How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Job Summary:

Wellstar Health System seeks a Vice President for Government Affairs to lead its advocacy, policy, and lobbying efforts, including the enhancement of Wellstar’s political brand with key stakeholders (e.g., policymakers and regulators). The Vice President will leverage and build upon their relationships with relevant federal, state and local policymakers and their knowledge of the key issues to effectively tell Wellstar’s story and advocate for policy solutions. In a dynamic healthcare policy environment, the Vice President will lead and build the government affairs program to strategically align stakeholders’ support of Wellstar’s mission, vision and policy goals, and to actively advocate for policy positions that support Wellstar’s objectives.

Reporting to the EVP, Chief External Affairs Officer, the Vice President will serve as the primary interface to governmental and advocacy organizations. As such, this executive is a strategic, trusted advisor to Wellstar’s CEO and senior leadership team in considering the policy implications of business decisions and communicating the implications of policy changes on Wellstar and its patients.

Additional responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Manage and lead Wellstar government relations activity and actively participate in local, state and federal legislative processes. Manage a team of political consultants and contract lobbyists/advocates.
• Build and lead a policy team within Wellstar to evaluate the impacts of proposed legislation and regulation and formulate policy positions and advocacy strategies.
• Monitor new federal and state legislation and regulation that affects Wellstar’s business; work with senior leaders and Compliance to ensure their implementation.
• Develop and communicate policy recommendations to elected officials, lobby state and federal elected and executive branch officials
• Partner with Communications, Community Engagement and others as necessary to develop advocacy strategies to support business initiatives such as facility construction and expansion, acquisitions, etc.; enhance the Wellstar political brand by participating in community relations efforts in the Wellstar service area.
• Partner with senior executives, the Wellstar Foundation, the Wellstar Center for Health Equity, Catalyst by Wellstar and others to develop thought leadership positions.
• Partner with the Wellstar Board, senior executives, and local Boards to develop grassroots support for organizational priorities.

Required Minimum Education:
Undergraduate Degree in political science or related area.

MBA, MHA or Masters preferred.

Required Minimum Experience:
12 years' experience working with elected officials, Board members, community leaders, programming, policy writing, budget oversight and event planning.

The successful candidate will be an executive-ready government affairs leader with substantial health policy experience, including engaging with relevant state policymakers and regulators in Georgia. The ideal candidate will have senior-most leadership experience in roles of increasing responsibility for an organization’s advocacy agenda and the achievement of policy objectives, in alignment with the organization’s strategy and business objectives.

A collaborative leader, the Vice President will be a demonstrated team developer with experience building, motivating, and optimizing a team, including by leveraging cross-functional resources to rebuild Wellstar’s brand in the capital.

Required Minimum Skills:

Excellent interpersonal communication skills to interact effectively with multiple parties in complex situations as well as being highly skilled in conflict resolution (e.g., acting as negotiator, arbitrator, facilitator, consensus builder). Proficient computer skills. Excellent writing and presentation skills, communication skills, organization skills, and planning skills.

The successful candidate will be an articulate spokesperson with a track-record of experience effectively telling the story of an impactful organization. A natural relationship builder who has a well-established network of relationships with relevant policymakers and regulators, the successful candidate will bring excellent communication, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution skills

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.