grady's strategic engagement with the City of Atlanta administration and City Council, advancing priorities related to public health, economic development, community investment, and the health system's role as an anchor institution.

• Serves as Grady's primary liaison to the Mayor's Office, City Council members and staff, and relevant City of Atlanta departments, including the Departments of Public Health, Planning, and Community Development
• Develops and advances Grady's municipal policy agenda, with emphasis on neighborhood reinvestment, housing and social determinants of health, public safety and EMS coordination, and economic development alignment
• Manages Grady's engagement with the Atlanta City Council on matters requiring City action, approval, or partnership, including resolutions, budget priorities, and public health initiatives
• Serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership for meetings and presentations before the Mayor, City Council, and Atlanta-area elected officials, developing briefing materials, talking points, and one-page summaries as needed
• Coordinates Grady's participation in City-convened task forces, working groups, and public engagement processes relevant to the health system's community health strategy and capital expansion plans
• Manages relationships with the Atlanta Regional Commission, Fulton and DeKalb County commissions, and other regional governmental bodies on matters intersecting with Grady's service area and strategic priorities
• Identifies opportunities to align Grady's community benefit activities, workforce development programs, and capital investments with City and County policy priorities, facilitating partnership development with municipal officials

IV. Strategic Leadership & Cross-Functional Responsibilities

• Provides strategic counsel to the Chief Health Policy Officer and executive leadership team on government affairs trends, legislative risk, and policy opportunities across all jurisdictions
• Supervises and mentors government affairs staff, contractors, and interns, fostering professional development and a high-performance team culture
• Partners with communications, finance, legal, and clinical operations teams to ensure government affairs activities are integrated with organizational strategy and aligned with Grady's public messaging
• Develops and maintains a government affairs dashboard and reporting cadence, providing regular updates to the Chief Health Policy Officer and, as appropriate, to the Grady Board of Directors
• Represents Grady on external boards, committees, and coalitions as assigned, including healthcare association policy committees and community advisory groups
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Health Policy Officer

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's in Social Sciences, Business, Public Administration or related field
• Master's degree preferred.
• State of Georgia Lobbyist Registration (active or ability to obtain upon hire)
• Valid Driver's License
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute multi-jurisdictional government affairs strategy
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing executive-level briefings, congressional testimony, and public comment letters
• Strong understanding of Georgia Medicaid, CON law, hospital reimbursement policy, and federal healthcare financing programs
• Established relationships within the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Governor's Office, and/or Georgia congressional delegation
• Familiarity with America's Essential Hospitals, AHA, and national safety-net advocacy landscape
• Experience managing external lobbyists and government affairs vendors

Core Competencies
These competencies reflect the values and behaviors expected of all Grady team members, regardless of role. They ensure that every employee contributes to safe, high-quality care, positive patient experience, and a collaborative work environment.

1. Patient-Centered Care - Demonstrates a commitment to delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality care that prioritizes the well-being and satisfaction of patients and their families.
2. Integrity & Accountability - Acts ethically, maintains confidentiality, and accepts responsibility for actions, decisions, and outcomes.
3. Collaboration & Teamwork - Builds positive relationships, works effectively across departments, and supports colleagues to achieve shared goals.
4. Communication - Communicates clearly, respectfully, and effectively with patients, families, colleagues, and leadership.
5. Respect & Inclusion - Creates an inclusive environment by valuing diversity, treating others with dignity, and ensuring equitable care and opportunities for all.
6. Quality & Safety - Adheres to best practices, regulatory standards, and policies to ensure safe, reliable, and high-quality outcomes.
7. Adaptability & Resilience - Responds effectively to change, remains flexible in dynamic situations, and demonstrates resilience under pressure.
8. Continuous Improvement - Seeks opportunities to improve processes, skills, and outcomes through innovation, learning, and feedback.
9. Leadership & Professionalism - Inspires, guides, and develops individuals and teams while modeling professionalism, fairness, and transparency.
10. Employee Experience Focus - Champions a supportive and engaging employee journey that enables staff to thrive and, in turn, deliver exceptional patient care.

Grady Total Rewards
At Grady, we believe in supporting the health, well-being, and growth of every team member. Our Total Rewards package is designed to provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits that make a difference in your life and career, including:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Financial Security: Retirement savings plans with employer contributions, life insurance, and disability coverage.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off, holidays, and family leave benefits.
• Career Growth: Tuition reimbursement, professional development programs, and opportunities for advancement.
• Employee Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness initiatives, and discounts on services.

Grady's Total Rewards are designed to ensure our employees feel valued, supported, and empowered, both at work and beyond.