The Vice President, Government Relations leads Nascentia Health's government relations and public policy strategy, with a primary focus on New York State and coordinated federal and local advocacy. The VPGR position advances organizational priorities through legislative engagement, government partnerships, and policy analysis. The VPGR works with executive leadership to protect access to care, support sustainable reimbursement and workforce capacity, and identify public funding opportunities across Nascentia's programs and services.
Performance Responsibilities and StandardsStrategic Leadership and Management• Develop and lead an annual government relations agenda with executive leadership, establishing priority issues, desired outcomes, engagement plans, and measures of progress.
• Advise the CEO/President and executive leadership on emerging government actions, policy opportunities, and risks affecting organizational strategy and services.
• Manage the approved government relations budget and oversee external lobbyists, consultants, and association relationships; evaluate performance and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Lead, coach, and evaluate assigned staff; establish clear responsibilities, work standards, and professional development goals.
Legislative Advocacy and Government Relationships• Build and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, executive branch officials, and public agencies at the state, federal, and local levels.
• Represent Nascentia's approved positions in legislative meetings, hearings, advisory groups, and policy discussions; coordinate executive participation when appropriate.
• Develop advocacy strategies addressing healthcare access, home and community-based services, managed long-term care, reimbursement, workforce shortages, and other organizational priorities.
• Organize legislative visits, briefings, and facility or program tours that demonstrate Nascentia's services, community impact, and policy needs.
Policy Analysis and Regulatory Coordination• Monitor proposed legislation, budgets, regulations, and agency guidance; maintain an issue tracker identifying deadlines, organizational impact, recommended action, and responsible leaders.
• Assess policy proposals with Finance, clinical and operational leadership, health plan leadership, Human Resources, and Compliance to identify financial, service, and workforce implications.
• Coordinate development of policy recommendations, position statements, testimony, and regulatory comments, obtaining subject matter review and leadership approval before submission.
• Translate government developments into timely executive and Board briefings, distinguishing pending proposals from enacted requirements and identifying decisions or follow-up needed.
Reimbursement and Public Funding Advocacy• Partner with Finance and operational leaders to support advocacy for adequate Medicare and Medicaid funding, sustainable payment methodologies, and resources for community-based care.
• Use validated financial and operational information to explain how reimbursement and workforce constraints affect service capacity, patient and member access, and organizational sustainability.
• Identify government funding and partnership opportunities for workforce development, service expansion, and capital or community initiatives; coordinate evaluation with the departments responsible for grants, development, and implementation.
• Support approved funding requests and government engagement, while ensuring financial commitments and application submissions receive the required internal approvals.
Coalitions and Advocacy Communications• Develop working relationships with healthcare associations, community organizations, and other partners to advance shared policy priorities and strengthen Nascentia's representation.
• Evaluate coalition positions and association activities for alignment with Nascentia's interests; elevate conflicting positions or proposed commitments to executive leadership.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications on clear, consistent advocacy materials, including policy briefs, fact sheets, talking points, and community impact examples.
• Prepare executives and other authorized representatives for policymaker meetings and public testimony; coordinate appropriate participation by employees, patients, members, and community partners.
Ethics Compliance and Accountability• Coordinate with Compliance, legal counsel, and Finance on applicable lobbying registrations, disclosures, activity records, reporting deadlines, and ethics requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of government contacts, advocacy expenditures, consultant activities, and approved positions; protect confidential organizational, patient, and member information.
• Ensure advocacy activities follow organizational approval requirements and applicable nonprofit restrictions; disclose potential conflicts and obtain guidance before making commitments.
• Report progress against advocacy priorities, including policy outcomes, funding developments, unresolved risks, and recommended next steps; distinguish organizational contributions from outcomes driven by broader coalitions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications Experience Education and Training Requirements• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, public administration, healthcare administration, business, or a related field required; master's degree or law degree preferred. Equivalent relevant education and substantial professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, or related work, including at least five years leading advocacy strategies, teams, or significant policy initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of New York State legislative, executive, regulatory, and budget processes, with experience engaging policymakers and government agencies.
• Healthcare policy experience required; experience with home and community-based services, managed care, Medicare, Medicaid, or nonprofit healthcare organizations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop policy positions, build coalitions, and advance organizational priorities across differing political perspectives.
• Strong analytical, writing, presentation, and negotiation skills; ability to explain complex policy and financial issues to executive, government, and community audiences.
• Experience managing consultants, budgets, and competing priorities; sound judgment, discretion, and ability to work effectively across departments.
• Working knowledge of lobbying disclosure and ethics requirements, with the ability to coordinate compliance obligations with legal counsel and responsible internal departments.
Physical and Environmental Requirements• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and use a computer and standard office equipment; work involves frequent sitting and intermittent standing and walking.
• Ability to travel regularly within New York State, including Albany, and periodically to Washington, D.C., or other locations; attend evening or weekend meetings and respond to changing legislative schedules as needed.
• Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Category: III - Employee who rarely has contact with blood and body fluids.
Compensation & BenefitsCompetitive Salary [This position is an S10 exempt position with a min-max rate of: $143,423 - $179,052/annually] with:
- Retention Bonuses
- Internal Mentoring Program
- 401K with generous Employer match
- On-Site Gym (free for all employees)
- Potential Hybrid Position (Partial Work From Home)
- Medical, Dental, Vision plans
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Partially funded HSA
- Employee Recognition Platform
- Paid Time Off, Holidays, Sick and Extended Sick Leave
- Short/Long term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Much More!
