Job Opportunity: Legislative Liaison

Background

For 70 years, the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) has been the state’s largest specialty medical association. Our vision is to ensure all Michigan residents have access to quality, affordable healthcare within a Family Physician-led medical home. Our mission is to support Family Physicians in Michigan through leadership , collaboration & innovation to achieve the best patient outcomes.

Representing more than 4,200 Family Physicians—from Residents to Life members, along with medical students planning a career in Family Medicine—our Academy is poised for continued growth and leadership as Primary Care gains greater value in the marketplace by increasing access across all populations to quality healthcare, improving outcomes, and reducing costs.

Our office is headquartered in Okemos, sharing operations with our philanthropic arm—the Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the Legislative Liaison is responsible for developing and advocating MAFP’s public policy agenda, providing analysis of legislation and regulatory activity impacting the practice of Family Medicine and patient care in Michigan, and implementing strategies and grassroots campaigns to influence policy positions, the practice of medicine, and reputation of Family Physicians.

Essential responsibilities include:

• Developing and guiding MAFP’s public policy agenda— including goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, programs and/or projects in accordance with MAFP’s Strategic Plan and priorities — including driving MAFP’s messages to stakeholders including government, members, media, and the public.
• Conducting research and drafting analyses of legislation and regulations to inform policy position and priorities that impact Family Medicine and patients in Michigan.
• Providing advice and developing effective strategies and tactics for leadership in response to time- sensitive political and public policy issues. Articulates positions in policy statements, legislative response letters, briefs, fact sheets, talking points, social media, and at meetings.
• Identifying, monitoring and analyzing relevant policy trends and issues.
• Increasing MAFP’s presence and visibility in Downtown Lansing, with legislators, state agencies, the Executive Branch, and other key targets, along with working collaboratively with other stakeholders to further MAFP’s policy agenda.
• Coordinating activities of the Advocacy Committee and Practice Management Committee, including obtaining direction on attainment of identified goals and policy recommendations on developing issues.
• Managing day-to-day operations of Family Medicine PAC, ensuring timely and accurate filing of all required reports in compliance with state election and lobby laws, along with coordinating activities of the PAC Board, which provides direction on strategy, fundraising, events, and marketing campaigns.
• Assisting with the Academy’s Annual Meeting, which includes resolutions and other matters relevant to the membership in providing direction for the Academy in the upcoming year. Also plays a key role in coordinating Michigan’s contingent at American Academy of Family Physicians’ events that address advocacy, governance and/or public policy issues.
• Organizing grassroots advocacy events, such as the annual Family Medicine Advocacy Day and biannual Advocacy and Leadership Development Program .
• Drafting articles for the Academy’s e-newsletter and quarterly magazine, as well as creating grassroots advocacy alerts and PAC solicitations.
• Managing budget for all assigned programs and policy initiatives, including monitoring and analyzing ongoing fiscal progress to achieve financial and programmatic goals.
• Reporting on achievement of program and policy initiative outcomes, including deliverables.
• With direction from the CEO, assessing the need and identifying the desired outcomes of working with outsourced firm(s) to assist with MAFP lobbying and regulatory efforts.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Communications, Business, or a related field. Master’s Degree in Public Health or Public Policy, and/or non-profit association experience is not required but is a plus.
• Experience in legislative/public policy advocacy, preferably working on health care issues with government agencies, legislative bodies, nonprofit organizations, and/or coalitions.
• Comprehensive understanding of government relations, the political system and grassroots organizing.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong bipartisan support for public policy initiatives. Ability to communicate with high-level legislative and executive branch policy-makers and staff.
• Understanding of Campaign Finance Laws and Lobby regulations. Ability to qualify as a registered lobbying agent in the state of Michigan.
• Outstanding research, writing and analysis skills, including ability to use data in shaping policy messages in a clear manner utilizing multiple mediums.
• Strong organizational and project management skills as well as good judgment in developing and implementing priorities.
• Ability to recognize and identify member concerns, analyze issues and concepts to correctly state a problem and develop solutions.

Other Requirements

The successful candidate will possess a strong work ethic, be highly motivated, demonstrate professionalism and respect, and prioritize multiple tasks while working independently. Working cross-functionally and building effective working relationships in a small-team based environment will be key to success.

S/he will be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, social media and databases. S/he must be willing and able to travel outside of the office, mostly in downtown Lansing but also to various locations throughout the state, along with participating in some out-of-state conferences.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a salaried, exempt position; extended hours are required, as needed, to carry out the responsibilities of this position. Compensation commensurate with experience.

Benefits include: major medical, dental and vision; generous holiday and paid-time-off; short- and long-term disability; life insurance; free parking; 401(k) Plan with contributions made by the employer; and a flex/remote work policy.

Application Process / Deadline to Apply: Friday, April 20, 2018

To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please send a cover letter (including your reason for wanting to work for MAFP, an example of how you demonstrated success in a similar position, your salary expectation, and a description of how this position fits into your long-term career plan) , along with your resume to: president@mafp.com