Senior Specialist, Policy and Advocacy

About the role

The Senior Specialist, Policy & Advocacy provides advanced, technical expertise in researching and analyzing policy and advocacy issues and in developing and implementing education and communications outreach to elected officials, and internal and external stakeholders. The role also serves as a team lead, leading work on large scale, highly complex projects and assigning work and providing coaching and mentoring to other policy and advocacy team members.

Responsibilities

• Researches, foresees, and provides coaching and guidance to internal stakeholders on potential policy issues that could impact local, state, regional, and/or national strategies for Denver Health.
• Develops and provides recommendations to Government Affairs team and leadership on key priorities or opportunities for policy/advocacy work, after researching and assessing organizational needs, objectives, and challenges.
• Conducts research on complex, undefined, or novel policy issues impacting DHHA and provides recommendations on how to achieve specific objectives; and designs advocacy strategies to accomplish objectives.
• Participates in local, state, regional and national efforts related to policy and advocacy events and committees.
• Maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, to include lobbyists, key elected officials and public policy leaders. Serves as liaison between program, department, DHHA and community partners on large scale initiatives and strategies.
• Provides consultative support and advice to internal stakeholders and Government Affairs team on community engagement activities and partnership opportunities. Plans and leads activities and partnerships in support of large scale initiatives and strategies.
• Led the design and delivery of training and technical assistance to support strategies as identified by department, division and community partners.
• Leads and/or works on highly complex or controversial policy and advocacy issues; performs project management activities and helps other team members prioritize requests and projects. Provides technical expertise on programs, processes, and best practices across all issue areas. Leads the team in collecting internal stakeholder feedback on current issues and emerging trends, ensuring coordination and alignment across issue areas.
• Partners with Government Affairs leadership to develop and disseminate communications out to the organization on projects and hot topics.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree political science, advocacy or other related field required, -OR- 4 years of related additional experience in lieu of degree.
• 7-9 years experience in policy or advocacy work required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of all levels of government and the state legislative methods and procedures.
• Working knowledge of the political and legislative process, and ability to analyze effects of proposed legislation.
• Ability to establish and maintain courteous and effective working relationships with all elected and governmental officials.
• Ability to create persuasive arguments and excellent negotiation skills.
• Expert skill in public speaking; strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent networking skills.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Communicating — Communicating effectively orally and in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience, express or exchange ideas by verbal communications.
• Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
• Problem solving - the ability to systematically analyze problems, draw relevant conclusions and devise appropriate courses of action.
• Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of all levels of government and the state legislative methods and procedures.
• Working knowledge of the political and legislative process, and ability to analyze effects of proposed legislation.
• Ability to establish and maintain courteous and effective working relationships with all elected and governmental officials.
• Ability to create persuasive arguments and excellent negotiation skills.
• Expert skill in public speaking; strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent networking skills.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Communicating — Communicating effectively orally and in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience, express or exchange ideas by verbal communications.
• Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
• Problem solving - the ability to systematically analyze problems, draw relevant conclusions and devise appropriate courses of action.
• Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you. Here Is a Small List Of Our Benefit Programs Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5% Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance. Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation) Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more Tuition reimbursement & assistance Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

Pay

$86,600.00 - $134,300.00 / yr

Schedule

Regular