AVP, Policy Development and Research

About the position Blue Plans cover, serve, and support more than 115 million Americans in every zip code across the country. The AVP, Policy Development and Research advances BCBSA’s reputation and standing as a trusted voice with policymakers by bringing clear solutions to complex and evolving healthcare issues, translating policy opportunities into actionable strategies, and driving adoption across diverse stakeholders. This leader works across multi-disciplinary teams, Blue Plans, and external partners to drive impactful policy solutions that focus on lower costs, expanding access, and strengthening coverage.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Policy Development Develops forward-looking healthcare policy strategies that advance impactful solutions on affordability, coverage, and access.
• Act as an advocate for BCBSA priorities and strengthen our role as a trusted, credible voice with policymakers, influencing and shaping the debate in national healthcare policy discussions.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, regulators, industry partners, and thought leaders to advance BCBSA’s policy objectives and influence outcomes in Washington.
• Continually scans the environment, develops early positioning , and conducts scenario planning to design policy initiatives.
• Aligns diverse perspectives across Plans and internal stakeholders while maintaining a clear point of view on strategic priorities and tradeoffs.
• Engage directly with Plan and BCBSA leadership on policy to drive toward measurable progress, facilitating alignment where possible and providing clear, values‑based recommendations when alignment cannot be fully achieved.
• Apply deep expertise in healthcare policy to align with business, operations, and product leaders on the implications policy may have on Blues Plans and recommend pragmatic, workable solutions.
• Policy Research, Data, and Evaluation Oversees the design, execution, and strategic application of high impact research initiatives, including microsimulation modeling in multiple markets, advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis using internal and external data, and the development of credible, data-driven research products, such as white papers, policy briefs, blogs, and issue analyses to support policy priorities.
• Leads the BCBSA Center for Policy Research, translating complex data and analyses into clear, actionable insights for policymakers, Plans, partners, and media on critical issues including affordability, coverage, public programs, prescription drug pricing, and market dynamics.
• Manages a significant budget and team of external research consultants to drive both in-depth, long-term analyses as well as rapid-response analytics to support fast-moving legislative or regulatory issues.
• Strategically leverages BCBSA’s proprietary data assets to generate credible, differentiated insights that directly inform policy development, advocacy strategies, and engagement with policymakers, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
• Team and Operational Leadership Manages a multidisciplinary team of policy analysts and researchers, fostering collaboration and developing talent across policy and research functions.
• Collaborates across a matrixed reporting environment to support integrated policy, advocacy and communications strategy to drive outcomes.
• Coordinates with finance, procurement, and executive leadership to oversee budgets, contracts, external consultants, and project reporting.

Requirements

• Education: Strongly prefer Master's Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy or a related field; or equivalent experience
• Experience: 12 years in healthcare policy, preferably a blend of congressional, regulatory, and private-sector experience, reflecting progressively responsible leadership roles.
• A deep knowledge and intimate understanding of the political, legislative and regulatory environment and processes and experience with high-impact research projects.
• Broad, strategic perspectives and creative thinking on a wide range of policy issues.
• Experience developing and driving impactful policymaking, in both the legislative and executive branches.
• Innovative thinker with ability to leverage data assets to advance strategy and policy initiatives.
• An understanding of the healthcare marketplace and industry is essential, as is an understanding of how related federal regulatory and legislative issues affect BCBS business strategies.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills to explain, inform, negotiate, and persuade, both internal and external audiences.
• Represent BCBS with the media, congressional and executive staff, external consultants, industry thought leaders, and other health policy resources/audiences.
• Executive presence for interacting with and influencing key leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for building and fostering important relationships.
• Balancing creative ideas, solutions, and perspectives with strong leadership, principled judgment, and decisive decision making both strategically and tactically is critical.
• A collaborative team player is absolutely essential.

Benefits

• paid time off
• 11 holidays
• medical/dental/vision insurance
• generous 401(k) matching
• lifestyle spending account
• annual bonus incentive pay

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