With a legacy that spans over 150 years, Bon Secours is a network that is dedicated to providing excellent care through exceptional people. At every level, everyone on our teams have embraced the call to provide compassionate care. Here, you can work with others who share common values, and use your skills to help extend care to all of our communities.

Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

The Director of Advocacy and External Relations will manage successful relations at all levels of government and external constituents of importance to implement the system’s state and federal public policy agenda. The Director will lead system advocacy initiatives, which are responsible to the ministry’s public juridic person (PJP). The Director will also represent the external relations needs of multiple markets and will aid in system issue impact analysis that supports evidence-based approaches to developing legislative, regulatory, and community solutions on matters affecting delivery of care.

Essential Job Functions

Supports system-wide legislative and regulatory priorities by state through effective internal and external relations management (e.g. government officials at the state level).

Manages government relations agenda by state as directed by the Chief Government Relations Officer and ensures implementation of system and local priorities by region with internal key stakeholders.

Fosters and influences relationships throughout the state in collaboration with internal regional stakeholders with favorable legislative and regulatory outcomes while building strategic alliances to augment system growth.

Enhances Bon Secours Mercy Health’s (BSMH) public reputation as a relied upon and trusted resource by identifying public and private sector community-based interfaces and partnerships throughout service areas.

Provides legislative, regulatory and health industry intelligence to inform impact that leads to politically viable solutions for delivery system analysis in collaboration with internal content experts. 

Leads the Advocacy interface with internal Mission, Community Health, and Foundation leader(s) in statewide and regional coalitions & partnerships to strategically position external relations initiatives in the communities we serve.

Advances the public positioning of the ministry’s advocacy priorities of environmental stewardship, culture of non-violence, immigration reform, and healthcare for all in coordination with internal audiences and external stakeholders (e.g. government officials).

Continuously assess internal work associated with human trafficking in all markets and ensures community, clinical, and operations resource sharing is applied across the entire BSMH footprint.

Assures government policies support BSMH advocacy goals that uplift social determinants of health with an emphasis on utility and housing support, and racial and socioeconomic equity.

Demonstrates strong trade association and business organization relationships with an emphasis on those organizations where BSMH personnel serve in a board or committee capacity.

Identifies opportunity for organized grass-tops network, and mobilized internal grassroots support for issues when appropriate.

Champions internal process to develop action plans for executive and physician engagement on government matters, as well as governmental, industry trade / business organization, and community boards of interest.

Partners with internal departments that have external facing responsibilities to identify local, state, and federal grant opportunities to address BSMH’s commitment to improve community health and well-being.

Maintains registration as a state lobbyist on behalf of BSMH and ensures compliance of all related reporting requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Minimum Education: Bachelors in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Journalism or related degree required. Masters Juris Doctor, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, or related degree preferredMinimum Work Experience: 5-7 years in an external relations capacity

Required Skills

External RelationsGovernment RelationsRelationship ManagementStakeholder EngagementCommunity PartnershipsPublic RelationsAdvocacyPlanningCross Functional CollaborationLobbyingCommunicationsInterpersonal SkillsRelationship BuildingStrategic ThinkingCollaborationAnalyticsBusiness AcumenAdaptableAttention to DetailHealthcare Industry KnowledgeMany of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:

Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more

*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com