Regional Director of Strategic Development & Government Affairs

About the Role

The Director, Strategic Development & Government Affairs is a field-based leadership role responsible for advancing PACS Group's growth, regulatory standing, and community relationships within an assigned region. Reporting to the Regional Vice President, this role serves as the primary liaison between PACS facilities and state and local government bodies, regulatory agencies, industry associations, and elected officials that shape the post-acute and long-term care operating environment. The Director also leads strategic development activities — including market expansion analysis, licensure and Certificate of Need (CON) initiatives, and key referral and community partnerships — that support the region's growth and reputation objectives. This individual operates as a trusted advisor to regional and facility leadership, translating policy and regulatory developments into operational guidance, and representing PACS Group's interests proactively with external stakeholders across the region.

Responsibilities

• Government Affairs & Regulatory Engagement
  • Serve as the region's primary point of contact with state health departments, Medicaid agencies, survey and certification bodies, and other regulatory authorities.
  • Monitor state and local legislative and regulatory activity affecting skilled nursing, senior living, and post-acute care; assess impact and brief regional and corporate leadership.
  • Build and maintain relationships with legislators, regulators, and industry associations (e.g., state health care associations) to represent PACS Group's interests and protect facility operations.
  • Support facility leadership in preparing for and responding to state surveys, licensure actions, and regulatory inquiries in partnership with Compliance and Clinical Operations.
  • Track and manage Certificate of Need (CON), licensure, and change-of-ownership (CHOW) filings for the region in coordination with legal and corporate development.
• Strategic Development
  • Identify and evaluate regional growth opportunities, including acquisitions, de novo development, bed additions, and partnership arrangements, in coordination with the corporate development team.
  • Conduct market assessments (demographics, competitive landscape, referral patterns, reimbursement environment) to inform regional growth strategy.
  • Partner with the RVP and facility Administrators to develop and execute local market strategies that strengthen census, payer mix, and referral relationships.
  • Support due diligence and integration activities for regional transactions, including regulatory and licensure workstreams.
• Community & Stakeholder Relations
  • Build and sustain relationships with hospital systems, referral partners, community organizations, and civic leaders to elevate PACS Group's regional reputation.
  • Represent PACS Group at industry, community, and government events; coordinate facility participation in local advocacy efforts.
  • Serve as a regional resource for crisis communications and public relations matters involving government or regulatory stakeholders, in partnership with Corporate Communications.
  • Coordinate with facility Administrators to ensure consistent, accurate messaging with external stakeholders across the region.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Business, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
  • Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in government affairs, public policy, health care administration, or strategic development, with direct exposure to skilled nursing, senior living, or post-acute care preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience working with state regulatory agencies, legislators, or industry associations in a health care context.
  • Experience supporting M&A, licensure, or CON processes strongly preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Working knowledge of state Medicaid, licensure, and survey/certification frameworks governing post-acute and long-term care.
  • Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills across government, clinical, and business audiences.
  • Ability to translate regulatory and legislative developments into clear, actionable guidance for operational leaders.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable representing the organization publicly.
  • Strong analytical skills, including market and competitive assessment.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives independently in a field-based, multi-site environment.
• Other Requirements
  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation; ability to travel throughout the assigned region on a regular basis, including some overnight travel.
  • Ability to work from a home office with regular presence at facilities and stakeholder locations throughout the region.

Working Conditions

This is a field-based position requiring regular travel to skilled nursing and senior living facilities, government offices, and community locations throughout the assigned region. Work is performed in a combination of home office, facility, and travel settings. Occasional evening or weekend engagement may be required to support legislative sessions, association events, or facility needs.

First-Year Success Metrics

• Established working relationships with key regulatory and government contacts across the region — state health department, Medicaid agency, and survey/certification leads — evidenced by direct access when issues arise.
• Added a defined number of buildings to the VA (or other target payer/referral) RFP or network pipeline in the region (e.g., "5 buildings added to VA CCN network eligibility").
• Led or directly supported at least one CON, licensure, or CHOW filing to a successful outcome within the region.
• Completed a market assessment for each sub-market in the region, resulting in a prioritized list of growth targets (acquisition, de novo, bed addition) reviewed with the RVP and corporate development.
• Built a regional legislative/regulatory tracking process, with monthly briefings delivered to the RVP and impacted facility Administrators.
• Established relationships with hospital systems and key referral partners in at least the top 3 markets in the region, with documented improvement in referral volume or quality where applicable.
• Represented PACS Group at a defined number of industry, government, or community events, with a visible increase in the organization's regional profile.
• Zero unaddressed regulatory or compliance escalations tied to a lack of government affairs engagement or advance notice.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• PTO and Vacation: Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Financial Wellness: Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with company contributions.
• Support When You Need It: Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) for confidential support.