Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Advocacy

Role Overview
Jarrard is seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial leader based in the Washington, D.C. area to expand and play a key leadership role in our broader Public Affairs and Advocacy offering. This role reflects a critical growth priority for the firm as healthcare organizations face intensifying scrutiny, policy volatility and political complexity at the federal, state and local levels. The Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Advocacy will help shape and further activate Jarrard’s public affairs and advocacy vision, expanding capabilities and bandwidth, and building durable client and market impact across the full spectrum of public affairs, including advocacy campaign development and execution, policy intelligence, stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and government relations. This leader will serve as a trusted advisor to C‑suite executives, boards, and government affairs leaders, helping clients protect and advance strategic priorities through coordinated public affairs, advocacy and government relations strategies and tactics. As a senior leader at the firm, the SVP will help define market strategy, grow revenue, ensure excellence in client delivery, and recruit, develop, and inspire top‑tier talent.

Responsibilities
Client Service & Public Affairs Leadership

Serve as a senior trusted advisor to healthcare leaders navigating complex public policy, regulatory, reputational, and political challenges

Lead the development and execution of integrated public affairs, advocacy and government relations strategies aligned to client business objectives

Advise clients on positioning for or against legislative, regulatory, and policy actions at the federal, state and local levels

Oversee coalition and alliance development, including multi‑stakeholder and federal and multi‑state advocacy initiatives

Partner with colleagues across strategic communications, research, digital, and creative teams to deliver cohesive, high‑impact programs

Ensure consistently high‑quality client work delivered on time, on budget, and aligned to scope

Policy Advocacy

Provide strategic counsel on legislative and regulatory strategy, including engagement with elected officials, regulators, and third‑party stakeholders

Guide clients on government relations strategy, including issue briefings, testimony development, fly‑ins, site visits, and regulatory engagement

Advise on political strategy, including grasstops and grassroots activation, compliance considerations, and integration with broader public affairs efforts

Stay abreast of healthcare policy developments and political dynamics impacting providers, payers, health tech and related sectors

Business Development & Growth

Lead growth of the Public Affairs & Advocacy offering with responsibility for revenue generation and pipeline development

Leverage existing relationships and build new senior‑level relationships with healthcare leaders, associations, and partners

Identify market opportunities, emerging issues, and client needs that align to Jarrard’s capabilities and growth strategy

Collaborate with firm and practice leadership and the business development team to shape offerings, craft proposals, and win new work

Represent Jarrard through speaking engagements, conferences, thought leadership, and industry visibility

Thought Leadership & Market Positioning

Help define and articulate Jarrard’s point of view on healthcare public affairs, advocacy, and political dynamics

Contribute to firm thought leadership, including policy briefings, white papers, presentations, and client‑facing insights

Strengthen Jarrard’s market reputation as a go‑to partner for high‑stakes public affairs and advocacy challenges in healthcare

Team Leadership & Firm Management

Recruit, develop, and lead high‑performing teams of public affairs and communications professionals

Coach and mentor colleagues, supporting career growth through Jarrard’s talent development platform

Ensure strong project management, fiscal oversight, and productivity across engagements

Actively participate in firm leadership, planning, and culture‑building initiatives

Model and reinforce Jarrard’s mission, values, and commitment to excellence

Qualifications And Desired Skills

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, communications, business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred

Minimum of 15 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, or related roles (including congressional or regulatory agency roles), with deep healthcare sector expertise

Demonstrated experience advising senior executives or boards on public policy, advocacy, or political strategy

Strong understanding of healthcare policy and regulatory dynamics at the federal, state and local levels

Established professional network across healthcare, policy, and government stakeholders

Track record of building and leading teams and managing complex, multi‑disciplinary client engagements

Experience driving revenue growth, managing budgets, and ensuring engagement profitability

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong executive presence

Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort building new offerings and navigating ambiguity

Willingness to travel occasionally for client work, firm gatherings, and industry events

What You Can Expect From Us

High‑stakes work that makes healthcare better

A collaborative, inclusive, and mission‑driven culture

The opportunity to shape and grow a strategically important firm capability

Meaningful investment in your professional growth and leadership development

Flexibility through a remote work model with national reach

Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package, including health benefits, retirement plan, paid time off, and wellness support

Salary range: $215,000–$295,000, plus potential annual discretionary bonus. The salary range for this role takes into account a wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skills, experience, training, licensure and certifications, practice area, and other business and organizational needs. In addition, Jarrard offers several benefits including medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, disability insurance, life insurance, 401(k) match, paid time off, wellness stipend, and additional voluntary benefits.

At Jarrard and Chartis, we pride ourselves on having a diverse workforce. We value and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals and the different perspectives they provide. We offer equal‑opportunity employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, marital status, or protected veteran status.

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