Public Affairs Manager

Job Description Summary

Manages impactful public affairs campaigns to advance BCBSA’s policy solutions. Supports the strategic development of external initiatives that engage allies and influence policymakers, press, and the public. Manages the implementation, tracking, and reporting of campaign programs, actions, and results, including with member plans, partners, and association leadership. Supports external engagement and represents BCBSA with current and potential partners, working with other trade associations, political groups, industry leaders, and allies. Supports cross-functional coordination to achieve team goals, as well as company-wide initiatives, including CEO- and Board-driven priorities.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Campaigns. Supports public affairs initiatives to educate and inform decisionmakers, voters, industry leaders, and media on BCBSA's top policy and political objectives. Supports strategic development of new and/or expanded campaign efforts that includes field advocacy, constituent activation, Beltway advertising, media coordination, and Capitol Hill events. Helps manage external consultants, including vendor selection, strategic planning, goal setting, campaign tactics, targeting, tracking results, and reporting. Creates and reviews campaign resources, such as talking points, background material, LTEs, op/eds, reports, research, issue briefs, and ad scripts, to ensure they are impactful and align with policy and political goals. Communicates with member Plans and internal staff on planning, programs, and progress to share critical information, providing direction and guidance on recommended responses/actions, and mobilizing involvement to achieve objectives.
• Coalitions. Represents BCBSA at external coalition and partnership engagements, ensuring that BCBSA's policy positions are effectively represented. Builds, strengthens, and expands networking relationships with key partners and potential allies to advance collective priorities. Explores strategic opportunities with creative thinking. Leads sign-on letter requests. Supports events/meetings with external partners and leads events organized by BCBSA. Organizes and tracks external engagement. Shares programs, plans, and progress with colleagues and leadership.
• Knowledge. Maintains a strong working knowledge of key political issues, legislative and regulatory developments, and policy priorities, to effectively represent BCBSA externally as well as update and collaborate with colleagues internally. Attends briefings and events to stay current on ever-changing issues, dynamics, and tactics.
• Internal. Works with internal teams on contracts, payment, and budget tracking. Works with legal and brand teams for material review. Closely collaborates with communications, policy, lobbying, business, clinical affairs, and governance to move cross-functional initiatives forward, including CEO- and Board-level priorities. Supports strategic goal setting and tracks key metrics for program reporting.
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Required Education, Certifications And Experience

• Bachelors Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Political Management, Communications or related focus
• Public affairs, political/congressional relations, Capitol Hill, third-party advocacy
• Collaborative team player an absolute must
• Political and/or campaign experience preferred
• Strong writing, editing, presentation and interpersonal skills essential
• Understanding of leading health policy/regulatory issues
• Strong experience in project and program management, including goal setting, strategic planning, implementation and tracking
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects
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People Management No