The External Affairs Specialist supports the Central Health System's external affairs initiatives. Reporting to the Government Affairs Manager, this role will collaborate closely with interdepartmental teams including government affairs and communications to develop and implement workflows among internal stakeholders, supporting external affairs, government affairs, and strategic communications strategies. The External Affairs Specialist will organize project and department meetings, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met, and work closely with both internal departments and external stakeholders to achieve organizational strategic priorities.

On-Site only

Essential Functions

• Drive the advancement of external affairs projects and initiatives, while managing relationships with external affairs vendors.
• Facilitate coordination among internal stakeholders as we plan and prepare presentations and briefings for government partners, such as budget presentations, work session presentations, and public meetings.
• Proactively manage project timelines, coordinates meetings (e.g. invitations, agenda development, capturing notes and action items), contribute to collateral and slide deck development, and ensure thorough follow-up to successfully execute actions items including presentations and briefings.
• Support the Government Relations Manager in the coordination of projects between government affairs, board governance, communications, strategy, healthcare delivery, finance, the CEOs office, and other departments in support of external/government affairs and strategic communication strategies.
• Monitor public meetings (e.g., Austin City Council, Travis County Commissioners Court) and media affecting
• Central Health, relaying vital information for business leaders' reference and support using clear communication methods (e.g. memos, emails, Microsoft Teams etc.)
• Attend webinars, conferences, briefings organized by trade associations and key community partners to monitor and increase knowledge of public policy and programs impacting the System.
• Assist with analyzing trends, risks, emerging issues in healthcare delivery, public health, healthcare finance, nonmedical drivers, and other related topics.
• Assist in scenario planning, risk mitigation strategies; support ad hoc research and special projects.
• Proactively anticipate and address future needs within divisional workflows and priorities to optimize efficiency and effectiveness using the LEAN Model Framework for the Government Affairs team.
• Coordinate the production and distribution of Government Affairs e-newsletters and notifications to elected officials and their offices.
• Maintain, update, and manage government affairs and external affairs contacts in Insightly, a customer relations management software.Assist with coordinating events and policy research for the Government Affairs team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree (Higher degree accepted) Political science, public policy, communications, history, economics, liberal arts, finance, business administration and management.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• 3 years in a professional experience in government and/or working with an elected official at the local, state or federal level.