Job Summary and Responsibilities
The Region Vice President of Public Policy and State Government Relations, Washington & Oregon, works in concert with the Region and Market Presidents and the CommonSpirit Health System SVP of Government Relations and Chief Advocacy Officer to shape and lead the development and implementation of CommonSpirit's state level advocacy and public policy initiatives with the executive and legislative branches.
In addition, the Region Vice President of Public Policy and State Government Relations, Washington & Oregon leads policy coordination across the Regional footprint. Serves as CommonSpirit's primary liaison with Washington & Oregon government officials and coordinates appropriate stakeholders across the Region internally and externally to facilitate attainment of the organization's public policy goals. The VP must balance an array of high visibility responsibilities under continuous time and performance pressures.
• Develop and maintain relationships with senior government officials and elected leaders at the state and federal levels
• Lead strategic partnerships across the region to advance CommonSpirit Health’s advocacy agenda
• Identify, track, and develop advocacy strategies for Washington and Oregon legislative measures
• Engage and coordinate hospital-level Policy Advocacy Liaisons (PALs) to support grassroots advocacy efforts
• Lead policy coordination across the regional footprint and align advocacy priorities across hospitals
• Plan and coordinate advocacy events (such as policy conferences) that promote CommonSpirit Health’s policy agenda
• Analyze state legislative and regulatory proposals and determine regional and system policy positions
• Brief Hospital Presidents and key leadership on legislative and regulatory developments impacting the organization
• Develop and manage public testimony and submit comment letters on policy issues affecting the Northwest Region
• Direct and manage external lobbying firms and state-level government relations contractors
• Serve as a subject matter expert on key national healthcare policy issues in coordination with the System SVP of Government Relations
• Serve as the primary liaison with major industry associations including: Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA); Hospital Association of Oregon (HAO); American Hospital Association (AHA)
• Share operational impacts with these organizations and help shape policy positions and advocacy strategies
• Collaborate with CommonSpirit Health advocacy leaders to advance a unified national and regional advocacy agenda
• Represent CommonSpirit Health by participating in committees, boards, and industry associations
• Support system-wide education and awareness around public policy issues for internal and external audiences
• Present to diverse audiences on regional and national healthcare policy issues and strategic initiatives
• Develop presentations, slides, and supporting materials to communicate policy priorities effectively
Job Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Demonstrated executive-level leadership experience, typically gained through 4–6 years in senior leadership roles
• Strong familiarity with the Washington State policy and legislative environment required
• Experience managing external lobbying firms and overseeing government relations contracts
• Minimum of five (5) years of policy/advocacy experience; healthcare related preferred.
