VP - Government Affairs

Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (G.E.H.A) is a nonprofit member association that provides health and dental benefits that millions of federal employees and retirees, military retirees and their families have counted on since 1937. Offering one of the largest health and dental benefit provider networks available to federal employees in the United States, G.E.H.A empowers health and wellness by meeting its members where they are, when they need care.

G.E.H.A has one mission: To empower federal workers to be healthy and well.

The Vice President, Government Affairs is responsible for leading and executing G.E.H.A’s federal government relations strategy, advancing the organization’s legislative, regulatory, and policy priorities and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders across the Executive Branch, Congress, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and other federal agencies, and industry associations. The role serves as the senior leader for the government affairs function and oversees internal and external resources supporting advocacy, public policy, government affairs-related communications, and stakeholder engagement efforts. The position will coordinate the activities of G.E.H.A’s external government affairs consultants and advisors to ensure a unified and effective government affairs function that meets the strategic objectives of the organization.

SKILLS

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Government Affairs Strategy & Advocacy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive government affairs strategy aligned with G.E.H.A’s mission, business objectives and corporate strategy.
• Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, and political developments affecting G.E.H.A, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) and Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP) programs and similar federal healthcare programs, and related business interests.
• Advise executive leadership on emerging policy risks, opportunities, and stakeholder developments.
• Represent G.E.H.A in interactions with federal policymakers, regulators, trade associations, and other external stakeholders.
• Lead advocacy initiatives designed to favorably influence legislation, regulations and public policy outcomes likely to impact the organization.

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of G.E.H.A’s  government affairs function.
• Direct and support government affairs team members (internal and external), including those responsible for congressional and agency relations, federal healthcare policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and industry outreach.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team focused on delivering measurable advocacy and policy outcomes.
• Establish priorities and performance goals for team members.

External Partner Management

• Oversee and coordinate the activities of external government affairs consultants and advisors. Collaborate with G.E.H.A’s communications area to oversee and coordinate the government affairs-related work of external public relations and communications partners.
• Develop and manage coordinated work plans, priorities, and deliverables for external government affairs consultants and advisors.
• Ensure alignment between G.E.H.A’s business objectives and external government affairs consultants and advisors, and consistent messaging across all functions supporting government affairs.   
• Evaluate the effectiveness of external government affairs engagements and recommend adjustments to maximize return on investment.
• Establish regular reporting, accountability, and performance metrics for external partners.
• Coordinate with legal and compliance functions to ensure all advocacy, lobbying, and public affairs activities comply with applicable laws, ethics rules, and disclosure requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant OPM stakeholders, support engagement with OPM by other G.E.H.A functional areas (e.g. product, actuarial and clinical), and ensure alignment across all OPM connection points.
• Establish and maintain relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, administration officials, federal agencies, and other key federal healthcare stakeholders.
• Coordinate executive engagement opportunities with policymakers and influencers.
• Represent G.E.H.A in relevant industry associations, coalitions, and policy forums, including ongoing engagement with organizations such as Association of Federal Health Organizations (AFHO).
• Develop strategies to enhance G.E.H.A’s visibility and credibility among policymakers and thought leaders.

Executive Support & Strategic Counsel

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Legal Officer, Executive Leadership Team, and other senior G.E.H.A executives on policy and government relations matters.
• Prepare executive briefings, position papers, policy analyses, and stakeholder engagement plans.
• Support organizational efforts involving federal contracting, healthcare policy, and regulatory compliance as they intersect with government affairs priorities.
• Coordinate cross-functional government affairs initiatives involving areas such as Legal, Communications, Business Development, and Operations.

Qualifications

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, Law, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Advanced degree (JD, MBA, MPA, MPH, or similar) preferred.

Required Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in government affairs, federal advocacy, public policy, congressional relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing successful federal government relations strategies.
• Experience managing external lobbying, consulting, and public affairs firms.
• Strong understanding of federal healthcare policy, Congress, federal agencies, and the regulatory process.
• Experience leading teams and influencing senior executives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional strategic thinking and political judgment.
• Superior written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to analyze complex legislative and regulatory issues and translate them into actionable business recommendations.
• Demonstrated leadership presence and executive-level influence.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and fast-changing environment.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to: Executive Vice President, Corporate Services & Chief Legal Officer.

Location

Washington, D.C. area preferred, with regular travel to congressional offices, federal agencies, industry events, and company offices in Lee’s Summit, MO as required.

Success Measures

• Advancement of G.E.H.A’s legislative, regulatory, and business priorities.
• Strength and effectiveness of relationships with policymakers and key stakeholders, including but not limited to OPM.
• Successful coordination of internal and external government affairs resources.
• Timely identification and mitigation of policy and government affairs-related regulatory risks.

Work-at-home requirements

• Must have the ability to provide a non-cellular High Speed Internet Service such as Fiber, DSL, or cable Modems for a home office.

• A minimum standard speed for optimal performance of 30x5 (30mpbs download x 5mpbs upload) is required.

• Latency (ping) response time lower than 80 ms

• Hotspots, satellite and wireless internet service is NOT allowed for this role.

• A dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information

How we value you

• Competitive pay/salary ranges

• Incentive plan

• Health/Vision/Dental benefits effective day one

• 401(k) retirement plan:  company match – dollar for dollar up to 4% employee contribution (pretax or Roth options) plus a 6% annual company contribution   

• Robust employee well-being program

• Paid Time Off

• Personal Community Enrichment Time

• Company-provided Basic Life and AD&D

• Company-provided Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

• Tuition Assistance Program

While this is a remote opportunity, at this time G.E.H.A does not hire employees from U.S. territories or the following states: Alaska, Hawaii, California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Maine.

Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only.  G.E.H.A considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and business considerations when extending an offer.

The target hiring range for this position is $319,301 - $403,935 USD. At G.E.H.A, the current maximum salary for this role is $450,099 USD. While initial compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications, there is a path to work toward this top rate through performance and continued growth within the organization.

G.E.H.A is an Equal Opportunity Employer, which means we will not discriminate against any individual based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, military status, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, and sexual orientation, as well as all other characteristics and qualities protected by federal, state, or local law. G.E.H.A will not discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their compensation or the compensation of another employee or applicant. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

G.E.H.A is headquartered in Lee's Summit, Missouri, in the Kansas City area. We recognize the importance of balance and flexibility and offer hybrid and work-from-home options for many of our roles.