Director of Government Relations

SCI Summary: SCI supports people with disabilities, behavioral challenges, medically complex needs, transitioning youth, the elderly, and other populations using Maryland Department of Health's Targeted Case Management and Supports Planning work models.

Position Summary: The Director of Government Relations will play a crucial role in the newly established Government Relations Center of Excellence (GRCOE) at Service Coordination, Inc. The Director will work closely with the VP of Government Relations to build capacity within the GRCOE for robust federal and state advocacy. The Director will support the organization's efforts to advance its mission by building strategic relationships, mobilizing stakeholders and influencing public policy. This role focuses on executing legislative, regulatory, and public affairs strategies aligned with SCI's priorities and the needs of the communities we serve. The position is remote and will require periodic in-person attendance at meetings and events in Washington, D.C., Annapolis and other areas within Maryland.

SCI Team Member Expectations: All SCI Team Members are expected to: Ensure services provided follow the organization's mission statement, core operating values and policies and procedures, follow HIPAA, confidentiality and security procedures and principles; collaborate with peers, leadership, and support areas of the organization; actively participate in and contribute to leadership and other staff meetings and trainings; maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; follow self-direction and person-centered planning procedures and philosophy; and to foster a culture that values diversity.

Essential Duties:
Collaborate with other SCI Centers of Excellence to develop and implement advocacy strategies and tactics aligned with organizational goals and policy priorities.
Support the Government Relations Center of Excellence with operations, management and administrative tasks.
Design and deliver training programs for Team Members and other stakeholders on policy and advocacy topics.
Organize and facilitate SCI's participation in lobby days and other advocacy outreach efforts, in-person and virtually.
Engage and mobilize stakeholders, including Team Members, people supported, and other grassroots supporters, to participate in advocacy initiatives and amplify their voices.

Facilitate engagement and partnerships with national and state coalitions, advocacy organizations, trade associations, community groups, and health and human services networks to expand the organization's impact and meet SCI policy goals.
Represent SCI at key legislative and coalition meetings, participating in coalitions to advance SCI public policy positions, and overseeing coalition participation by department staff.
Engage with the U.S. Congress, federal agencies (e.g., HHS, CMS), state legislators, local and state government officials, and other regulatory bodies to influence policy decisions, advocate for people supported, and achieve organizational priorities and policy objectives.
Develop and strengthen bipartisan relationships with policymakers, regulatory officials, advocacy coalitions and other stakeholders.
Review and analyze federal, state, and local policy affecting the health and human services sector.
Draft position papers, policy recommendations, advocacy materials and other products to support federal and state advocacy and education.
Collaborate across SCI to develop and disseminate advocacy messaging that aligns with organizational goals and policy priorities.
Present to large audiences, including at conferences, webinars, and other events.
Collaborate with policy consultants, including state and federal lobbyists, and manage associated tasks.
Manage budgets and resources to ensure efficient and impactful advocacy initiatives.
May be required to register as a lobbyist.
Other duties as assigned to meet the goals of the Government Relations Center of Excellence and SCI.

Supervisory Duties:
Manage and supervise Team Members and work assigned to federal and state policy consultants/ contracted lobby firms.
Provide strategic guidance to leadership on public policy, advocacy, and developments.

Education Required:
Bachelor's degree in public policy, government relations, social work, human services, or related fields required.
Advanced degree (JD, MS, MSW, MPH, MBA, MPP) preferred.

Experience Required:
10+ years in community engagement, outreach, public policy, government relations, advocacy, or legislative affairs, with a demonstrated ability to mobilize stakeholders to influence policy decisions at federal, state, or local levels.
Progressive experience working in policy-focused non-profit, membership associations and government leadership roles.
Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare and Home and Community Based Services and the state and federal agencies who administer these services will be helpful.
Experience managing and supervising direct reports.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent command of English language with a high level of oral, reading, and written comprehension.

SCI Value Related Competencies:
People Come First (Customer Focus): Thinks and acts with people we support in mind when making decisions. Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external shareholders, uses information and feedback to improve services.
Building Relationships and Connections: Interpersonal savvy. Relates to all kinds of people. Builds appropriate rapport, uses diplomacy and tact, diffuses high-tension situations comfortably. Establishes and maintains meaningful connections within the community and the organization (internal and external stakeholders)
Education (Informing Others): Quickly finds common ground to solve problems. Is seen as a cooperative team player. Provides coaching and mentoring to Team Members. Consistent communicator, provides Team Members with the tools they need to perform their jobs in a timely manner. Explores all available options to make the best decision for internal and external holders
Diversity: Values, appreciates and honors the ways in which cultural differences can create value in organizations. Is service oriented: Demonstrates a commitment to the philosophies for services and the goal of independence for the people we serve. Raises awareness in communities to appreciate the similarities and unique gifts of each person. Interacts with all kinds of Team Members equitably, deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages, and genders, supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all.
Driving Solutions (Perseverance): Pursues all initiatives with energy, drive, and the goal to succeed.

Job-Specific Competencies:
Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
Persuades: Using compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems
Balances Stakeholders: Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders
Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm
Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear
Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
Organizational Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics
Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies
Directs Work: Providing direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done
Builds Networks: Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization
Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder
Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward

Physical Demands: Generally, presents standard office environment. Must be able to remain in a stationary position >95% of the time. Continually operates a computer, keyboard and mouse, and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, printer, and mobile Smartphone device. Constantly positions self to comfortably maintain computer equipment. May occasionally be required to move about in an office setting or position office equipment weighing between 10-25 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Ability to operate a motor vehicle. The person in this position frequently communicates with other people. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
IT Roles must be able to position self to maintain computers and equipment, including under desks and in server room(s). Frequently moves equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. This job description is subject to change at any time.

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Disclaimer: The recruitment process is approved by Service Coordination Inc.’s (SCI) Team Member Experience Advisory Committee and subject to change based on business needs.

SCI is an equal opportunity employer and committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, hair texture or protected hairstyle, veteran status, or genetic information. SCI is also committed to providing equal opportunity and access to individuals with disabilities by ensuring reasonable accommodations are provided to participants in the job application or interview process. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Kathryn Eckert at ... or ....

SCI is committed to fostering a safe and productive workplace for all Team Members and individuals engaged in business with the organization. As such, all positions require the completion and passing of a 9-Panel Drug Screening within 48 hours after accepting an offer of employment. A 9-Panel Drug Screening tests for illegal drugs within the State of Maryland.

SCI does not sponsor for immigration, including for H-1B, TN, and other non-immigrant visas, for this role.