Vice President, Government Affairs

We’re searching for a Vice President, Government Affairs, someone who works well in a fast-paced setting. In this position you will serve as the chief advocate and strategist for engagement with federal, state, and local government entities and officials. Reporting to the Chief Brand and External Affairs Officer, you will be responsible for shaping and advancing the organization’s legislative and regulatory priorities, fostering strong relationships with policymakers, staff and regulators, and ensuring compliance with evolving healthcare policies.

This role represents a 15,000+-employee, children and women’s healthcare system that collaborates with an affiliated medical school that employs an additional 2,000+ providers. This leader will play a pivotal role in aligning Texas Children’s advocacy efforts with its mission to advance patient care, medical education, and research while navigating the complex regulatory and political landscape of healthcare.

Think you’ve got what it takes?

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive Government Affairs strategy that supports the mission, financial stability, and operational priorities.  
• Lead advocacy efforts on federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory matters that impact healthcare delivery, reimbursement, research funding, and medical education.
• Monitor, analyze, and influence legislative and regulatory changes at the federal, state and local levels that impact academic medicine, healthcare delivery, and hospital operations.  
• Build support for and increase involvement in legislative and regulatory agenda and promote the organization’s position and reputation with government officials.
• Serve as a key liaison between the health system and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) on policy and funding issues related to research, graduate medical education (GME), and academic medicine.  
• Align advocacy efforts with BCM to support joint legislative priorities, including funding for academic medicine, NIH grants, and GME reimbursement.
• Work closely with the legal and compliance teams to ensure adherence to state and federal healthcare regulations, including Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement policies.  
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to changes in healthcare policy and reimbursement.
• Represent organization in key government and civic forums, ensuring a visible presence in the policy-making process.  
• Engage with community leaders, business coalitions, and other stakeholders to advocate for policies that align with the organization’s mission.
• Build and lead a high-performing Government Affairs team that effectively advocates for the organization's interests.  
• Foster a culture of collaboration and strategic alignment across internal teams, including communications, legal, compliance, finance, and clinical leadership.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in law, public policy, healthcare administration, or a related field strongly preferred
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in Government Affairs, healthcare policy, or legislative affairs, preferably within an academic medical center, health system, or public sector agency
• Comprehensive understanding of federal and state healthcare policies, regulatory frameworks, and funding mechanisms affecting hospitals and academic medical centers
• Strong network and relationships with key lawmakers and policy influencers within the State and federal government    
• Proven ability to influence policymakers and advocate for complex healthcare issues
• Demonstrated leadership experience in developing and executing Government Affairs strategies  
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders 

About Texas Children’s

Since 1954, Texas Children’s has been leading the charge in patient care, education and research to accelerate health care for children and women around the world. When you love what you do, it truly shows in the smiles of our patient families, employees and our numerous accolades such as being consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report as well as recognition from Houston Business Journal as one of this city’s Best Places to Work for ten consecutive years. 

Texas Children’s comprehensive health care network includes our primary hospital in the Texas Medical Center with expertise in over 40 pediatric subspecialties; the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI); the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin, the new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin and Central Texas families. We have also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO focused on children; Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, one of the largest, most diverse and successful pediatric programs in the nation. 

 To join our community of 15,000+ dedicated team members, visit texaschildrenspeople.org for career opportunities.

 Texas Children’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions at Texas Children's without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.