Senior Policy Program Manager, Legislative and Regulatory Policy

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 128,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association seeks an experienced policy professional to develop and advocate for commercial market, ERISA, and affordability initiatives in Washington, DC. You will identify regulatory impacts, prepare formal comments, and build consensus with BCBS Plans and stakeholders to drive corporate priorities.

The role emphasizes strategic thinking, policy writing excellence, and collaboration with BCBS Plan representatives and federal/state policymakers.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of health care systems and understanding of legislative and policymaking process.
• Strong communications skills; the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Strong human relations skills; ability to work with others to obtain input, accomplish goals and meet deadlines.
• Strategic thinking to influence policymakers and stakeholders.
• Experience with policy writing and health policy issues.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of effective, consensus-based policy recommendations at state and federal levels.
• Develops advocacy documents, messaging, and briefing materials.
• Provides policy support for coalitions and internal partners on focus areas; promotes BCBS priorities.
• Leads regulatory and legislative analysis projects and drafts comment letters and memos.
• Leads workgroups to align strategy and coordinate engagement with governors, agencies, and staff.
• Keeps leadership informed on legislative and regulatory developments; collaborates with internal teams.
• Manages multiple priorities and supports forward-looking strategy for assigned programs.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Policy communication

Regulatory understanding

Project leadership

AI literacy

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Public or Health Policy, Business or Public Administration

Master's Degree in Health Policy, Public Policy, Health Administration, Public Health or relevant subject

Job description

Candidates will support policy development on commercial market and ERISA issues, commercial pharmacy benefit policy, value-based programs, and healthcare affordability solutions.

This role identifies and proactively develops policy recommendations that further the BCBS mission and drive solutions. Identifies and analyzes proposed regulatory and legislative initiatives at the federal and state level which present significant implications to BCBS Plans's members and clients. Identifies policy questions, advances meaningful policy solutions, and builds consensus with BCBS Plans and stakeholder allies on high-profile issues. Prepares formal comments regarding recommended policies and communicates key updates from BCBSA and federal/state policymakers to BCBS Plans. Leads BCBS Plan workgroups to advance corporate goals for assigned programs and/or issues. Works closely with BCBSA leadership to develop strategy around regulatory and legislative priorities for engagement with the White House, Administration, Congress and other key stakeholders in Washington.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of effective, consensus-based policy recommendations to promote BCBSA and BCBS Plan objectives at both state and federal levels. Manages the review of legislation and regulations to identify and provide feedback to policymakers and staff on strategic and business considerations.
• Develops advocacy documents to support these activities, including key messaging, one-pagers, and briefing materials. Provides policy support for coalitions, third-party inquiries and internal business partners on select focus areas. Brings forward new ideas and strategic thinking to promote BCBSA priorities and objectives.
• Leads projects within assigned regulatory and legislative focus areas, including the identification of key business issues, legislative or regulatory analysis. Develops comment letters and resources for policymakers and educational materials for BCBS Plans. Produces bill summaries, policy analysis and memos on key issues and BCBSA positions for use by Plans. Leads BCBSA and Plan meetings to inform staff of key issues and actions taken by P&A staff. Responsible for researching and developing responses to Plan inquiries.
• Leads workgroup and related calls on focus areas. Identifies and communicates key regulatory and legislative activities to internal audiences, BCBS Plans and other external audiences. Collaborates with peers and others on BCBSA's business/operations team to support synchronized efforts to assess current landscape, identify opportunities for engagement for BCBSA leadership, and assist with implementing a forward-thinking, comprehensive, coordinated, strategy for assigned programs and/or issues.
• Keeps up to date on legislative and regulatory positions and priorities, strategies, federal policymaking activities, external stakeholder positioning, and health care issues generally in order to maintain an understanding of key issues and strategies. May provide policy support to State Affairs team and work with state-based organizations (SBOs). Takes on various health policy projects as assigned.
• Collaborates with BCBS Plan representatives, Policy and Advocacy staff and broader BCBSA staff. Engages with external stakeholders including federal policymakers and third-party representatives as appropriate.
• Ensures senior management, senior leadership team and BCBS Plan representatives are informed as to pertinent legislative and regulatory developments.

Salary Range

127,500.00 - 184,875.00

Qualifications

Education

• Required Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Public or Health Policy, Business or Public Administration; or equivalent work experience
• Preferred Master's Degree in Health Policy, Public Policy, Health Administration, Public Heath or relevant subject

Experience

• Required 7+ Years equivalent work experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of health care systems and understanding of legislative and policymaking process.
• Strong communications skills; the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Strong human relations skills; and the ability to work with others in obtaining feedback/input, accomplishing goals, and meeting deadlines
• Sophisticated/strategic thinking to determine how best to influence decision/policy makers
• Comprehensive understanding of health policy issues and the legislative process, as well as experience with policy writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships and influence outcomes
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to identify issues and develop appropriate advocacy recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and competing priorities
• Preferred: Demonstrates AI literacy and an understanding of generative AI tools, including appropriate business applications and limitations.

Extra Posting Information

Seven or more years of equivalent work experience

Experience working on one or more of the following health policy areas: Medicare and/or Medicaid issues which may include Stars, quality, prior authorization, dual eligibles Health insurance contracts and payment structures in Medicare/Medicaid and/or commercial lines of business (LOBs) Prescription drug issues (Rx reform, pharmacy benefit manager, opioid use disorder, cell & gene therapies), Pharmacy benefits for commercial, Medicare and Medicaid LOBs Improving affordability of health care, and value-based care programs including relevant regulation, legislation and/or law Health IT which may include AI, cybersecurity, technical and market issues related to data operations, standards development, application programming interfaces, data privacy and security issues, and third-party application capabilities extensive experience developing and drafting policy and legal analysis with focus on above programs and/or issue areas.

Prior experience working for a health insurer, Congress, the Administration or third-party stakeholders focused on above programs and/or issue areas. Experience working with public officials or in government.

The posted salary range is the lowest to highest salary we, in good faith, believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the hiring range and this hiring range may also be modified in the future. A candidate’s position within the hiring range may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for annual bonus incentive pay.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, 11 holidays, medical/dental/vision insurance, generous 401(k) matching, lifestyle spending account and many other benefits to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.