Director, Government and External Relations

Summary of Primary Function / General Purpose of Position

The Director of Government and External Relations will manage successful statewide relations at all levels of government and among community leaders, state trade associations and other external constituents of importance to implement the state and federal public policy and advocacy agenda of Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) within the State of South Carolina. The Director will report to the System Chief Advocacy & Government Relations Officer while supporting the priorities of internal CEOs in Greenville and in Charleston to effectively advocate and manage external relations with statewide influence. In addition, engaging internal subject matter experts across the spectrum of BSMH is essential. This will ensure an evidence-based approach to developing legislative, regulatory and community solutions on matters such as public program funding for patient care and workforce development affecting clinical operations and external relations priorities across the State of South Carolina.

Essential Job Functions

• Support system-wide legislative, regulatory and advocacy priorities in the State of South Carolina through effective internal and external relations management, including, but not limited to community leaders, trade associations, and government officials. The Director will serve on the Advocacy & Government Relations Committee and Government Reimbursement Council at the system level while developing a strategic statewide vision to achieve goals and objectives that are reflective of the communities we serve and support the current and future needs of BSMH throughout the State of South Carolina.
• Manage government relations / advocacy agenda on a statewide basis as directed and ensure implementation of system and local priorities in Greenville and in Charleston with internal key stakeholders.
• Foster and influence relationships throughout the state and in concert with internal regional stakeholders that result in favorable legislative & regulatory outcomes and build strategic alliances to augment external reputational management and system growth.
• Enhance Bon Secours Mercy Health's public reputation as a relied upon and trusted resource by identifying public and private sector community-based interfaces and partnerships throughout our service areas.
• Provide legislative, regulatory and health industry intelligence to inform strategic impact analyses in concert with internal content experts that lead to politically viable solutions for the future success of our health system.
• Identify opportunities to coordinate appropriate Advocacy interface with internal Mission, Foundation, Community Health and Marketing / Communication leader(s) in regional coalitions and partnerships, and to assure adequate representation of the ministry on related issues in the communities we serve.
• Create effective grass-tops and grassroots support and mobilization, and strong trade association and business organization relations with an emphasis on those organizations where BSMH personnel serve in a board or committee capacity.
• Identify opportunities to organize grass-tops network and mobilize internal grassroots support for legislative and advocacy issues when appropriate.
• Champion internal process to develop action plan for executive and clinician engagement on government matters, as well as governmental, industry trade / business organization, and community boards of interest.
• Partner with internal Foundation personnel to identify local, state and federal grant opportunities to address various community health needs.
• Lead and manage local market / regional Advocacy outreach in Greenville and in Charleston through education and lobbying strategies with designated internal personnel to realize a positive impact and favorable outcome for legislative & regulatory policy issues and external relations more broadly.
• Maintain registration as a state lobbyist on behalf of BSMH and ensure compliance of all related reporting requirements.

Employment Qualifications

5-7 years in an external relations capacity

Required :

Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal relationship skills, understanding of government, and strategic agility to collaborate in a complex organization

Preferred :

Analytical and business acumen (healthcare experience a plus), and adaptable to change