Director, State Affairs

Become a part of our caring community and help us put health first

Regional leader of Humana’s state advocacy and government engagement function. Ensures consistent approach to strategic advocacy and state government outreach across region. Coordinates work of external political consultants, directly accountable for execution on legislative, regulatory and public sector business development advocacy. Represents Humana at national and regional state regulatory, Governor, executive agencies and intergovernmental organizations. Additionally, serves as Voice/Face of Humana in priority states (OK, KS, MO, and NE), communicating core advocacy, policy and business messages to state officials (including Governor’s Office, Medicaid, legislators, regulatory agency leaders, attorneys general (as appropriate) and related political appointees, and strategically helps to establish and maintain relationships to support Humana’s advocacy and business objectives and goals, especially for our state/local government procurement opportunities.

The Director, State Affairs influences public and government policy at all state government levels. Involves the advocacy of an interest that is affected, actually or potentially, by the decisions of government leaders.

Responsibilities include:

• Partner with Humana Healthy Horizons to directly support Humana’s SoonerSelect Medicaid contract.
• Serve as Humana’s regional leader for state advocacy and government engagement in OK, KS, MO, and NE. Engage directly with state government (Medicaid Department, Governor’s office, legislature, executive agency leadership, Departments of Insurance, Departments of Health/Health & Human Services, state boards, and state procurement agencies).
• Serve as HUM liaison with state/local leaders, working on behalf of and in coordination with state market leaders (Medicare, Medicaid and specialty insurance, pharmacy, primary care and home health) as well as state-based business functions (Law Dept., Regulatory and Compliance, Finance, Corp Communications) on strategic priority matters (legislative, regulatory and public sector business development).
• Ensure that market and functional leaders receive timely updates on ongoing and emerging issues material to Humana business goals and objectives.
• Implement/advance state strategic advocacy and relationship outreach to advance Humana’s public policy agenda, product and growth initiatives, and overall public sector business development objectives.
• Manage and direct work of state retained consultants, state trade associations (as appropriate), and communications with state policy and regulatory officials on behalf of the company.
• Maintain legislative monitoring on priority issues (working with retained consultants).
• Monitor/engage in legislative and regulatory matters identified as Humana priorities and position the company to successfully influence the development of priority legislative and regulatory activity to create business opportunities and mitigate operational and/or competitive challenges.
• Facilitate public sector business development relationship outreach to key state and local officials while keeping the businesses informed about relevant public policy and emerging state and local procurement opportunities.
• Identify/manage opportunities for ongoing and targeted engagements with state policy officials (including site visits), underscoring Humana’s value proposition and role as a solutions-oriented “thought leader”.
• Develop strategies for engagements with traditional and non-traditional alliances/organizations to advance the company’s advocacy and reputation development agenda.
• Represent Humana at regional and national legislative, regulatory and other intergovernmental organizations in coordination with State Affairs policy team.

Use your skills to make an impact

Required Qualifications

• Candidate will need to live in Oklahoma City, OK area.
• Minimum of ten or more years of professional experience in state government, government affairs, campaigns, health policy and/or advocacy roles.
• Bachelors degree in relevant degree area, such as public policy, communications, health policy, political science, or business.
• Proven ability to create and implement advocacy campaigns directly relevant to state government, including clear record of achieving short and long term milestones as it relates to advancing policy, political and/or advocacy goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, and organizational skills, including an ability to write well under deadlines pressures.
• Keen understanding of how the legislative and regulatory process, along with the general state political/public policy environment, impacts business organizations.
• Experience working in a highly matrixed organization in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledgeable about Medicaid programs especially Oklahoma Medicaid.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree

Additional Information

• Solid understanding of relevant policy and regulatory issues and ability to translate complex issues in clear, concise manner to business leaders and policy team (technical and non-technical audiences)
• Experience working in a matrixed organization, with proven ability to work collaboratively through various departments and functional areas, promoting a culture of proactive teamwork.
• Strong conceptual and creative thinker with an ability to identify trends and interrelationships
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the polish, poise, and executive presence that will ensure effective interaction with senior and executive level audiences
• Strong creative problem-solving, negotiation, and multi-tasking skills in time-sensitive settings.
• Highly-developed interpersonal skills with ability to build strong working relationships, internally and externally.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Pay Range

The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.
$149,800 - $206,100 per year
This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.

Description of Benefits

Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, “Humana”) offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, volunteer time off, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.

About us

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers and our company. Through our Humana insurance services and CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment, all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.