Executive Director, Federal Government

Kaiser Permanente; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente, based in Washington, D.C., seeks an Executive Director, Federal Government Relations to lead the federal advocacy agenda, manage a portfolio of enterprise priorities, and represent the organization before Congress and federal policymakers.

The role demands strategic leadership, strong relationships with congressional offices, and the ability to translate priorities into coordinated federal engagement.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Strategic leadership

Advocacy

Policy communication

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree

High School Diploma or GED

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.