Staff Vice President (VP) External Affairs

Anticipated End Date:

2026-04-19

Position Title:

Staff Vice President (VP) External Affairs

Job Description:

Staff Vice President (VP) External Affairs

Location  

Washington D.C

This role requires associates to be in-office at least 3 days per week, fostering collaboration and connectivity, while providing flexibility to support productivity and work-life balance. This approach combines structured office engagement with the autonomy of virtual work, promoting a dynamic and adaptable workplace. Alternate locations may be considered.  Please note that per our policy on hybrid/virtual work, candidates not within a reasonable commuting distance from the posting location(s) will not be considered for employment, unless an accommodation is granted as required by law.

Summary

The Staff Vice President, External Affairs is responsible for shaping and advancing integrated public affairs strategies that enhance the company’s legislative, regulatory, and reputational objectives. This role provides strategic leadership and oversight of advocacy, public affairs, political engagement, and coalition-building efforts across federal and state landscapes.

Reporting to the Vice President, Federal and External Affairs, the Staff VP serves as a senior leader who integrates business priorities with public policy strategies, ensures alignment across advocacy channels, and drives execution to influence policy outcomes and support business growth.

Team Scope

4 direct reports

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Integration

• Partner with senior leadership within Public Affairs and across the enterprise to design and execute a cohesive public affairs strategy aligned to legislative, regulatory, and business priorities.

• Translate enterprise and business unit objectives into integrated advocacy, communications, and political engagement strategies.

• Ensure alignment and coordination across federal, state, and business unit efforts to maximize enterprise impact.

Advocacy Campaign Leadership

• Oversee the design and execution of integrated advocacy campaigns supporting:

  • State legislative and regulatory priorities

  • Congressional engagement strategies

  • Executive branch and agency advocacy efforts

  • Cost of care and business development activities

• Direct the development of grassroots and grasstops strategies to mobilize stakeholders and influence policy outcomes.

• Ensure campaigns are strategically aligned, data-driven and executed, leveraging multi-channel approaches, including digital platforms, media, third-party engagement, and direct stakeholder outreach.

Public Affairs, Communications & Narrative Strategy

• Lead the development of enterprise-level public affairs campaigns, including unbranded communications and media strategies to shape public opinion and policy environments.

• Play a leading role in the development of proactive and reactive communications and management of issues related to federal and state policy and regulatory developments, including rapid response and shaping of the enterprise and advocacy narrative and proof points.

• Provide strategic direction for engaging with policymakers, including alignment on public communications such as letters, social media engagement, and other advocacy materials.

• Lead development of thought partnership platforms and executive/surrogate positioning to advance enterprise priorities.

• Guide storytelling strategies that support business development, and stakeholder engagement.

Coalition Building & External Engagement

• Lead coalition strategy, including the creation and management of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, where appropriate, to advance policy objectives.

• Build and maintain relationships with trade associations, advocacy organizations, policymakers, and key influencers to amplify impact.

• Represent the company in high-level external forums, coalitions, and public affairs initiatives.

Political Strategy & Third-Party Engagement

• Provide senior oversight of political engagement strategies and compliance with federal and state regulations.

• Leverage established relationships, including in Congress and the executive branch, as permissible, to advance Elevance Health priorities in alignment with Public Affairs strategies.

• Lead third-party engagement strategies, including consultants, advocacy organizations, and aligned partners to extend