Executive Director, Federal Government

Kaiser Permanente; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

KAISER is seeking an Executive Director of Federal Government Relations for its Washington, D.C. office to lead federal advocacy efforts, build congressional support, and represent Kaiser Permanente before Congress and key committees.

The role requires extensive senior-level experience in government relations, strong strategic leadership, and the ability to coordinate across policy, public affairs, and enterprise stakeholders to advance Kaiser Permanente's health policy objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in federal, state, or local government relations, legislative affairs, health policy, public affairs, communications, or a closely related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience leading complex advocacy initiatives, government relations functions, teams, or high‑profile legislative campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of comprehensive federal advocacy strategies for Kaiser Permanente's highest-priority legislative issues.
• Serve as a senior advocate before Congress, congressional committees, and federal policymakers on assigned priorities.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Members of Congress, senior congressional staff, committee staff, and Administration officials.
• Support Kaiser Permanente's engagement with national trade associations, coalitions, and external stakeholders.
• Identify legislative opportunities and risks, develop advocacy strategies, and recommend courses of action.
• Partner with Policy, Public Affairs, Permanente Medical Groups, Risant Health, and enterprise leaders to ensure alignment on priorities.
• Provide strategic counsel and policy updates to senior leaders regarding congressional activity and legislative strategy.
• Develop congressional champions and expand Kaiser Permanente's influence with key policymakers.
• Supervise and develop assigned Directors while fostering a high-performing advocacy team.
• Represent Kaiser Permanente at congressional hearings, stakeholder meetings, conferences, and external events.
• Support the Vice President in advancing departmental priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure advocacy activities comply with lobbying disclosure and ethics requirements.

Job description

Job Summary:

The Executive Director, Federal Government Relations - D.C. Office serves as a senior federal advocate responsible for advancing Kaiser Permanentes federal legislative agenda. Reporting to the Vice President, Federal Government Relations, this role leads advocacy strategies across an assigned portfolio of enterprise priorities and represents Kaiser Permanente before Congress, congressional committees, and other key federal stakeholders.

The Executive Director is a senior lobbyist responsible for developing and executing comprehensive advocacy strategies that build congressional support for Kaiser Permanentes policy objectives. Working in close partnership with policy leaders, public affairs, and internal stakeholders, this position translates organizational priorities into coordinated federal engagement strategies that advance Kaiser Permanentes integrated, value‑based care model.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, mission‑driven government relations leader with deep knowledge of the federal legislative process and established credibility on Capitol Hill. This individual must understand and champion Kaiser Permanentes commitment to high‑quality, affordable, equitable, and prevention‑focused health care, and effectively communicate the organizations policy positions to lawmakers, congressional staff, trade associations, coalition partners, and external stakeholders.

Based in Washington, D.C., the Executive Director develops and maintains senior relationships with Members of Congress, committee staff, and key external organizations aligned with assigned issue priorities. This role leads lobbying efforts on the organizations highest‑priority federal issues, coordinates advocacy strategies across relevant trade associations and coalitions, and partners closely with colleagues across Kaiser Permanente to ensure consistent, enterprise‑wide alignment on legislative priorities.

The Executive Director also provides leadership and mentorship to assigned staff, manages approximately one to two direct reports, and contributes to the continued growth and effectiveness of Kaiser Permanentes federal affairs function through collaboration, strategic insight, and operational excellence.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive federal advocacy strategies for an assigned portfolio of Kaiser Permanentes highest‑priority legislative issues.
• Serve as a senior advocate before Congress, congressional committees, and other federal policymakers on assigned issue priorities.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Members of Congress, senior congressional staff, committee staff, and key Administration officials.
• Support Kaiser Permanentes engagement with national trade associations, coalitions, and external stakeholders aligned with assigned legislative priorities.
• Identify legislative opportunities and risks, develop advocacy strategies, and recommend courses of action to advance enterprise objectives.
• Partner with Policy, Public Affairs, Permanente Medical Groups, Risant Health, and other enterprise leaders to ensure alignment on federal legislative priorities and advocacy strategies.
• Provide strategic counsel and policy updates to senior leaders regarding congressional activity, political developments, and legislative strategy.
• Develop congressional champions and expand Kaiser Permanentes influence with key policymakers and stakeholders.
• Supervise, coach, and develop assigned Directors while fostering a collaborative, high‑performing advocacy team.
• Represent Kaiser Permanente at congressional hearings, stakeholder meetings, conferences, and other external events.
• Support the Vice President in advancing departmental priorities, strategic initiatives, and organizational objectives.
• Ensure advocacy activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable lobbying disclosure and ethics requirements.

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• Minimum twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in federal, state, or local government relations, legislative affairs, health policy, public affairs, communications, or a closely related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience leading complex advocacy initiatives, government relations functions, teams, or high‑profile legislative campaigns.

Education

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university or four (4) years of experience in a directly related field required.
• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated success developing and executing legislative advocacy strategies, influencing public policy outcomes, and building trusted relationships with Members of Congress, congressional committees, federal agencies, trade associations, and other external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience advocating on federal health care policy issues.
• Experience working with Congress, the Executive Branch, a national health care organization, trade association, congressional office, or federal agency.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior executives on legislative strategy, political developments, and advocacy priorities.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and building consensus across complex organizations.

COMPANY: KAISER

TITLE: Executive Director, Federal Government

LOCATION: Washington D.C., District of Columbia

REQNUMBER: 1438322

External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, state and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran, or disability status.