Reports to: Managing Director
Salary Range: Dependent on experience
Job Summary: Director, Government Relations, will support market access strategy, client services, and business development efforts with a focus on federal engagement. This individual should have foundational knowledge of the US Department of Health and Human Services and familiarity with relevant agencies (CMS, ASTP/ONC, HRSA, etc.). This role requires an understanding of federal health IT data regulations, interoperability initiatives, and barriers to health technology adoption within Medicaid, Medicare, and public health programs. The Director will support and represent clients and organizational activities among HHS officials, industry influencers, and partner organizations. Success in this role requires proven expertise in government policy, advocacy, and health technology, as well as outstanding interpersonal skills to build and maintain strategic government relationships. The role requires the individual to reside in and be regularly available for in-person meetings in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area.
Job Functions
Government Client Support (65%)
- Assist with and/or lead key projects as assigned.
- Support with client accounts on state and federal needs, including:
- Facilitate and support preparation and coordination of client-agency meetings at HHS, its operating divisions, or with state leaders.
- Prepare agendas and documentation for meetings that include government agencies.
- Prepare background briefings and materials for HHS officials and government stakeholders.
- Develop high-quality presentations, position papers, and advocacy materials for federal audiences.
- Leverage established government relationships to promote and advance clients products, services, or policy positions.
- Assist in developing state and federal engagement strategies to support adoption and expansion of health IT, Medicaid, Medicare, and public health innovation.
- Provide support for client representation at government agencies, at federal industry conferences, and meetings with relevant policymakers.
- Track and analyze federal legislation and regulatory developments that may affect clients.
Business Development and Relationship Management (25%)
- Support cultivation and expansion of government relationships (e.g., at CMS, ASTP/ONC, NIH, CDC, etc.) and government-adjacent organizations (e.g., MITRE, CDC Foundation, etc.) to advance organizational and client goals.
- Serve as a trusted representative of Innsena by building credibility and supporting business development opportunities.
- Support Innsena leadership in connecting clients to HHS contacts, key state and federal agencies, and appropriate workgroups, advisory committees, or coalitions.
Strategic Initiatives and Thought Leadership (10%)
- Interpret state and federal policy, rulemaking, and market dynamics impacting clients and Innsena.
- Actively build leadership activities through research, content support, and professional networking.
- Actively build your own personal brand and expertise within the health policy community.
Other Duties (5%)
- Other activities, as assigned
Innsena’s market access practice is a growing team with a rapidly expanding client base. Responsibilities may change as our team grows.
Experience: An ideal candidate for the Director role will have between 5-7 years of experience in federal health policy, government relations, or health technology role with exposure to HHS agencies and programs. Experience may include working at HHS, a state role with HHS agency contract or agencies, or in a government consulting position.
Additionally, Innsena is looking for the following experience:
- Documented network of contacts and relationships within HHS, including experience navigating federal agency processes, legislative procedure, and regulatory engagement.
- Demonstrated track record in developing and executing federal government relations strategies.
- Strong understanding of federal health technology trends, relevant public health policy, and the landscape of Medicaid and Medicare programs.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work with senior government officials, policymakers, and external partners.
- Degree in public policy, health administration, or related area preferred.
Travel: This role is client-first with in-person meetings and travel is a critical part of the job. The Government Relations Director must reside in the DMV area to network effectively for this position. It is anticipated that this person will have frequent meetings in the DC area for business development and relationship management. Occasional travel outside the DC area for conferences and client meetings is anticipated (approximately 5% of time). This role may require attendance at meetings, dinners, and events during evening and weekends.
About Innsena: Innsena is a strategy-first go-to-market consultancy for the health technology and healthcare sectors. Our Market Access practice works with companies, non-profits, and governmental entities to enter new markets, expand services and market share, leverage policy as a tailwind and improve interoperability and patient access across states.
Innsena Market Access position hierarchy:
- President
- Senior Vice President
- Vice President
- Managing Director
- Senior Director
- Director
- Senior Manager
Work setting: Innsena is a virtual consultancy with team members located across the country. This position is required to reside in the DC-area; however, we do not care where you work from as long as you are able to meet the demands of clients and our consultancy. While we strive for work/life balance and ensure no single consultant or team is assigned excessive hours per month, Innsena is a client services organization with a client-first culture. You are expected to support and/or lead calls to accommodate these influencers and clients no matter where you live.
Culture: Innsena is a client-first organization. People are our product. We work hard to build an environment for staff to grow and experience life. We invest in our people and require that in exchange our people invest in building this consultancy with the goal of being the best in the industry.
We only hire the best, and our people have autonomy and flexibility to meet client needs. We celebrate each other’s differences – it’s what makes everyone at Innsena valuable. A hundred people with the same backgrounds equate to boring and failed output. Religious, sexual, political, and cultural differences will always be respected at Innsena. We only hire the best – which means we have a lot of smart people with strong opinions. We listen and learn from each other, and that ultimately pushes us to be better at our jobs.
We are not afraid of responsibility and accountability. We work hard, and we play even harder – but your preference for the latter is up to you. We cultivate and support personal interests and priorities outside of Innsena, as long as you continue to uphold our pillars and meet client needs.
Our pillars:
- Hustle. We’re not playing games – excel and have a great time. Laziness is never acceptable, and don’t take yourself too seriously.
- Cosmos. Never think small; watch the goal; always recognize how your actions impact others (Innsena, clients, the market, etc.).
- Relationships. Our whole business is relationships – to each other, to the industry, to clients – and how they all interrelate. Actively pursue and nurture them.
- Think. Then move. We don’t check boxes here. Figure out what’s going to work and make it happen and never delay action for small stuff.
- Flexibility. You’re an adult. Do your job however and whenever you want as long as it gets done and you adhere to our other pillars.
Innsena is a diverse company that is dedicated to creating an inspiring workplace for all. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an equitable workforce. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all jobs without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any protected category.