AVP, Federal Government Relations

Job Summary:

The AVP of Federal Government Relations is a leadership position with responsibility to shape the Society's federal policy agenda and lead the Society's strategy for advancing all policy issues in Congress and in the federal regulatory environment. The position is responsible for increasing our influence and reputation through relationships with key leaders and stakeholders across the Legislative and Executive Branches.

Main Responsibilities:

Legislative and Regulatory Leadership

• Lead and implement comprehensive legislative and regulatory strategies addressing a broad range of policy issues, including policy related to healthcare access, access to medications, and federal appropriations.

• Manage a personal portfolio of policy issues, develop strategic positions and lead advocacy efforts to support individuals affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).

• Design and execute advocacy strategies such as congressional meetings, coalition engagement, grassroots mobilization, and the preparation of legislative testimony and comments.

• Cultivate and sustain influential relationships with Capitol Hill and Executive Branch stakeholders to ensure the Society's policy positions are respected and impactful.

• Lead the Federal Advocacy Team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and prioritization to maximize policy influence and resource allocation.

• Oversee regulatory engagement strategies with key federal agencies including the FDA, NIH, CMS, and the Department of Defense to advance the Society's mission and policy goals.

Strategic Partnerships and Relationships

• Manage the federal advocacy budget and lead a team of direct reports.

• Provide strategic leadership across departmental initiatives, including participation in leadership teams and guiding the planning and execution of major advocacy events such as the Public Policy Conference and virtual MS Activist engagement.

• Collaborate with internal leaders across research, healthcare access, and support services to integrate data and lived experiences into advocacy messaging and policy implementation.

• Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with key stakeholders in Congress, federal agencies (e.g., FDA, NIH, CMS, DoD), and influential coalitions, often serving in leadership roles to advance the Society's priorities. Capitol Hill stakeholders include those holding relevant committee or leadership positions, potential and current legislative champions, and the leadership of the Congressional MS Caucus.

• Work with the VP of Advocacy to engage the Society's Activism Advisory Committee and work closely with the Activist Engagement Team to mobilize grassroots support for federal policy initiatives.

• Lead communication efforts to translate complex policy issues into accessible messages for diverse audiences, leveraging traditional and digital media, personal stories, and advocacy content to drive impact.

Job Requirements:

Required qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible management experience, including leadership experience.

• Master's degree in public health, public policy or similar or equivalent experience/degree preferred.

• Knowledge of the healthcare system, health policy and the legislative process, including federal appropriations. Strong experience working with Capitol Hill and/or direct responsibility for lobbying Congress.

• Knowledge of access to coverage issues, access to medications issues, biomedical research pipeline, disability and non-profit issues is a plus.

• Experience with advocacy issue management and tactics.

• Excellent relationship building skills and experience in public speaking.

• Strong oral and written presentation skills, including the ability to write technical responses to the government, such as testimony, support letters, etc.

• Knowledge and strong competencies with technology tools including the Microsoft Office suite and web-based presentation skills.

• Knowledge of constituent relationship management (i.e. Salesforce) a plus.

• Ability to travel and work occasional nights and weekends to support advocacy needs, events, committee meetings, etc.

• Ability to measure impact.

• Experience with bill tracking tools and lobbyist reporting preferred.

Physical & Work Environment Demands:

All positions:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be provided to support individuals with disabilities in performing the essential functions.

• Work is primarily performed remotely, however, when possible and necessary, teams meet in person to conduct the business of the organization and build team relationships.

• This position will operate a computer and view the computer screen for 7-8 hours per day; finger dexterity for typing and use of a mouse or pointer device and the ability to see clearly at close range (with or without correction lenses) for detailed work on screen are required.

• This position will need to use telephone and video conferencing technology; ability to communicate digitally is required.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, and kneel.

• Light to moderate lifting may be required.

• Regular, predictable attendance is required.

• Additional hours may be required, which may include evening and weekend events as well as local market engagement.

• Support and attendance of both indoor and outdoor in-person events to assist with setup, execution, and teardown, which may include exposure to various weather elements and the need to lift/move up to 25 lbs.

Field-based roles:

• This role is market-based and requires regular, in-person attendance at meetings, constituent interactions, and events as well as travel (much of it within the DC area) as required and necessary up to approximately 50% of the work time. This role involves spending time on Capitol Hill, and attending in-person meetings and events, including coalition meetings and more. During the remaining time, work is primarily conducted remotely from either a home office or a National MS Society workspace (Society workspace not provided in all geographies).

• Must be able to transport materials, supplies, and equipment to and from meetings and events/programs, utilizing reliable transportation, which may include public transit, while ensuring the ability to manage and carry necessary items.

• Must be able to work evening and weekend meetings, events and programs.

• Ability to lift and/or move large and potentially heavy items (such as boxes, signs, or equipment). Personal knowledge of one's own physical limitations, and the ability to communicate them, around lifting and moving objects is required.

• Ability to work as a team and help others with heavier items including breaking them down into smaller components or providing additional assistance before lifting and/or moving.

• Must be willing and able to travel through geographic service area; Travel requirements required outside of your home office may be up to 50% or more.

Compensation & Benefits:

The estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $125,000 - $150,000. Final offers will be based on the candidate'sgeographic location, consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors.

You will have the opportunity for a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package that the Society provides to employees. Your benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Commuter Benefit Plan; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings. You will join an incredible mission focused team of people!