Head of Public Policy
Actuaries play a critical role in developing effective and sustainable policy that balances the interests of different stakeholders for programs that touch the lives of the public including social security, health care and insurance affordability, auto and flood coverage, and more. As Head of Public Policy for the American Academy of Actuaries, leading three direct reports and a total team of 16, you will own the strategy and execution for all public policy initiatives, including all activity of the public policy committees, staff, and fellows of the American Academy of Actuaries, in support of its goals and objectives.
This is a high-profile position using your depth of experience in legislative and regulatory public policy to work with senior leaders, staff, and volunteer committees to ensure alignment on strategic direction while building and maintaining relationships with federal, state, and association stakeholders. We will look to you to increase the Academy’s involvement and visibility in public policy for each member practice area (casualty, health, life, pension, and risk management and financial reporting), positioning the Academy as the primary trusted resource for actuarial guidance among policymakers and our members.
How You’ll Make an Impact
- Develop and implement the Academy’s overall public policy strategy in line with our strategic plan. This requires planning for and setting a direction in collaboration with staff, fellows, and volunteers based on input and approval from the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
- Oversee the development and implementation of action plans for each practice area in direct collaboration with other Academy leaders, policy directors, analysts, and fellows. This requires stakeholder relationship development and consensus-building for specific projects and initiatives from the membership and staff. It also requires working with the Executive Director, Vice-Presidents, Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors to establish priorities and provide status reports. Team management and staff coordination are vital components of this area of work.
- Provide counsel and support to Communications staff to achieve significant visibility for the Academy on public policy issues while maintaining a high standard of credibility. Work closely with the Communications staff to find opportunities within the trade and popular media and build interest within the broader policy community regarding the role and work of the Academy.
- Guide the strategy on how to develop, nurture and maintain relationships with and include lobbyists, consumer groups, policy researchers, and academics in Academy public policy projects. Guide a similar strategy for Members of Congress and their staff, White House officials and their staff, federal and state agency and regulatory staff, state elected officials, and global supranational organizations when applicable.
- Provide senior staff leadership for the department and team of professionals, including developing a departmental budget, meeting budget goals, promoting team management of projects, training and professional development, and ensuring that the incumbent staff lives the culture of the organization and supports teaming and collaboration with all others in the Academy. Enhance the performance and productivity of the Public Policy staff through process improvement, coaching, and leadership support.
- Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of the issues and interests central to the profession to identify public policy needs and/or opportunities and recommend effective courses of action or projects.
Work Environment and Benefits
- You’ll enjoy a flexible hybrid work environment, including two days in our Washington, DC office and three days of telework.
- This position offers an outstanding benefits package including generous PTO (holiday, sick, annual, and personal leave); medical, dental, and vision plans; flexible savings account; 401(k) with employer contribution; Life, STD, LTD, and AD&D insurance; commuter benefits; tuition reimbursement; employee assistance program; pension plan; and referral program.
Responsibilities
- Set priorities for the public policy program; monitor and coordinate the staff’s workload.
- Initiate Academy projects to meet the needs of elected officials and legislative and regulatory staff while maintaining an appropriate format for objective, independent actuarial input/analysis.
- Oversee quality review of monographs, issue briefs, testimony, and other public statements on Academy public policy issues.
- Ensure that public statements are drafted in accordance with Academy policies and procedures and approved by Executive Director (or that proper approval is obtained).
- Guide and contribute to the Academy’s response to outside inquiries for public policy information and comment, collaborating with the Communications team and other staff to ensure that such requests are responded to efficiently and appropriately.
- Oversee the monitoring and reporting of legislative and regulatory developments at all levels.
- Stay abreast of policy developments and guides awareness of such developments with the team in all practice areas as well as when legislation/regulation includes actuarial content; work with policy analysts to brainstorm ideas and opportunities for potential Committee work projects.
- Develop and guide specific strategies for ensuring that public policy committee and task force products and volunteers have access to appropriate audiences and coordinate such strategies with the Executive Director and Communications staff.
- Represent the Academy in policy forums and meetings, Congressional interaction, contact with trade associations, including making appropriate presentations at such meetings.
- Maintain coordination between Academy projects and those outside the profession, including trade associations, academics, and government.
- Serve as staff liaison on select Academy committees, task forces, and work groups.
- Serve as primary relationship liaison to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), including assisting the Executive Director at all relevant Academy/NAIC meetings.
- Oversee the involvement of Academy representatives in public hearings, Academy-sponsored meetings related to public policy initiatives, and other events.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with coursework in government, political science, economics, or related subjects. A minimum of ten years of experience in public policy (either at the state or federal level) that required extensive interaction with elected officials, regulatory and legislative staff, and responsibility for stakeholder relationship development. This includes five years or more at a leadership level managing a team of professionals and with direct association experience. An advanced degree is preferred and required in a related field if years of experience requirements are not met. Interaction with and exposure to a Board of Directors is required.
- In-depth knowledge of how Congress functions formally and informally; have a deep working knowledge of the legislative and regulatory processes, as well as the politics involved in both. Proven relationship development experience and acumen, working across diverse stakeholder groups at all levels of government.
- Strong organizational skills with an ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects; coordinate and actively work on several projects at once while working under strict deadlines.
- Excellent communications skills; writing skills to produce accurate and succinct public statements; public speaking skills for both internal and external presentations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to manage diverse staff and to work effectively on technical content with other staff, outside parties, Academy leadership, committee volunteers, and the general membership. Positive work ethic that creates an environment and culture of inclusion, cooperation, teamwork, and productivity.
- Ability to effectively coach, train and supervise employees and monitor their progress; ability to manage and motivate diverse staff, including effecting delegation and empowerment, to achieve successful and sustained career growth and performance.
About Us
The American Academy of Actuaries is a D.C.-based 19,500+ member professional association whose mission is to serve the public and the U.S. actuarial profession. Through our public policy work, we seek to address pressing issues that require or would benefit by the sound application of actuarial principles. The Academy provides unbiased actuarial expertise and advice to public policy decision makers and stakeholders at the state, federal and international levels in all areas of actuarial qualifications. It also advocates on behalf of the profession and promotes the use of actuaries in non-traditional areas.
To Apply
We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.
Use the "Apply" button on this page or simply email your resume to Aileen Hedden at resumes@staffingadvisors.com with “The Academy – Head of Public Policy #2023-2769 SA” as the subject of the email.
Job responsibilities are similar to the following positions: Director, Federal Advocacy, VP of Policy and Advocacy, Vice President of Federal Affairs, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs.
Please note: An independent compensation consultant will evaluate this position to determine the most equitable salary.
Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
Internally this position title is: Senior Director, Public Policy
