Director of Government Affairs

About the role

This role can be located near Albany, NY, Boston, MA, or Edison, NJ. Modivcare is looking for an experienced Government Affairs Director to lead and execute the Company's government affairs strategy across the Northeast region (approximately 12 states), heavily supporting both NEMT and Personal Care businesses. The position serves as the company's senior in-state representative and the face of the Company before state legislatures, governors' offices, Medicaid agencies, and other executive branch leadership. Responsibilities include leading legislative and regulatory engagement, managing contract lobbyists, monitoring and responding to policy developments, and partnering closely with Sales, Business Development, Operations, Product, Legal, Compliance, and Marketing to protect and strengthen the Company's market position. The role designs and implements state-level advocacy strategies aligned with enterprise priorities and manages engagement with key stakeholders and execution of public affairs initiatives in collaboration with Corporate Affairs leadership.

Responsibilities

Government Affairs

• Serves as the company's primary representative at assigned state capitols before executive leadership, including Medicaid directors, transportation program leaders, and personal care services (PCS) administrators
• Develops and maintains direct relationships with legislative leaders and their staff, committee staff, executive branch officials, and regulatory authorities to advance the company's policy and business objectives
• Leads state-level legislative and executive branch advocacy efforts, including direct lobbying, engagement with agency leadership, and coordination with contract lobbyists as appropriate
• Monitors, analyzes, and interprets legislative, regulatory, and procurement activity for potential impact to the Company's operations, contracts, reimbursement, and compliance obligations
• Tracks and assesses legislative and regulatory developments and communicates risks, opportunities, and recommended actions to senior leadership and cross-functional partners
• Prepares and delivers testimony, comment letters, issue briefs, and executive talking points for legislative hearings, regulatory proceedings, and stakeholder meetings
• Partners closely with Sales, Business Development, and Operations to engage proactively with Medicaid, transportation, and PCS program leadership in support of contract retention, procurement readiness, and rate stability
• Supports implementation of enacted legislation or regulations by coordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure operational readiness and alignment
• Represents the Company in relevant state-based committees, advisory groups, and trade associations

Public Affairs

• Implements and manages state-level public affairs initiatives in collaboration with the Vice President and Corporate Affairs leadership
• Executes grassroots and grasstops engagement efforts when activated, including stakeholder outreach, coalition coordination, and third-party engagement, ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy and messaging
• Supports coalition participation and alliance development efforts in-region, maintaining relationships with provider groups, community stakeholders, advocacy organizations, and industry associations
• Conducts stakeholder mapping and maintains ongoing engagement plans for policymakers, regulators, and key influencers in assigned states
• Provides local intelligence and risk assessments related to strategic alliances, community partnerships, and stakeholder positioning
• Deploys surrogate engagement strategies in-region, identifying and coordinating appropriate third-party validators consistent with enterprise guidance

Political Strategy

• Provides insight into state political dynamics, leadership transitions, and electoral environments that may impact regulatory oversight, procurement cycles, or reimbursement frameworks
• Supports state-level political engagement activities consistent with company governance standards and Corporate Affairs strategy
• Advises Corporate Affairs leadership on emerging policy trends, enforcement risks, and stakeholder sentiment within assigned states
• May lead projects and performs other duties as assigned

Business travel required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; advanced degree in public policy, public administration, law, or related field preferred
• Ten (10) plus years of relevant work experience in state government affairs, public policy, or public affairs, including direct experience working with state legislatures, governors' offices, or executive branch agencies
• Demonstrated experience serving as a primary external representative before policymakers and regulators
• Experience coordinating or managing contract lobbyists and external stakeholders
• Experience in healthcare, Medicaid, Medicare, transportation policy, human services, or other regulated industries preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience
• Strong project management and judgment skills, including ability to work under deadline with limited supervision
• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting testimony, comment letters, and executive briefings
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to interpret legislative language and regulatory guidance and translate implications into business insights
• Ability to collaborate internally across Sales, Business Development, Operations, Product, Legal, Compliance, and Marketing with a high level of professionalism
• Real-world experience advancing state-level legislative and regulatory strategies that supported business objectives
• Understanding of state procurement and rate-setting environments, particularly in Medicaid, non-emergency medical transportation, and personal care services
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior policymakers, agency leaders, and external stakeholders
• Confidence and presence necessary to serve as the company's lead representative in a state or region
• Ability to manage multiple states with differing political and regulatory environments while maintaining strategic alignment with enterprise priorities
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within assigned states
• Willing to travel 60% of the time

Pay

Salary: $159,900 - $200,000. Position is bonus eligible based on individual and company performance.

Schedule & Physical Demands

Combination of office work and travel; frequent standing and walking; driving between locations; use of computers and mobile devices; occasional lifting up to 20 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.