Company: Association for Behavioral Healthcare
Job description:
Organization Description:
For more than 40 years, the Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) has been the leading advocacy organization in Massachusetts’ mental health and addiction services arena. Fighting for high-quality, community-based care for families and individuals with mental illness, addiction and substance-use disorders, ABH provides leadership on important public policy, financing, regulatory, and programmatic issues.
ABH is a statewide association representing eighty community-based mental health and addiction treatment provider organizations. Our members are the primary providers of publicly-funded behavioral healthcare services in the Commonwealth, serving approximately 81,000 Massachusetts residents daily and over three-quarters of a million residents annually, and employing 37,500 people.
ABH represents its member providers to funding, legislative and regulatory agencies at the state and national levels and has become a powerful and compelling advocacy organization to ensure that citizens throughout the Commonwealth have access to quality, comprehensive community- based care.
ABH has had important leadership roles in key legislative and policy successes, including the state’s landmark rate setting law (Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2008), substance use disorder treatment access law (Chapter 258 of the Acts of 2014), and mental healthcare access law (Chapter 177 of the Acts of 2022). The Legislative Affairs Senior Manager is vital team member in advancing our agenda.
More information about ABH is available on our website: www.abhmass.org.
Position Summary:
The Legislative Affairs Senior Manager is responsible for working with the President/CEO, ABH’s external lobbying team and the Board of Directors to design and implement ABH’s public policy agenda, particularly as they relate to public and private insurance coverage of behavioral health services. ABH is intensifying its focus on insurance coverage, and payment policies for mental health and addiction treatment services as a critical component in expanding access to care.
Reports to: President/CEO
Position Responsibilities:
Provides leadership and support to President/CEO and Board on areas of strategic focus or political complexity, including workforce development and retention and criminal justice, and makes recommendations in furtherance of the Association’s agenda.
Work with the President/CEO to develop and implement advocacy strategies relating to state and federal government budgets, legislation, regulations, programs, and other initiatives.
In partnership with our external lobbyist, represents ABH at the State House, building and sustaining relationships, drafting and lobbying on legislation, and advancing our legislative agenda before legislative and regulatory bodies as necessary.
Works collaboratively with ABH’s contracted state and federal government relations consulting firms to advance ABH’s policy agenda.
Serves as staff lead to and partner with advocacy partners and coalitions.
Works in collaboration with national provider association public policy staffs to further the interests of ABH members at the federal level.
Staffs and oversees portfolio of member-based operational and/or policy committees.
Overall position responsibilities include content development, policy advocacy, and legislative tracking expertise.
Responsibilities developing subject matter expertise within portfolio, representing the organization in advocacy coalitions, producing legislative materials, overseeing budget analysis, managing committee logistics, and delivering informative presentations for a prominent association. The role involves close collaboration with committee chairs, subcommittees, and stakeholders to advance key legislative priorities.
Provides related member services and serves as a resource to members and staff on current issues and developments in the behavioral healthcare policy arena.
Other duties as assigned.
This is an excellent opportunity for an early career professional with strong early growth potential for successful candidates. ABH is committed to attracting top-tier talent, and we are open to reevaluating the position’s classification to align with the qualifications and experience of exceptional candidates.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree plus at least two years of directly related experience in a nonprofit or governmental environment.
Experience in roles within a legislative, regulatory, and/or governmental agency is required.
Demonstrated expertise in state legislative process, including state budget process.
Exceptional written/oral communication skills, strong research skills, and the ability to develop compelling arguments based on information available.
A self-starter with the ability to work independently; but also operate as an integral part of a strong team of professionals.
Computer literacy and working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
Valid driver’s license and access to motor vehicle. Extensive in-state travel required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Previous work as Massachusetts legislative staff strongly preferred.
In-depth familiarity with mental health and addiction aspects of health and human service policy and associated federal and state programs is preferred but not essential.
Who Should Apply:
We believe that a diverse team makes a strong team. ABH encourages people from all backgrounds to apply.
Candidates who are flexible, team-oriented, and highly responsive to internal and external constituents are best suited to the ABH environment.
The ideal candidate for this position believes that:
Access to high-quality mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery services is essential to healthy individuals, families and communities.
The Commonwealth and the nation can do more to improve access to behavioral health services.
Short- and long-term policy and operational successes are important and should be celebrated.
Provider associations and their members bring strength to policy advocacy.
Delivering prompt and informed services to member organizations is essential to strong association and strong advocacy.
Position Type:
This is a full-time position. Hybrid work is optional, with regular required office attendance of two days per week in the Framingham office.
ABH Offers:
A great environment with smart and passionate individuals working as a team.
Medical and Dental Insurance
Long- and Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance
Contributory 401(k)
12 Paid Holidays
Employer’s Rights
ABH reserves the right to revise, change or reclassify this job description at any time in accordance with ABH’s business needs. This job description is not an implied contract.
Job type: Full Time
Fully remote: Hybrid
Salary range: 72,000-82,000
Location: FRAMINGHAM Massachusetts