Associate Vice President, Public Affairs & Advocacy – Jarrard, Inc.

About Jarrard, Inc.

Jarrard Inc. is a specialized healthcare consulting firm devoted to helping leaders during consequential moments of change, challenge and opportunity. We use the power of communications, marketing and political strategy to help our clients achieve their most important goals. The firm has worked with more than 1,000 clients in 46 states and specializes in change management, issues & advocacy and strategic positioning. 

Jarrard joined Chartis, a comprehensive advisory firm dedicated to the healthcare industry, in 2020. With an unparalleled depth of expertise in strategic planning, operations and performance excellence, informatics and technology, and health analytics, Chartis helps leading academic medical centers, integrated delivery networks, children’s hospitals, physician enterprises and healthcare service organizations achieve transformative results. 

Across both Jarrard and Chartis, we are lucky to have extraordinarily talented people working in our firm – all brought together around our unifying mission “to improve healthcare delivery,” a shared dedication to our core values, and the emphasis we place on creating an environment that enriches the experiences of our clients, our colleagues and our communities. 

Jarrard has offices in Nashville, TN and Chicago, IL. Remote work is allowed.  

Role Overview

The Health Systems Practice is seeking an Associate Vice President (AVP) to help lead key client projects with the nation’s most prominent healthcare brands. The work requires a strong communications foundation, excellent writing skills and demonstrated project management experience.  Particular areas of expertise we are currently seeking include any combination of political campaigns, public affairs, policy, crisis communications and payer.   

The AVP is a strong lead for clients within the practice – therefore, strategic client-management experience in guiding and advising senior client leaders is needed.  Internally, AVPs supervise junior team members for their development and ensuring quality work. 

Responsibilities

Client Service 

• Confidently lead clients – either on own or in conjunction with Practice Lead, and help identify and realize full potential (meeting program objectives, delivering on time/quality work within budget)
• Establish the strategic communications and engagement efforts, and work with the team to finalize client deliverables
• Establish relationships built on trust with senior-level clients in order to further the agency’s standing and reputation within the client
• Develop key client strategies and plans, while contributing to the budget development, working with practice leadership
• Identify opportunities to grow existing clients by serving as a trusted advisor and a strategic resource for clients – listen for opportunities and utilize resources within agency to capitalize on such opportunities
• Consult with and/or involve practice leadership on client issues as needed
• Assist in overseeing strategies and programs for clients managed by the people who report to you
• Be aware of team utilization and capacity opportunities by engaging with your direct reports and communicating with supervisors

Internal Client Team Management  

• Identify opportunities for continuous quality improvement within the team
• Daily team advising and supervision
• Monthly/weekly staff planning/tracking including timely communications to internal leaders

Business Development  

• Participate in and play a significant role in, new business pitches including pitch strategy and proposal development
• Identify new opportunities with existing clients for the firm to contribute additional value for a client, and work with practice leadership to bring those opportunities to fruition
• Look for ways to leverage networks for visibility of the firm and its service offerings
• Ensure clients are aware of our full set of high-value services where appropriate, for new opportunities for growth
• Participate in and contribute ideas for firm thought leadership activities

Firm Management  

• Model and teach best practices in key client management
• Actively participate in appropriate firm management meetings and/or discussions
• Accomplish billable goals and help ensure your direct reports do as well
• Contribute ideas for Jarrard Academy based on growth and development needs of your team

People Development 

• Demonstrate and nurture Jarrard Vision, Mission and Values
• Mentor the colleagues who report to you, guide career development using our talent development platform as the foundation
• Ensure teams are adept at all firm high-value services
• Actively help agency recruit and retain the best people
• Participate in Jarrard Academy and encourage the participation of people who report to you

Qualifications and Desired Skills

Qualifications for this position: 

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s a plus)
• Proven expertise in working within the healthcare space required, public affairs, policy and/or crisis communications, payer
• 8-10 years’ experience in a preferred combination of a Communications role, public affairs, political campaign, professional services firm (healthcare focus is preferred), and/or journalism.
• Ability to work remotely, office options in Chicago, IL and Nashville 

What you can expect from us: 

• High-stakes work that makes healthcare better
• An inclusive and collegial workplace with understanding, innovative co-workers who care as much as you do about getting the work right
• Encouragement to ask probing questions and openness to new ideas
• Creative problem solving alongside clients who see you as a partner, not a vendor

• Investment in your growth and development via our competency-based talent development platform

• Competitive pay and benefits

Salary range: $125,000-145,000, plus may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The salary range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skills, experience, training, licensure and certifications, practice area, and other business and organizational needs. In addition, Chartis offers several benefits including medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, disability insurance, life insurance, 401(k) match, paid time off, wellness stipend, and additional voluntary benefits.LI-Remote 

At Chartis, we pride ourselves on having a diverse workforce. We value and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals and the different perspectives the provide. We offer equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, marital status, or protected veteran status.