Legislative Relations Manager (WMS3/SPI)

Posting number: 2026-06472

Department: Health Care Authority

Division: SPI

Job classification: WMS BAND 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Legal, Public Health, Community Development, Project Management, Grants Administration, Research, Health Care Support, Program Management, Insurance

Legislative Relations Manager (WMS3/SPI)

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The Legislative Relations Manager represents the agency in external engagement on legislation, strategic initiatives, financial issues, and other health policy priorities. Working alongside Executive Leadership, this role helps build and maintain trusted relationships with the authorizing environment, develops proactive legislative engagement strategy and serves as a credible voice on behalf of the agency. Based in Olympia with telework flexibility outside of session, this role is a strong fit for a skilled communicator and strategic thinker with experience in government relations, health policy, or legislative affairs. 

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

The Strategy, Policy, & Innovation division (SPI) of the Health Care Authority (HCA) is statutorily directed to study all state-purchased health care, alternative health care delivery systems and strategies for the procurement of health services, and to coordinate state agency efforts to develop and implement uniform policies across state purchased health care programs. SPI serves as the focal point for coordinating the agency’s strategy, affordability, and health policy efforts. The division is structured to provide expert direction, consultation, and support for these activities. SPI is responsible for driving policy design, development and implementation of health reform, and health transformation activities and program development and refinements for all programs.

About the position:

The Legislative Relations Manager reports to the Special Assistant for Policy and Legislative Affairs and works directly with the Chief Policy Officer and other members of the executive leadership team (ELT) as appropriate. Alongside the Special Assistant for Policy and Legislative Affairs, the position represents the agency in external engagement on legislation, strategic initiatives, financial issues, and other activity.This position builds trust with the authorizing environment through clear, consistent communication on behalf of the agency and director, and will establish relationships with legislative staff, lobbyists, and government relations counterparts. The incumbent will establish and proactively pursue a strategic plan for legislative engagement during the legislative session and support outreach during interim, ensuring a constant and trusted voice on behalf of the HCA's priorities.

This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to report onsite and to the capital during legislative session to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location. 

Some of what you will do:

• Responsible for developing and implementing agency legislative strategy, including policy and budget priorities.
• Responsible for legislative communications and advocacy on behalf of HCA.
• Leads legislative engagement activities for approximately half of HCA program areas, including strategic planning and responding to legislative requests.
• Drafts legislation and policy papers to assist HCA programs.
• Facilitates stakeholder outreach and engagement in HCA activities, proactively sharing information and responding to inquiries.
• Consults agency executive leadership and recommends actions to be taken on legislative and political issues.
• Consults with agency managers to coordinate the development of the agency’s engagement with the Governor’s Office, OFM, the legislature, other agencies, and external lobbyists.
• Develops subject matter knowledge on the breadth of the agency’s program portfolio.
• Supports legislative affairs in training staff to support bill analysis and legislative report drafting.

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1: 

Master’s or Law degree with preference for competency in a health-related field and three (3) years of the required experience below

Option 2:

Bachelor's degree in a field identified above, and five (5) years of the required experience below

Option 3: 

Associate degree in a related field and (7) years of the required experience below

Option 4: 

Nine (9) years of the required experience below

The required experience includes:

• Experience in legislative or similar external relations, demonstrating in-depth knowledge and understanding of the state legislative process and experience with drafting legislation and amendments.
• Demonstrated experience in making presentations to external audiences on challenging policy or budget concepts. 
• Broad knowledge of local health care industry; low-income populations; Medicaid/CHIP and other federal laws affecting low-income populations, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and mechanisms to waive federal rules.
• Group facilitation and negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to promote teamwork and lead, coach, and mentor professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize measures and track success.

Required competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Strong collaboration and facilitation skills.
• Problem-solving skills. 
• Knowledge of state and federal health care laws.
• Understanding of state government systems and divisions of power.
• Flexible and open to change.

Preferred qualifications:

• Two years' experience and work with Medicaid or Behavioral health programs with additional experience in private health care coverage options and delivery systems in general.
• Experience in systems thinking and planning.
• Knowledge of historical context of Washington State Health policymaking and evolution of federal law impacting low-income populations, including Title XIX (Medicaid), Title XXI (CHIP), Title XVIII (Medicare), national health reform and Washington's tribes.
• Knowledge of federal rules, state regulations and state laws pertaining to health care reimbursement policies.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume 

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter. 
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov. 

About HCA: 

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby. 
• And free parking! 

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov.Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Lisa Fleming at (360) 725-1723 or lisa.fleming@hca.wa.gov

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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