Director, Public Affairs

Hi, we're Oscar. We're hiring a Director, Public Affairs to join our Government Affairs team.

Oscar is the first health insurance company built around a full stack technology platform and a relentless focus on serving our members. We started Oscar in 2012 to create the kind of health insurance company we would want for ourselves—one that behaves like a doctor in the family.

About the role:

The Director of Public Affairs leads the development of Oscar's external campaign and coalitions strategy and serves as an important strategic partner to the Government Affairs (Federal and State) and Public Policy teams. You will manage a third-party vendor responsible for building and operating a new national coalition, you will ensure alignment between coalition activity and Oscar's federal and state policy and advocacy objectives, you will translate complex healthcare and technology policy issues into coordinated advocacy and thought-leadership initiatives among a diverse group of external stakeholders. You will operate with autonomy, setting strategic direction while coordinating cross-functional inputs, managing external partners, and tracking milestones and outcomes.

You will report into the VP, Government Affairs.

Work Location: This position is based in our New York City office, requiring a hybrid work schedule with 3 days of in-office work per week. Thursdays are a required in-office day for team meetings and events, while your other two office days are flexible to suit your schedule.

Pay Transparency: The base pay for this role is: $198,720 - $260,820 per year. You are also eligible for employee benefits, participation in Oscar's unlimited vacation program, company equity grants and annual performance bonuses.

Responsibilities:

• Designs and maintains the strategic framework for Oscar's external coalition; define mission, membership criteria, governance structure, messaging pillars, and policy priorities in alignment with Government Affairs colleagues, communications partners, and key internal business and strategy stakeholders.


• Manages the third-party coalition vendor; set weekly and quarterly agendas, establish performance metrics and milestones, track deliverables, and ensure budget, timelines, and outputs align with Oscar's policy and advocacy goals.


• Partners with the Government Affairs and Public Policy teams to integrate coalition activity into federal and state advocacy strategies; develops background materials, talking points, issue briefs, and external communications to support congressional, regulatory, and stakeholder engagement by the coalition.


• Positions the coalition as the leader on priority federal and state policy issues; coordinate with think tanks, trade associations, and aligned organizations on research, events, and position papers that amplify coalition messaging.


• Analyzes federal and state legislative and regulatory developments impacting coalition priorities; synthesize policy trends to inform strategy deployment, opportunity identification, and risk mitigation for both Oscar and coalition partners.


• Provides subject-matter expertise and strategic counsel to the Government Affairs team; communicate policy analysis in clear, compelling formats for technical and non-technical audiences; manage cross-functional inputs and approvals.


• Utilizes an operational mindset, seamlessly managing internal and external processes and stakeholders as applicable.


• Collaborates daily with Government Affairs (Federal and State) and Public Policy teams to advance coalition and policy goals.


• Ensures all coalition activity complies with applicable lobbying, ethics, and disclosure laws and regulations.


• Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations


• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or 10+ years experience in fast-paced government affairs or stakeholder management environments at the state and/or federal level, with at least 5+ years experience managing a function critical to federal or state campaigns or advocacy.


• 5+ years experience providing strategic counsel to senior policy executives and C-Suite members.

Bonus points:

• Master's or legal degree. Demonstrated knowledge of the healthcare industry, with a focus on commercial payers, the individual market, and/or ICHRA regulations.


• Experience building or managing a national coalition, trade association, or multi-company advocacy initiative.


• Experience running or participating in a public affairs or issue-advocacy campaign.


• Existing relationships with key coalitions, federal legislators, executive branch officials, and national health policy stakeholders.