Director of Federal Affairs, Health Care

Posting Date: 8/18/2026

Location: Rockville, MD

Cluster/Team: Government Affairs and Public Policy Cluster/Federal Team

Coach: Senior Director, Federal & Political Advocacy

Salary Range (Non-Negotiable): $136,309 - $151,454

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Description

This position is responsible for the identification, development, and management of strategic relationships with Members of Congress and political appointees in executive branch agencies for the purpose of advancing the health care priorities of ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda on behalf of the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.

Responsibilities

1. Initiates and collaborates to identify, develop, execute, and evaluate coordinated advocacy strategies designed to advance ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda.
2. Carries out federal strategic lobbying activities related to advancing the health care priorities of ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda.
3. Identifies, develops, and manages strategic relationships with key United States Senators and Representatives, Congressional staff, and political appointees of executive branch agencies.
4. Proposes, reviews and offers comment as needed on relevant policy recommendations that are designed to advance ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda.
5. Identifies, develops, maintains, and leverages strategic relationships with relevant staff of external organizations, including coalitions, in accordance with relevant ASHA policies.
6. Collaborates on strategic communications, messaging, and grassroots materials that are designed to advance ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda. Develops articles and other products for online and print communications.
7. Advises the Director of Political Affairs on supporting Members of Congress and congressional candidates who support the health care priorities within the Association’s Public Policy Agenda, and attends political events on behalf of ASHA-PAC.

Qualifications

Knowledge and skills typically acquired through:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, government, public policy or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred
• 5 years of experience on Capitol Hill, or direct federal lobbying experience in health care policies at an association or corporation; experience as Congressional staff and/or at a nonprofit association is strongly preferred

Scope and depth of technical skills/knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability in strategic lobbying activities
• Demonstrated ability to influence and persuade Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and/or political appointees of executive branch agencies
• Extensive existing relationships with key Members of Congress, Congressional staff, or political appointees of executive branch agencies
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain new strategic relationships with lawmakers, policymakers and allied stakeholders
• Demonstrated negotiation skills
• Demonstrated understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes
• Working knowledge of health care policies that impact ASHA is desirable
• Working knowledge of communication sciences and disorders is desirable

Scope and depth of nontechnical skills/knowledge:

• Strong collaborative and facilitative leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, prioritize, organize, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and a creative approach to work.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve consensus when opposing viewpoints are presented.