Director of Government Relations, UCSF Health

Overview

Job Summary Under the direction of the Vice President of Government Relations for UCSF Health, the Director, as part of the Office of Community & Government Relations, is responsible for planning and implementing government relations and advocacy activities to advance UCSF Health’s priorities at the local, state, and federal levels. This position is the primary liaison for UCSF Health to elected officials in the Bay Area, with an early focus on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, local mayors, and state elected officials with jurisdiction over health issues.

The Director will be responsible for building and executing a government relations and advocacy program that strengthens UCSF Health’s presence and visibility with policymakers in Sacramento and building strong, collaborative relationships with local policymakers. Ideal candidates will have a deep understanding of health policy at the state or federal level, including experience working in a legislative office for a member of the California State Legislature or U.S. Congress.

This position will partner closely with CGR staff focused on community relations and community health to set comprehensive strategies that deepen UCSF Health’s presence in existing and expanding communities. In addition to the Office of Community & Government Relations, this position will collaborate with the UC Office of the President (specifically the State and Federal Relations Offices and UC Health), and the President of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, as well as clinical and staff leadership throughout the health system.

The position also facilitates positive relationships with government officials and mitigates any actions, concerns or opposition that would adversely affect UCSF Health, UCSF, or the University of California. This position will be based in Oakland or San Francisco, requiring on-site work at both locations and periodic travel to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• 10 years of relevant work experience
• Expert knowledge and understanding of policy issues in impacting academic medicine, hospitals, and health care providers.
• Expert knowledge of external and medical center constituencies, including their composition and areas of concern.
• Expert knowledge of the principles and concepts of building and maintaining effective relationships with external constituencies to achieve institutional goals and objectives.
• Expert level written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including attentive listening skills and skill to ascertain constituency perception.
• Expert skill to quickly identify and develop strategies to effectively communicate the institution's message.
• Expert level analytical and decision-making skills, sound judgment and highly developed political acumen.
• Expert skill to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and skill to effectively address, resolve and / or mitigate problems or issues.
• Expert knowledge of all aspects of the legislative and political process, and expert skill to correctly and appropriately read, interpret, understand and respond to proposed legislation, including writing effective position statements and drafting proposed legislation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert, thorough, in-depth knowledge and understanding of all aspects of UCSF Health, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, infrastructure, history, long-range strategic plans, current issues of concern, accomplishments and awards
• Experience with people management and coaching.

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health.

We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding…