Director, Federal Agency Relations

A career with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association supports Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies nationwide to improve health care quality, affordability, and accessibility for all Americans. This role is responsible for maintaining and developing strategic relationships with Blue Plans and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to support the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, including creating and executing a communication strategy for federal entities, managing a team of government liaisons, and acting as the primary contact for senior BCBSA leadership.

Responsibilities

Maintain and develop strategic relationships with Blue Plans and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to support the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program; Create and execute a comprehensive communication strategy for federal entities; Manage a team of government liaisons; Act as the primary contact for senior BCBSA leadership; Set the strategic engagement direction and attend meetings with government leaders; Develop and disseminate comprehensive analysis of governmental communications within the Federal Employee Program organization; Track responses to federal inquiries; Monitor and influence federal legislation through cross-functional collaboration; Organize annual congressional meetings for the FEHB/PSHB program; Set strategic interactions with the National Labor Office on federal and postal union matters; Set the strategic direction for FEP's engagement with OPM and serve as primary decision-maker for OPM-related matters; Direct and coordinate cross-functional FEP teams; Serve as key liaison with OPM contracting officers and senior officials; Work with the SVP of FEP on long-term strategic engagements with OPM; Develop and implement integrated communication strategies for Blue Plans and government agencies; Oversee daily formal communications with OPM senior leadership; Act as BCBSA's primary representative to the Association of Federal Health Organizations (AFHO); Lead the annual revision of the Site Visit Questionnaire and federal agency on-site visits; Manage internal process initiatives, including Issue Log resolution and coordination of Carrier letter responses; Supervise the team arranging and conducting Site Visits; Lead OPM engagements for audits, contract negotiations and responses to OPM carrier letters; Act as single point of contact for federal agency interactions, including co-leading annual OPM benefits negotiations; Develop and maintain a customer relations strategy to influence OPM's award of the annual service charge; Lead and develop the team, building a culture aligned with BCBSA values and leadership competencies

Requirements

Required BS or equivalent work experience; Required 7+ Years related experience within the health care industry or related disciplines; Excellent written, oral communication, and interpersonal skills; Outstanding time management skill; Strong project leadership skills; Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills; Prior project/program leadership experience that demonstrates the ability to set priorities and meet objectives for complex projects involving multiple stakeholders; Strong technical proficiency with information technologies (e.g. Microsoft software applications)

Nice to have

Preferred MS Experience; Preferred: Demonstrates AI literacy and an understanding of generative AI tools, including appropriate business applications and limitations; Preferred: Fellow, Academy for Healthcare Management (FAHM) - AHIP

Benefits

Paid time off; 11 holidays; medical/dental/vision insurance; generous 401(k) matching; lifestyle spending account; annual bonus incentive pay; other benefits for eligible employees