Under the general direction of the Executive Vice-President for Public Policy & Government Relations, the Senior Director of Federal Relations advances The Joint Commission’s legislative and public policy agenda by: 1) developing strategies to establish and maintain relationships with legislators, executive branch federal officials and their staff, and other national health care policymakers who influence The Joint Commission’s work; 2) helping to ensure that policy makers understand and appreciate the Joint Commission’s role and contributions to national efforts aimed at improving healthcare quality and patient safety; 3) identifying opportunities to add new or to improve upon existing, partnerships and relationships with a diversity of federal policy makers; 4) initiating and implementing the Joint Commission’s advocacy agenda; and 5) directing the work of federal relations staff.  The Senior Director of Federal Relations may also help with budget functions of the Department.

1. Supervises professional Federal Relations staff. Directs staff in their roles by making work assignments and helping staff manage their priorities, responsibilities, and attendance at meetings.  Ensures that important federal policy meetings and initiatives are covered by staff and that timely reports are made to management.
2. Identifies key legislative and public policy issues of importance to the work and mission of The Joint Commission and develops strategies to mitigate any potential problem areas. Uses judgment to alert Joint Commission leadership of pending problems and presents effective solutions.
3. As necessary, oversees staff preparation and prepares amendments to legislative proposals and comments on proposed regulations to protect and enhance accreditation-related activities.
4. Identifies new opportunities to grow The Joint Commission’s portfolio of government partnerships, recognition programs, and contracts. Identifies and suggests new opportunities for the Joint Commission to improve upon existing public partnerships to enhance the reach of the Joint Commission’s mission.
5. Under the general direction of EVP, leads the federal relations portfolio by engaging in new policy work to further The Joint Commission’s mission. Consults with congressional and executive branch officials. Ensures that the Joint Commission stays important and stays in high regard to national policymakers through organizing meetings and relationship building.
6. Leads and shapes The Joint Commission’s government relations offices responses to various federal oversight activities.
7. Develops and implements, with guidance from the EVP, the short and long-term legislative and public policy goals that promote the Joint Commission’s mission. Helps formulate the Joint Commission’s annual federal advocacy agenda and develops strategies and tactics to carry out its activities, including working with outside contractors, to effectively implement the agenda.  
8. Along with EVP, directs and manages government relations staff regular consultation with executive and legislative branch officials involved in national health care policy formulation on issues that are important to the Joint Commission and helps promote awareness and appreciation of the Joint Commission’s activities and role in ensuring high quality health care for the public. Ensures the development of strategies and agendas for meetings with federal officials, members of Congress and their legislative staff, and coordinates participation in these meetings with other Joint Commission representatives as needed.
9. Responds to internal inquiries concerning The Joint Commission’s government responsibilities, provides advice on governmental regulations, and processes requests to the government on behalf of Joint Commission program staff.
10. Analyzes regulations and statutory language and manages government relations staff summaries noting importance to The Joint Commission’s mission and programs.
11. Assists staff in developing mechanisms to stay fully informed on federal legislative and regulatory issues related to health care quality and safety. Keeps Joint Commission leadership and staff informed of federal changes that will affect their work.  Directs efforts to analyze proposed regulations and legislation to assess their effects on The Joint Commission’s programs and mission.

• Master’s degree in health care administration, public health, government, public policy or law degree is required.
• Increasingly visible experience in federal relations or national policy work. Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a health care/ health care policy, some of that experience in the federal government, either the legislative or executive branch.  
• Ability to maintain currency on a broad array of health care issues, legislation and regulations, statutes, and public policies in order to represent The Joint Commission in a variety of high-profile venues.
• Ability to both analyze and synthesize complex legislation and regulations quickly and accurately. Strong writing skills, and experience with drafting letters in responses to proposed regulations. Ability to integrate diverse sources of information and develop suggestions for Joint Commissions policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates astute political judgment and ability to respect confidential trusts in order to be able to advise leadership on sensitive issues.
• Proven management skills. Excellent mentoring and coaching skills.
• Demonstrates ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of regulatory, governmental, professional and other senior level representatives concerning health care issues.
• Written and oral communication skills necessary to effectively present information and ideas in proposals, position papers, and written communication.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package. For a complete overview of our benefits package, please visit our Joint Commission Career Page 

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. The description is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities, and working conditions associated with this position. All requirements are subject to possible modification and reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.