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Government Affairs Manager

AT The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Government Affairs Manager

Boston, MA

Job Description

About the Agency

The Group Insurance Commission (GIC) seeks to hire a Government Affairs Manager (Administrator IV). We provide high-value health insurance and other benefits to state employees, retirees, and their survivors and dependents. The GIC also covers housing and redevelopment authorities as well as certain municipalities that elect to join the GIC. The agency works with vendors selected through competitive bidding to offer cost-effective benefits produced with careful plan design and rigorous ongoing management. The agency's performance goals are to provide affordable, high-quality benefits and, as the largest employer purchaser of health insurance in the Commonwealth, to use that position to drive improvements in the health care system.

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The GIC administers the Commonwealth's health, life, long term disability, flexible spending accounts, dental and vision insurance programs for some 435,000 state employees, retirees, and their dependents.

Position Overview

The Government Affairs Manager is assigned to the executive department and works under the direction of the Deputy Executive Director to develop and execute the agency's overall external affairs and engagement strategy in alignment with its broader business objectives.

Major Responsibilities

  • Develop legislative and municipal affairs strategy and related processes for reporting to leadership.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with colleagues, legislators, staff and key stakeholders.
  • Monitor, track and analyze proposed legislation, and prepare responses to Legislators, as needed.
  • Brief the Deputy Executive Director (and senior leadership team as needed) on legislative and municipal items requiring agency attention and engagement, both pro-and-reactively.
  • In partnership with the Deputy Executive Director, meet with external stakeholder groups; including public and elected officials, public employees, retirement groups, organized labor, and vendors.
  • Confer with agency colleagues regarding issues within the assigned scope of responsibility.
  • Attend hearings and legislative sessions as needed.
  • Develop coalitions and alliances with related state agencies with similar objectives.
  • Draft legislation and research legal issues, in partnership with General Counsel.


  • Partner with Director of Communications on the development of key messages and materials related to legislation and public policy.
  • Support Deputy Executive Director in overall external affairs and stakeholder engagement, along with other projects as needed.
  • Perform other duties as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

  • Experience working with State and Municipal Government
  • Deep understanding of the Massachusetts Legislature and Legislative processes
  • Strong, demonstrated experience with relationship cultivation and maintenance
  • Demonstrated proficiency in both written and oral communication
  • Ability to seamlessly navigate from strategy to execution
  • Ability to own and execute government affairs initiatives end-to-end, including project and vendor management where appropriate.
  • Familiarity and comfort with building and executing stakeholder and member engagement frameworks and tactics
  • Healthcare background and Massachusetts state and/or local government experience strongly preferred
  • Evident desire to learn, take initiative, and grow
  • Collaborative and team-oriented spirit


Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) four (4) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

II. An Associate's degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

III. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

IV. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.

V. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Client-provided location(s): Boston, MA, USA
Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-240004DF
Employment Type: Full Time

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Health Reimbursement Account
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • FSA
    • HSA
    • Mental Health Benefits
  • Parental Benefits

    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Personal/Sick Days
    • Volunteer Time Off
  • Financial and Retirement

    • Pension
    • Financial Counseling
  • Professional Development

    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program