Director, State Affairs - IL

Humana Inc; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 168,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

Humana, Inc. is seeking a Director of State Affairs for Illinois and adjacent regions to lead state advocacy, regulatory engagement, and public-sector partnerships.

You will shape policy priorities, strengthen relationships with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders, and align advocacy with growth and operational objectives. The role requires Illinois residency, travel across the state, and a Bachelor's degree in a related field with 8+ years of government affairs or health policy

Qualifications

• Residence in Illinois required; Springfield area preferred.
• 8+ years in government affairs, public policy, or related fields.
• Proven success influencing legislative, regulatory outcomes.
• Strong understanding of state legislative/regulatory processes.
• Experience with Medicaid, healthcare policy, and policy stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills; able to work in a matrixed org.

Responsibilities

• Lead Illinois state advocacy, legislative affairs, and government engagement.
• Advance policy priorities through strategic advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner with Medicare, Medicaid, and market leaders to align advocacy with growth.
• Build relationships with legislators, regulators, and key stakeholders.
• Monitor policy developments and advise senior leadership.
• Collaborate across policy, legal, compliance, communications, and business teams.
• Manage external consultants and advocacy partners.
• Deliver timely policy insights and recommendations.
• Develop stakeholder engagement and coalition-building strategies.

Skills

Illinois resident

Travel readiness

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Policy communication

Regulatory affairs

Healthcare policy

Influence without authority

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy/PoliSci/Health Policy/Comm/Business

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Become a part of our caring community The Director, State Affairs (Director of State Affairs, Illinois) leads Humana’s state advocacy and government engagement strategy across Illinois with additional responsibilities for a region of states including, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Delaware and Connecticut. This role advances Humana’s policy priorities, strengthens key state relationships, and supports business growth through strategic advocacy and public sector engagement. As the face of Humana in priority states, the Director ensures a coordinated, enterprise-wide approach to legislative and regulatory activity. This role reports to the Director of State Affairs for the Upper Midwest.

In this role you will:

• Lead Humana's state advocacy, legislative affairs, and government engagement efforts across Illinois and assigned regional markets.
• Advance legislative, regulatory, and business priorities through strategic advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner with Medicare, Medicaid, and market leaders to align advocacy efforts with growth and operational objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with legislators, regulators, Medicaid agencies, Departments of Insurance, and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor, identify and elevate emerging policy, legislative, and regulatory developments, recommending strategies to mitigate risk and drive opportunity.
• Collaborate with internal partners across policy, legal, compliance, communications, and business teams to ensure coordinated advocacy efforts.
• Manage external consultants, lobbying firms, trade associations, and advocacy partners to achieve strategic objectives.
• Deliver timely policy insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop and execute stakeholder engagement, coalition-building, and political engagement strategies that strengthen Humana's reputation and influence.
• Use your skills to make an impact.

Required Qualifications

• Residence in Illinois required, with preference given to candidates located in or near Springfield, IL. Candidates located in the Chicago metropolitan area will also be considered.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout Illinois, including frequent travel between Chicago and Springfield, as well as periodic travel within the assigned region.
• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Health Policy, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in government affairs, state government, public policy, lobbying, healthcare advocacy, legislative affairs, or related fields.
• Proven success influencing legislative, regulatory, or public policy outcomes through strategic advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes and their impact on healthcare and business operations.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with government officials, policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex policy issues to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a highly matrixed, fast-paced organization and influence without direct authority.
• Knowledge of Medicaid programs and healthcare policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience with healthcare policy, Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, or health insurance regulation.
• Knowledge of Illinois Medicaid and Illinois state government.
• Established relationships with Illinois policymakers, regulators, and healthcare stakeholders.
• Experience managing external advocacy partners, including lobbying firms and trade associations.

Additional Information

Remote position in Springfield, IL area 25% travel

Work from Home Requirements: To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees’ ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees must meet the following criteria: At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is required; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested. In certain roles, the minimum recommended internet speed required by Humana may not be sufficient for business needs. Humana reserves the right to require associates to upgrade their internet service if necessary. Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information.

Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours 40

Pay Range The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc. $168,000 - $231,000 per year This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.

Description of Benefits

• medical, dental and vision benefits
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, paid parental and caregiver leave)
• short-term and long-term disability
• life insurance
• many other opportunities

About us

Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, “Humana”) offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities. About us About Humana: Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer atHumana.comand atCenterWell.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action, in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, to employ and to advance in employment individuals with disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.