Associate Legislative Director – Health

About The Position

The Associate Legislative Director for Health leads the advancement of NACo’s advocacy priorities by designing and executing federal policy strategies for NACo’s work in public health and healthy communities, including disease and injury prevention and health promotion, health disparities reduction, mental and behavioral health services, and financing delivering health care. This role drives NACo’s agenda by developing and implementing legislative and regulatory initiatives, engaging directly with Capitol Hill and the Administration, analyzing policy proposals, and preparing high-impact materials for members and stakeholders.

This position reports for NACo’s Chief Government Affairs Officer.

In addition, the Associate Legislative Director leads committee meetings, educational sessions, and workshops held during NACo conferences, while providing oversight and guidance to legislative assistants or associates.

• Leads the development and execution of comprehensive advocacy and legislative strategies in support of county health priorities, aligning priorities with the American County Platform and NACo’s strategic policy agenda
• Demonstrates a deep understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory landscape, including budget, appropriations, and administrative processes, to shape and influence outcomes on behalf of counties
• Serves as NACo’s chief advocate on issues related to health, driving federal outreach and direct engagement with Congress and federal agencies to advance county priorities and influence legislative and regulatory decisions
• Advises county officials and senior NACo leadership on emerging policy trends, strategic positioning and the implications of federal actions.
• Prepares testimony, comment letters, policy briefs, legislative analysis and other high-impact advocacy materials
• Leads member engagement for the Health Steering Committee, elevating county-led initiatives at the federal level and strengthening intergovernmental partnerships between counties, Congress and the Administration to advance shared priorities.
• Leads the planning, content development and execution of policy briefings, Steering Committee meetings, Capitol Hill events and workshops at NACo conferences and other events throughout the year, ensuring strategic alignment and strong member and stakeholder participation
• Engages in external speaking roles and represents NACo in coalition meetings, convenings and public forums to elevate county perspectives, build partnerships and garner support for NACo’s advocacy priorities
• Supervises, mentors, and develops one to two legislative assistants or associates, ensuring work products reflect strategic alignment, high-quality analysis, and excellent member service
• Collaborates across NACo’s policy teams to integrate advocacy strategies, unify messaging, and identify cross-portfolio opportunities that strengthen NACo’s overall legislative impact
• Other duties as assigned

• An advanced degree with a minimum of three years of professional experience in legislative or regulatory policy and advocacy or a bachelor’s degree with at least five years of such experience
• Substantive experience in the federal health policy landscape
• Strong understanding of the federal legislative process and administrative rule making, including the federal budget and appropriations
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex policy or legal information into clear and accessible content
• Proactive, detail-oriented self-starter with the ability to anticipate needs, manage competing priorities, and communicate clearly and effectively across all levels of an organization
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, bipartisan environment

• Experience working on Capitol Hill, in a federal agency, national member facing association
• Proven ability to build coalitions and engage effectively in government relations or policy advocacy
• Familiarity with county structures, local governance and intergovernmental relations
• Experience developing and managing a program or departmental budget