VP Public Affairs

The Vice President of Public Affairs serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, a recognized thought leader, and trusted partner to Medica's stakeholders. This new position will create synergies between the organization's corporate strategy and the dynamic public affairs environment across the region and U.S. By leading the development and growth of the Public Affairs capability, this role is responsible for implementing strategies to advance the organization's reputation and influence, and for fostering durable relationships with stakeholders, including Medica business leaders and the Communication's team, as well as policymakers, community leaders, and other key partners. This dynamic leader will navigate complex issues, drive strategic initiatives, and serve as a key external face of the organization, necessitating an impeccable reputation.

With their close interactions with the senior leadership team, Board of Directors, policymakers, trade associations, and consumer advocates, this individual will ensure Medica engages with key stakeholders in a way that represents and is consistent with Medica's Mission and Purpose.

The ideal candidate will have appropriate leadership experience in both public affairs and communications and possess the capacity to grasp key details while communicating strategically at the appropriate level. Having the ability to move seamlessly between a senior leader and technical staff, this person will be able to analyze the economic, financial and actuarial, and risk implications of issues while developing strategies, and communications plans with appropriate political nuance.

Key Accountabilities:

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute a comprehensive public affairs strategy that advances Medica's business goals and mission while also enhancing its reputation.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, CLO, Board of Directors, and other senior leaders and guide industry leaders on policy communications and industry positioning.
• Partner with the business to proactively identify key public affairs risks and implement appropriate mitigation efforts.
• Develop public relations strategies in partnership with Medica's Communications team to support the Public Affairs strategy, influence policymakers and thought and opinion leaders and activate key stakeholder organizations.
• Create and champion community engagement strategies that foster social impact and strengthen Medica's reputation by building relationships with key community leaders and organizations.
• Support and coordinate strategies with legal and compliance on disputed regulatory matters and/or inquiries.

Advocacy, Policy Development, and Regulatory Compliance

• Develop and implement health policy strategies that support business goals and leverage trade associations and other key partners to influence state legislatures and the Congress, state and federal agencies/regulatory bodies including administrative agencies, and state attorneys general. Lead related government relations efforts.
• Actively monitor the public affairs landscape and adapt to changing opportunities to extend the organization's influence.
• Analyze and proactively influence legislation with meaningful impact to the enterprise.
• Develop and lead the organization's regulatory advocacy strategy, and influence state insurance departments and other regulatory bodies.
• Assess and advise executive leadership (including the CEO) and the business on existing and emerging regulatory frameworks applicable to business operations and strategic goals.
• Support regulatory compliance and help facilitate implementation of new business rules and clarify regulatory gaps.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the trusted face and voice of Medica and establish strong government relations connections with key stakeholders, including policymakers, trade associations, interest groups and partners, and community leaders.
• Lead a team of public affairs professionals focused on enhancing stakeholder engagement and expanding external partnerships that further the organization's influence and reputation.
• Represent the organization's policy positions to various public entities including partner organizations, business development partners, members and prospects, and other interested parties.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders on business risks related to markets, products, programs, or processes and help identify win/win solutions.

Community Engagement

• Oversee and facilitate organizational alignment across Medica's corporate social responsibility initiatives, including corporate community giving.
• Create and champion engagement strategies that support Medica's corporate social responsibility initiatives and align the company's values with community engagement, fostering positive brand image, employee satisfaction and societal impact.
• Collaborate with market leaders to drive community initiatives with measurable social impact by aligning and mobilizing cross-functionally across the advocacy, business, Communications, and community engagement teams.

Leadership and Team Development

• Direct the work of the Public Affairs team and support the team's growth and development.
• Create synergies that maximize the influence and impact of advocacy (Public Policy and Government Relations), communications, and community engagement teams by fostering collaboration with internal leaders and external stakeholders.
• Support the organization's efforts in executing its strategic plan consistent with its Mission and Purpose.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required (Masters or Law degree preferred)
• 10+ years of related professional experience in the areas of: Public Affairs and/or Government Affairs, Communications, Community Relations or related functions, including health care policy. (Such experience in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska is a plus.)
• 5+ years of related management experience in the areas of: Public Affairs and/or Government Affairs, Communications, Community Relations, including health care policy. (Such experience in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska is a plus.)
• An established record collaborating with senior executives and leaders, knowledge of board governance matters, and experience interacting with a board of directors.
• An established record building and maintaining relationships with policymakers, senior government staff and lobbying and advocacy organizations, across the political spectrum.
• Experience in a legislative environment and a strong understanding of Congress, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures.
• Experience working directly in support of clients and prospects by providing in-depth expertise on specific client industries and their health care needs and interests.
• Health industry experience that includes knowledge around pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, hospital systems, care delivery, insurance, access issues, value based care, and health equity and social determinants of health. Experience in other emerging industries such as Artificial Intelligence and cyber security/privacy, is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills - ability to clearly, confidently, and convincingly present analyses, policy positions and financial implications.
• Collaborative work style. Understands the importance of policy "win/wins" and gaining partnership and agreement.
• Strong communication skills - ability to articulate a variety of issues to different audiences and tailor the messages.
• Inspires openness and trust among colleagues. Acts with the discretion and empathy inherent in the mix of politics and health care policy.
• Demonstrates ability to respond to changing and sometime ambiguous situations.
• Brings regulatory insights/trends to the organization in a manner that anticipates risks and pivots seamlessly to mitigation strategies.
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent Judgment
• Ability to present company position persuasively
• Strong relationship building skills
• Effective project management abilities
• Solid presentation skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to assimilate information from various sources and recommend courses of action

This position is an Office role, which requires an employee to work from the designated office, Minnetonka MN, on average, 3+ times per week.

The full base pay salary range for this position is $244,000 - $366,000. Annual base pay salary range placement will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, education, work experience, applicable certifications and or licensures, the position's scope and responsibility, internal pay equity and external market salary data.

In addition to base compensation, this position is eligible for Medica's Short Term Incentive plan, Long Term Incentive plan and our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

Medica offers a generous total rewards package that includes competitive medical, dental, vision, executive life insurance, Self-Managed Time Off, Holidays, paid volunteer time off, 401K contributions, caregiver services and many other benefits to support our employees.

The compensation and benefits information is provided as of the date of this posting. Medica's compensation and benefits are subject to change at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Medica's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) includes unifying our workforce through learning and development, recruitment and retention. We consistently communicate the importance of DEI, celebrate achievements, and seek out community partnerships and diverse suppliers that are representative of everyone in our community. We are developing sustainable programs and investing time, talent and resources to ensure that we are living our values. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, where all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment indiscriminate of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.