Director, State Government Affairs

The Director of State Government Affairs will lead MRO’s advocacy and relationship-building efforts across key state markets. Reporting to the Vice President of Government Affairs, this role is responsible for managing contract lobbyists, strengthening state-level coalitions, and driving grassroots initiatives. The Director will play a pivotal role in shaping and influencing state legislation that impacts healthcare technology, data privacy, provider reimbursement, and interoperability; ensuring MRO’s policy priorities and business objectives are advanced effectively.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advocate with state government officials (Legislature, Governor’s office, Departments and/or Agencies) across key state markets.

• Implement and advance state-level strategic advocacy and relationship outreach to advance the company’s policy agenda, product, and business development objectives.

• Manage and direct the work of state-retained consultants, in collaboration with industry trade associations.

• Monitor and identify priority bills and issues in state legislatures that impact the company’s business and clients/customers.

• Collaborate with the internal government affairs policy lead and business unit subject matter experts to successfully influence the development of state legislative and regulatory activity to create business opportunities and mitigate operational and regulatory challenges.

• Develop strategies for coalition development and engagement with key health care technology stakeholders and health care system/provider customers to advance the company’s state advocacy agenda.

• Identify/manage opportunities for ongoing and targeted engagements with state elected officials (including site visits), underscoring the company’s value proposition and role as a solutions-oriented organization.

• Represent the company at state-focused trade associations, coalitions, and workgroup meetings.

• Lead grassroots efforts with trade associations, coalition allies, and customer partners at the state level.

• Coordinate and work cross-functionally with internal business units and policy lead to support state advocacy campaigns.

• Monitor political landscape shifts in state markets.

• Track and assess the impact of state-level legislative and regulatory activity.

SKILLS|EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required; RHIA, MPH, MPA, JD preferred
• 8+ years of experience in state government, state government affairs, advocacy, coalition-building, or state policy roles.
• Extensive experience managing multiple external stakeholders and vendors.
• Proven ability to create and implement advocacy campaigns directly relevant to state government, with a clear record of achieving short- and long-term milestones related to advancing policy and advocacy goals.
• Deep familiarity with health care technology related to hospitals, health systems and providers. 
• Keen understanding of state capital legislative and regulatory processes, along with the general state political/public policy environment impacting business organizations.
• Solid understanding of relevant policy and regulatory issues, with the ability to translate complex issues clearly and concisely to business unit leaders and customers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including executive presence that ensures effective interaction with senior and executive-level audiences.
• Strong creative problem-solving, negotiation, and multi-tasking skills in time-sensitive settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, and organizational skills, including the ability to communicate under deadline pressure.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong working relationships, internally and externally.
• Willingness to travel.