Director, Congressional Affairs

American Academy of Dermatology; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Hybrid work environment

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The American Academy of Dermatology in Washington, DC, seeks a Director of Congressional Affairs to lead the federal legislative team and advance advocacy priorities. You will develop policy positions, manage lobbying activities, and collaborate across divisions to pursue strategic initiatives that advance dermatology care and patient interests.

The role requires extensive experience in health policy, government affairs, and leadership, with responsibilities spanning liaison work, committee

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, health policy, or related field.
• Minimum twelve years relevant experience with government and/or private sector advocacy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health policy and government affairs.
• Experience in a federal congressional office preferred.
• Significant people management experience (8+ years).
• Strong relationships with Members of Congress and staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Academy’s federal legislative activities and team, including lobbying consultants.
• Develop federal advocacy positions with physician leaders and staff based on available research.
• Collaborate on strategies related to the SkinPAC disbursements to federal candidates.
• Educate Members of Congress and key staff on the Academy’s position; maintain liaison with congressional staff and related groups.
• Collaborate on the annual Legislative Conference with Advocacy Engagment staff.
• Draft and contribute to policy statements, legislative testimony, and regulatory comments.
• Present updates to Academy leadership and participate in events as needed.
• Coordinate strategic and financial goals with Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Policy.

Skills

Leadership

Policy knowledge

Strategic development

Communication

Collaboration

Decision making

Budget management

People management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

The American Academy of Dermatology is seeking a Director, Congressional Affairs located in our Washington, DC. office responsible for leading the Academy’s federal legislative team in the development and implementation of federal legislative policy goals, objectives, and related strategies to promote the Academy’s advocacy priorities. Partner and collaborate with staff to pursue strategies to engage Academy leadership and members to advance the interests of dermatology, dermatologists, practices, and patients. Contribute to planning and implementing Academy strategic initiatives including working collaboratively across the organization to further the Academy’s mission by integrating congressional, activities with those of the Advocacy & Policy division and the Academy. Participate in the overall management, direction and success of the Advocacy & Policy Division.

About Us:

The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. A sister organization to the Academy, the American Academy of Dermatology Association is the resource for government affairs, health policy and practice information for dermatologists, and plays a major role in formulating policies that can enhance the quality of dermatologic care.

With a membership of more than 21,000 members worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin.

To learn more about the Academy please visit our website at www.aad.org, or follow us on these social media outlets:

• TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@AADskin)
• Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/AADskin)

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Academy’s federal legislative activities and team, including lobbying consultants. Generate, identify, and prioritize policy-related issues that impact the Academy and its members. Monitor and direct lobbying efforts for all federal legislation that has the potential to affect dermatologic care, patients, and practices. Accountable for accurate and timely filing of required lobbying disclosure reports.
• Develop federal advocacy positions, working with physician leaders and staff, and based on available research of issues related to dermatology and the broader health care environment. Direct and manage the drafting of policy statements and legislative language as needed.
• Collaborate with Associate Director, Advocacy Engagement to develop and execute strategies and initiatives related to the Academy’s political action committee (SkinPAC) disbursements to federal candidates.
• Educate Members of Congress and key staff regarding the Academy’s position on relevant issues. Establish and maintain liaison with key congressional staff, medical specialty and state societies, dermatology subspecialty groups, patient groups, and other organizations responsible for and interested in policies and programs that affect the practice of dermatology. Cultivate, facilitate, and coordinate member contacts with Members of Congress and key staff. Represent the AADA at political events and other relevant outside activities.
• Partner with Associate Director, Advocacy Engagement on AADA’s grassroots outreach and development program. Collaborate with AADA staff to execute annual Legislative Conference.
• Draft and/or contribute to Academy policy statements, legislative testimony, and regulatory comments when appropriate. Respond to inquiries from Congress, government agencies or other organizations or individuals as appropriate. Respond to requests and inquiries from members of the Academy. Work with Communications Department to report on legislative and political activities to membership and respond to related media inquiries.
• Present and report to Academy leadership through regular written updates and through other venues, including conference calls, in-person meetings, state society meetings as needed and appropriate, on pertinent issues and developments.
• Collaborate with Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Policy in the assessment and development of strategic and financial goals that relate to Advocacy & Policy and the overall Academy mission. Develop and execute approved plans targeted to business strategies and initiatives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred, preferably in political science, public administration, health policy, or related field.
• Minimum twelve years relevant experience with government and/or private sector advocacy is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health policy and government affairs.
• Experience in a federal congressional office preferred.
• Demonstrated progressive managerial experience required.
• Extensive experience and established relationships working with members of Congress and their staff, in particular with key health care committees.
• Experience working on complex health care policy issues, with a working knowledge of Medicare, health system reform and appropriations preferred.
• Knowledge of relevant LDA rules and filing requirements for lobbying essential.
• Minimum of 8 years of people management including leading, mentoring, and coaching direct and indirect reports.
• Collaboration – Establishes and maintains effective work relationships, works cooperatively in group situations. Offers assistance and support to coworkers.
• Communication – Apply effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication methods to achieve desired results. Respond intelligently to standard business correspondence. Demonstrate sufficient business vocabulary to communicate effectively.
• Decision Making – Able to exercise discretion and independent judgment to understand issues, identify problems and opportunities to determine the appropriate course of action. Demonstrate sound decision-making skills with an increasing number of alternatives to be reviewed by management.
• Evaluation of Results Against Organizational Goals – Assess how well workplace performance, learning strategies, and results match organizational goals and strategic intent.
• Finance and Accounting – Assist with preparing, managing, and monitoring budget and expenses.
• Integrity – Demonstrate personal integrity in all interactions. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Leadership – Lead, influence, and coach others to help them achieve desired results. Consider and respond appropriately to the needs and feelings of others; treat others equitably.
• Strategic Development – Create strategies and contingency plans that allow the organization to have a competitive advantage.

We offer a competitive compensation plan and benefits package.

• medical/dental/vision/life insurance
• matching retirement contribution
• tuition reimbursement
• bonus program
• pension plan
• paid vacation/medical/personal days
• work-life balance
• recognition program
• casual work environment

The Academy offers a hybrid work environment; providing time in the office for in-person collaboration and the opportunity to work remotely for focus time. We are building a workplace where our employees are excited to come to work every day because of the culture that we are creating together — one of respect, transparency, and collaboration. A workplace in which we demonstrate care and commitment, celebration, community, and focused learning that contributes to the mission of advancing excellence in dermatologic care.

EOE M/F/D/V