JOB SUMMARY
This job leads and manages the Government Relations function for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and the Kansas City region, including Missouri, Kansas and local Kansas City affairs. This includes working closely with market leadership to set the government relations strategy for the company. Oversees the strategies and processes for communication with federal, state and local legislators, and government agency officials. The incumbent works closely with market leadership, relevant internal subject matter experts, including the broader Highmark Health government relations team, and other key stakeholders in the Enterprise to determine the impact of current legislation and regulations, including policy development, and to lead all legislative and regulatory discussions and collaborative actions at the state level. They will also collaborate on federal actions and other states as requested, overseeing efforts to analyze and determine how legislative and regulatory processes impact company operations, products, and health management services.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Perform management responsibilities to include, but are not limited to: involved in hiring and termination decisions, coaching and development, rewards and recognition, performance management and staff productivity. Plan, organize, staff, direct and control the day-to-day operations of the department; develop and implement policies and programs as necessary; may have budgetary responsibility and authority.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with government officials and their staff members, serving as primary contact for interfaces with federal, state, and local legislators and officials to help create an understanding of the organization and its objectives and mission. Build strong relationships with key external stakeholders, partners and coalitions and develop strategic alliances within the assigned regional market.
Provide expert policy and regulatory advice and education internally to support the organization’s products, services, and strategic initiatives, and externally to government officials as needed.
Track legislation and regulations relevant to the organization’s operations within the assigned regional market. Research and analyze proposed legislative and regulatory actions and determines the potential impact on the organization. Communicate government relations related information to market leadership and other relevant stakeholders,. providing routine updates to the Highmark Health Compliance Department while ensuring that the organization’s senior leadership is aware of impending policy and legal issues of interest to the organization. Additionally, monitor and review proposed and enacted state legislation and regulations, educate the company on new laws, regulations, and guidance, and assist with identifying operational impact and compliance issues.
Craft and implement the organization’s response to major state and federal public policy, regulatory and legislative initiatives within the assigned regional market. Coordinate advocacy activities with state and national trade associations when appropriate.
Manage and direct external lobbying efforts and/or the activities of contracted lobbyists to advance the organization’s legislative and regulatory agenda.
Partner closely with Government Affairs staff to coordinate appropriate strategy and communications efforts to advance enterprise-wide positions and leverage all possible strategic relationships.
Manage the organization’s relationships in state and national trade associations to maximize influence and to ensure that Highmark Health and Blue KC issues become a top priority. Serve on trade association committees and workgroups, as needed.
Develop effective communication tools to advance organization objectives, including testimony; comments on regulations, and policy-related talking points and messages; written reports related to advocacy activities; information for presentations; position papers; internal updates for senior executives; memoranda and other leave behind materials for meetings with government officials; and letters to legislators reflecting the organization’s positions on bills and/or requests for support.
Serve as a key point of contact on regional advocacy issues and represent the organization at external advocacy-centric meetings and other related events.
Other duties as assigned or requested.
EDUCATION
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Business Administration/Management, Health Administration, Pre-Law, Public Policy Analysis or related field.
Substitutions
6 years of related and progressive experience in lieu of Bachelor's degree
Preferred
Master's Degree in Public Policy Analysis or Health Administration
EXPERIENCE
Required
7 years in a Legal, Lobbyist or Government Affairs role
5 years in a leadership or management role
Preferred
Healthcare Insurance or Healthcare Industry Experience
SKILLS
Demonstrated strategic thinking and ability to influence community members and establish and execute planning process.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues at different levels of the and community
Demonstrated ability to deliver presentations to a diverse audience
Demonstrated excellent organizational skills, strong analytical and conceptual skills, and solid financial analysis skills coupled with demonstrated problem-solving skills.
Documented successful experience demonstrating strong capabilities regarding persuasion and influence.
Language (Other than English):
None
Travel Requirement:
0% - 25%
PHYSICAL, MENTAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS
Position Type
Office-based
Teaches / trains others regularly
Occasionally
Travel regularly from the office to various work sites or from site-to-site
Rarely
Works primarily out-of-the office selling products/services (sales employees)
Never
Physical work site required
Yes
Lifting: up to 10 pounds
Constantly
Lifting: 10 to 25 pounds
Occasionally
Lifting: 25 to 50 pounds
Rarely
Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.
Compliance Requirement: This job adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies.
As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times. In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy.
Furthermore, it is every employee’s responsibility to comply with the company’s Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements.
Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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For accommodation requests, please contact HR Services Online at [email protected]
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in political science, business administration or management, health administration, pre-law, public policy analysis, or a related field; six years of related progressive experience may substitute.
- Seven years of experience in a legal, lobbying, or government affairs role.
- Five years of leadership or management experience.
- Juris Doctor (JD).
- Master's degree in public policy analysis or health administration.
- Healthcare insurance or healthcare industry experience.
Highmark Health Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Highmark Health and has not been reviewed or approved by Highmark Health.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage are emphasized alongside 100% coverage for preventive exams, with onsite pharmacy access and fitness center availability at major campuses.
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Retirement Support — An employer‑sponsored 401(k) with a company match is highlighted, with AHN materials illustrating a 100% match on the first 4% plus an additional 1% employer contribution as an example within the enterprise.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellness programs include stress‑management classes, health coaching, incentives for healthy activities, team‑member discounts, and volunteer incentives, with paid volunteer time also noted in the overall package.
Highmark Health Insights
What We Do
Highmark Health, a Pittsburgh, PA based enterprise that employs more than 40,000 people who serve millions of Americans across the country, is the second largest integrated health care delivery and financing network in the nation based on revenue. Highmark Health is the parent company of Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, and HM Health Solutions. Highmark Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates provide health insurance to nearly 5 million members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware as well as dental insurance, vision care and related health products through a national network of diversified businesses that include United Concordia Companies, HM Insurance Group, and Visionworks. Allegheny Health Network is the parent company of an integrated delivery network that includes eight hospitals, more than 2,800 affiliated physicians, ambulatory surgery centers, an employed physician organization, home and community-based health services, a research institute, a group purchasing organization, and health and wellness pavilions in western Pennsylvania. HM Health Solutions focuses on meeting the information technology platform and other business needs of the Highmark Health enterprise as well as unaffiliated health insurance plans by providing proven business processes, expert knowledge and integrated cloud-based platforms. A national blended health organization, Highmark Health and our leading businesses support millions of customers with products, services and solutions closely aligned to our mission of creating remarkable health experiences, freeing people to be their best. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, we're regionally focused in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and New York, with customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We passionately serve individual consumers and fellow businesses alike. Our companies cover a diversified spectrum of essential health-related needs, including health insurance, health care delivery, population health management, dental solutions, reinsurance solutions, and innovative technology solutions. We’re also proud to carry forth an important legacy of compassionate care and philanthropy that began more than 170 years ago. This tradition of giving back, reinvesting and ensuring that our communities remain strong and healthy is deeply embedded in our culture, informing our decisions every day.
