Government Relations Manager

Who We Are:

The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association dedicated to transforming health care by supporting the entire spectrum of medical education, medical research, and patient care conducted by our member institutions. We are dedicated to the communities we serve and steadfast in our goal to improve the health of all.

At the AAMC, we are committed to supporting our employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to promote well-being, professionaldevelopment, and work-life balance. 

• Hybrid Work – Primarily remote roles with the ability to work across the U.S.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness – Medical, dental, and vision coverage; wellness programs; and fitness reimbursement

• Generous Time Away – Paid time off, holidays, personal days, sick leave, paid parental leave and short‑ and long‑term disability benefits.

• Retirement & Financial Well-Being – 403(b) retirement plan with generous employer contributions and financial planning resources

• Family & Care Support – Backup care for children, elders, and pets, plus resources for families with specialized needs
• Learning & Purpose: Tuition reimbursement, professional learning and development opportunities and the chance to advance a meaningful mission.

Additional information can be found on our website.

Why us, why now?

The Government Relations Manager serves as a recognized subject-matter expert within Government Relations, independently advancing AAMC's federal advocacy priorities related to the federal budget/appropriations, medical research, public health, Veterans Affairs, and higher education. The role leads legislative analysis, advocacy strategy implementation, and major coalition initiatives within the portfolio; represents AAMC before Congress, federal agencies, and national coalitions; and serves as the primary lead for significant advocacy partnerships and policy initiatives. The position exercises significant judgment in complex, evolving policy environments, provides strategic recommendations to senior leadership, and leads cross-functional efforts that advance organizational priorities.

How you will make an impact?

Lead Federal Advocacy Strategy Implementation, Coalition Engagement, and Legislative Analysis:

• Lead advocacy planning and implementation efforts for assigned policy priorities and legislative initiatives.

• Serve as subject matter expert for designated legislative and regulatory issue areas.

• Develop strategic recommendations for leadership regarding emerging legislative opportunities, risks, and stakeholder engagement approaches.

• Build relationships with, and educate Congress, Federal Executive Branch, AAMC constituents, and advocacy partners on AAMC policy priorities.

• Help position AAMC as a respected resource regarding academic medicine issues by:

• Developing advocacy materials and implementing advocacy messaging and strategy;

• Leading Congressional advocacy meetings and educating Members of Congress and their staff;

• Developing and maintaining professional relationships with congressional staff and advocacy partners;

• Organizing Congressional briefings on AAMC priorities;

• Increasing Congressional support for AAMC-supported legislation;

• Staffing and leading the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research Coalition and related higher education coalitions;

• Representing the AAMC and related policy priorities at Congressional hearings, briefings, and stakeholder meetings with fellow health care organizations;

• Leading and facilitating working groups for government relations representatives on key issues as advocacy needs emerge;

• Coordinating cross-functional advocacy efforts involving policy, communications, research, and constituent engagement teams throughout the organization; and

• Informing AAMC constituents of important legislative and regulatory activity and communicating the AAMC’s views to the medical and scientific research, physician, hospital, health, and higher education communities.

• Serve as AAMC legislative issue lead to track, analyze, and summarize for internal and external audiences legislation and regulations at various stages of the policymaking process, including issue briefs and one- pagers.

• Monitor and respond to fast-moving legislative and regulatory developments, providing rapid analysis, strategic recommendations, and messaging guidance during time-sensitive or high-impact situations affecting AAMC priorities.

Lead Strategic Coalition Management for the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research:

• Serve as Deputy Director for the AAMC-led Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, managing day-to-day coalition operations and helping to shape advocacy strategies, priorities, and engagement activities in partnership with the Senior Director, Government Relations/coalition Executive Director :

• Drafting correspondence on behalf of the coalition,

• Leading working groups,

• Developing and disseminating materials to the coalition,

• Managing content on the coalition’s website,

• Shaping the development of the coalition agenda, and

• Leading and participating in strategy and advocacy meetings.

Lead Strategic Advocacy Communications:

• Serve as Washington Highlights co-editor and assist in creating and updating materials for the advocacy section of the AAMC website.

• Manage Washington Highlights contributors across the organization to secure, review, and publish content for the newsletter.

Special Projects and Mentorship:

• Work directly with Chief Public Policy Officer and others across the association to manage several high priority projects and organizational strategy issues.

• Lead project teams and workgroups established to address emerging legislative and policy priorities.

• Participate in selected meetings on behalf of the Department or the organization, deliver presentations on topics within portfolio.

• Provide guidance, coaching, mentorship, and review of work products for legislative analysts, specialists, and other staff across the association supporting advocacy initiatives.

What you will bring to the role

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree is required for this position, along with a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in federal government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, health policy, higher education policy, scientific research advocacy, or related fields, including demonstrated experience leading major advocacy initiatives, legislative portfolios, coalition activities, or policy programs.  related work experience (advanced degree in a related field can substitute as appropriate).

• Recognized subject matter expertise in federal legislative and regulatory processes, advocacy strategy, coalition engagement, and policy analysis.

• Demonstrated experience leading significant advocacy initiatives, coalitions, programs, or cross-functional projects.

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in federal government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, health policy, higher education policy, scientific research advocacy, or related fields, including demonstrated experience leading major advocacy initiatives, legislative portfolios, coalition activities, or policy programs, including experience:

• Developing legislative strategy recommendations and advising organizational leadership regarding policy opportunities, risks, and engagement approaches.

• Working with elected officials at local, state, and federal level;

• Covering hearings, briefings, and related events;

• Handling advocacy and constituency coalitions communications and inquiries;

• Tracking and analyzing federal legislative and regulatory issues;

• Experience working on federal budget, appropriations, medical research, public health, health care, higher education, Veterans Affairs, or related policy issues.

• Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills (with particular emphasis on writing) required.

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Ability to utilize AAMC software to work with the team to post approved content online.

• Presenting on and communicating analyses and positions on key legislative and policy issues to various audiences;

• Drafting and disseminating policy documents and related materials.

• Facilitating working groups, leading collaborative initiatives, and driving consensus among internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience working on federal budget, appropriations, medical research, public health, health care, higher education, Veterans Affairs, or related policy issues.

• Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills (with particular emphasis on writing) required.

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Ability to utilize AAMC software to work with the team to post approved content online.

Preferred Experience:

• Working knowledge of policy areas important to medical schools and teaching hospitals.

• Experience running and writing government affairs newsletter.

Remote Work Eligibility

Compensation Grade Range

Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors may include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, as well as internal equity, market, and business considerations.

If a bachelor’s degree is required, related work experience may be substituted in some positions.  One year of college course work at an accredited institution is equivalent to one year of related work experience.

The AAMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AAMC is committed to an Equal Employment Opportunity policy in recruitment, hiring, career advancement, and all other personnel practices. The AAMC will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, past or current military service, or any other legally protected characteristic. The AAMC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the AAMC will ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and/or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the talent acquisition team.

Please attach a resume as part of the application process. It is important that files DO NOT include periods ( . ) within the file name.

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