Director of State Government Relations

Centerstone; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision health

403b retirement plan with company

Paid time off and ten paid holidays

Employee Resource Groups

Continuing education opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Centerstone, a leading nonprofit behavioral health system based in Indianapolis, seeks a Director of State Government Relations to lead Indiana’s policy strategy and engagement with policymakers and advocacy groups. The role requires a strategic, senior-level professional with deep state political insight and the ability to translate complex policy into actionable plans.

The director will travel to the State Capitol, collaborate with CEOs across markets, and mentor teams while maintaining strong

Qualifications

• 10+ years of government relations/state policy experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in policy related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to travel to the State Capitol and across Indiana as required.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to advise CEOs and executive teams on state legislative matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive state government relations strategy.
• Manage policy and legislative agenda for key state markets.
• Advise market CEOs and executive teams on state legislative and regulatory matters, including risks and opportunities.
• Provide strategic policy updates and briefings to the Board of Directors and executive leadership.
• Represent Centerstone to state government officials and external stakeholders.
• Engage with elected officials, state agencies, and associations to influence healthcare policy.
• Develop state-specific government affairs strategies reflecting political and regulatory landscapes.
• Oversee lobbying efforts and relationships with external consultants and advocacy partners.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in policy-related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!

Job Description

Position Summary

The Director of State Government Relations leads Centerstone's state legislative and regulatory strategy in support of the organization’s mission to deliver care that changes lives. Serving as Centerstone’s primary government relations leader in the state, the Director manages relationships with policymakers, contract lobbyists, advocacy organizations, and internal leaders to advance key policy priorities.

This role is ideal for a highly experienced government relations professional who understands the state’s political, legislative, regulatory, and healthcare landscape and can translate complex policy developments into clear organizational strategies. The Director will also provide strategic legislative support to other states within the Centerstone system, representing up to 20% of the role’s responsibilities.

Candidates must live within a one-hour commute from the Indiana State Capitol. The position requires frequent travel to the State Capitol during the legislative session, occasional travel throughout the state, and periodic out-of-state travel.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive state government relations strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Manage the policy and legislative agenda and activities for key state markets.
• Serve as an advisor to market CEOs and executive teams on state legislative and regulatory matters, including risks and opportunities.
• Provide strategic policy updates and briefings to the Board of Directors and executive leadership.
• Serve as the primary liaison to state government officials, associations, and other external stakeholders.
• Engage with elected officials and staff, state agencies and state associations to influence healthcare policy.
• Develop and implement tailored, state-specific government affairs strategies that reflect the unique political, regulatory, and healthcare landscapes.
• Oversee lobbying efforts and manage relationships with external consultants and advocacy partners.
• Anticipate and respond to emerging policy trends that impact healthcare delivery, behavioral health, substance use, and FQHC operations.
• Monitor, research, and analyze legislative and regulatory developments; assess their impact on organizational operations and communicate findings to relevant internal audiences.
• Represent the organization at the state capitol, including a strong in-person presence during the legislative session.
• Collaborate with regional and clinical leaders to align legislative strategies with local priorities and stakeholder interests.
• Represent the System in coalitions, workgroups, and public forums to advocate for policy positions that support the System’s mission and goals.
• Leads in drafting comments for state and/or federal regulatory RFIs.
• Leads in identifying and developing content for Centerstone’s communication platforms.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Deep understanding of federal/state/local government structures, legislative, and political processes; including a robust understanding of the landscape as well as key decision makers within the state.
• Impeccable ability to exercise judgment and diplomacy among a wide variety of public and internal audiences.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies including business leaders, public officials, community representatives, consumers, and trade associations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and consensus building skills, ability to cultivate buy-in at all levels of the System.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Well-respected executive presence with strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Ability to set priorities and manage projects autonomously, completing them on time and on budget.
• Proactive, independent self-starter with ability to multi-task and effectively juggle competing priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in policy related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years' government relations/state policy experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred; Experience within the healthcare industry preferred, however, other types of government relations/policy/advocacy experience will be considered.

Salary Range

$99,000 - $148,525

Physical And Work Environment Requirements

Work is performed in an office, clinical, residential, and/or community-based environment depending on role and assignment. The position may involve routine use of office, clinical, or electronic systems and equipment. Duties may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and working at a computer. Work hours may include evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts based on program needs. This position is classified as sedentary work. Sedentary work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Time Type

Full time

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• 403b retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off and ten paid holidays
• AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid)
• Employee Resource Groups
• Continuing education opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program

Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.

At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture.

Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve.

Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.