Senior Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 152,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs at American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons leads regulatory health policy initiatives and serves as a key advisor on physician payment policy, reimbursement, coding, quality reporting, and broader health policy issues impacting orthopaedic surgeons.

This hybrid role represents AAOS in meetings with federal agencies, supports engagement with stakeholders, and guides a health policy team to advance AAOS policy priorities.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of health policy experience in physician payment or related areas.
• Extensive knowledge of the Medicare physician payment system and related processes.
• Strong understanding of policy issues affecting physicians and medical societies.
• Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Experience leading projects, prioritizing work, and working independently in deadlines.
• Supervisory experience with ability to coach and develop a high-performing team.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web research tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory health policy initiatives focusing on physician payment, reimbursement, coding, and quality reporting.
• Analyze policy issues and partner with Government Relations to develop positions and advocacy strategies.
• Represent AAOS in specialty society meetings and with federal agencies and external partners.
• Manage involvement with AMA/SVR Update Committee, CPT Editorial Process, and AQ/Quality groups.
• Supervise and support a health policy team of analysts and reimbursement professionals.
• Staff AAOS committees and workgroups on coding, coverage, and advocacy priorities.
• Draft and review official comments to agencies including HHS, CMS, AHRQ, and CDC.
• Develop member-facing communications, policy statements, and advocacy resources.
• Build relationships with government officials, carrier representatives, and stakeholders.
• Maintain historical records of policy positions and support the Policy Compendium.

Skills

Health policy

Physician payment policy

Regulatory affairs

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Management experience

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching and development

Web research tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Web-based research tools

Job description

You are a strategic health policy leader who sees the story behind the regulation, the opportunity inside complexity, and the real impact policy decisions have on physicians and patients. You know physician payment, reimbursement, coding, quality, and regulatory affairs, but what sets you apart is your ability to connect the details to a bigger purpose. At AAOS, you can bring that expertise to a mission-driven organization where your work helps shape national conversations, strengthen advocacy, and support the future of musculoskeletal care.

If this sounds like you, please read on!

The Senior Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs leads AAOS regulatory health policy initiatives and serves as a key advisor on physician payment policy, reimbursement, coding, quality reporting, and broader health policy issues impacting orthopaedic surgeons. This role represents AAOS in medical specialty society and stakeholder meetings, supports engagement with federal regulatory agencies, and works closely with internal teams, volunteer leaders, and external partners to advance AAOS policy priorities.

What You’ll Do

• Lead regulatory health policy initiatives on behalf of AAOS, with a focus on physician payment policy, reimbursement, coding, quality reporting measures, and alternative payment models.
• Analyze health policy issues of strategic importance to AAOS and partner with Government Relations leadership to develop policy positions, advocacy strategies, and related initiatives.
• Represent AAOS in medical specialty society meetings, stakeholder discussions, and meetings with federal regulatory agencies and other external partners.
• Manage AAOS involvement in the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee, AMA CPT Editorial Process, and American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Alliance.
• Supervise and support a health policy team that includes policy analysts and coding and reimbursement professionals.
• Staff and support AAOS committees and workgroups focused on coding, coverage, reimbursement, health care systems, clinical quality, value, registries, and related advocacy priorities.
• Draft and review official AAOS comments to federal agencies, including HHS, CMS, AHRQ, CDC, and other regulatory bodies.
• Develop member-facing communications, educational content, articles, policy statements, and advocacy resources related to public and private health insurance payment issues.
• Build and maintain relationships with government officials, third-party carrier representatives, medical society leaders, staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Maintain historical records of AAOS policy positions and support development of the Policy Compendium.

Travel:

• Up to 15 days of travel per year

Qualifications:

Required:

• 7-10 years of relevant experience in health policy, physician payment policy, reimbursement, coding, or a closely related area.
• Extensive knowledge of the Medicare resource-based physician payment system and related regulatory processes.
• Strong understanding of health policy issues affecting physicians, medical specialty societies, and health care delivery.
• Excellent analytical, written communication, verbal communication, organizational, management, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience leading projects, managing competing priorities, and working independently in a deadline-driven environment.
• Supervisory experience and the ability to coach, develop, and support a high-performing team.
• Proficiency with common business applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web-based research tools.

Desired:

• Master’s degree.
• Experience staffing committees within a medical association, professional society, or health care policy organization.

Salary Range: $152,000-$168,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Please note: This hybrid position is based in Washington, DC and requires the ability to commute to the office at least twice per week. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employer sponsorship. AAOS does not sponsor, and will not sponsor, applicants or employees for purposes of obtaining or maintaining work authorization.