Director, Government and External Affairs

Ro is a direct-to-patient healthcare company with a mission of helping patients achieve their health goals by delivering the easiest, most effective care possible. Ro is the only company to offer nationwide telehealth, labs, and pharmacy services. This is enabled by Ro's vertically integrated platform that helps patients achieve their goals through a convenient, end-to-end healthcare experience spanning from diagnosis, to delivery of medication, to ongoing care. Since 2017, Ro has helped millions of patients in nearly every single county in the United States, including 98% of primary care deserts.

The healthcare system today is not designed to help patients achieve their goals. It’s designed around institutions such as hospitals and insurance companies. A patient centric healthcare system is one that is designed around the goals a patient wants to achieve. We’re building healthcare that puts patients in control, provides reactive and proactive care, has transparent pricing and process, is extremely effective and ridiculously convenient, and evolves over time based on patients’ goals.

Ro has been recognized as a Fortune Best Workplace in New York and Health Care for four consecutive years (2021-2024). In 2023, Ro was also named Best Workplace for Parents for the third year in a row. In 2022, Ro was listed as a CNBC Disruptor 50.

Ro is seeking a Director of Government Affairs to develop and execute advocacy strategies (federal and state) aligned around Ro’s key policy and business goals.

The role of Director, Government Affairs involves direct engagement with federal and state government officials and staff, as well as key KOLs, 3rd parties and advocacy groups, on a variety of issue areas central to Ro. Ideal candidates will have proven ability in communicating and advocating complex issues, including demonstrated successful experience working closely with policymakers, staff, and stakeholders to advance policy objectives.

This position will report to the SVP of Communications and coordinate with Ro’s legal, public policy and corporate communications teams. The Director will also be responsible for managing outside lobbyists and government affairs consultants.

What You’ll Do:

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to set strategy and drive favorable policy outcomes for Ro through direct engagement and advocacy campaigns, including lobbying to relevant government officials and agencies.
• Lead efforts to authentically build the Ro brand among stakeholders in Washington, DC, and key states where the company operates.
• Work with the broader team on engagement activity for key legislative activity, including bill analysis and tracking; attending hearings, briefings and mark ups; and general legislative monitoring.
• Develop a deep understanding of business priorities to help inform our policy agenda at the federal level, ensure executives and other internal partners are well-informed of developments that may affect our business, and elicit feedback to influence decision making. 
• Identify and engage thought leaders and KOLs to develop support for Ro’s policy priorities and key messages, including relevant third-party research, white papers, and opinion pieces.
• Identify and partner with industry associations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to build coalitions and alliances that amplify our advocacy efforts.
• Attend industry and policy-related events to gather perspectives, network and represent Ro’s perspective.
• Manage and approve the budget across lobbyists, third-party memberships and engagements, and consultants.
• Draft analyses, comment letters, talking points, and advocacy materials on proposed state and federal legislation and regulation for use by internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee rapid-response efforts as necessary.
• Prepare senior executives for public appearances related to public policy.

What You’ll Bring to the Team:

• 10+ years of experience in government, corporate government relations, and/or associations
• Healthcare trade association and/or political/Capitol Hill experience is a plus
• Experience advocating on behalf of the private sector to policymakers
• Comprehensive understanding of federal legislative and regulatory process
• The ability to manage external lobbying firms and industry coalitions
• The ability to work collaboratively with key internal stakeholders, include corporate communications and policy teams
• Experience in providing counsel to senior executives or public-facing officials
• Well-developed strategy and planning skills and experience leading issue advocacy campaigns
• Superior judgment, with ethics of the highest caliber
• Strong writing skills with ability to gather relevant information and communicate effectively internally and externally
• Confidence to take initiative and tackle tough problems
• Comfort with evolving circumstances and a dynamic political landscape

We’ve Got You Covered:

• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance + OneMedical membership
• Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA
• 401(k) with company match
• Flexible PTO
• Wellbeing + Learning & Growth reimbursements
• Paid parental leave + Fertility benefits
• Pet insurance
• Student loan refinancing
• Virtual resources for mindfulness, counseling, and fitness

We welcome qualified candidates of all races, creeds, genders, and sexuality to apply.

The target base salary for this position ranges from $184,000 to $216,500, in addition to a competitive equity and benefits package (as applicable). When determining compensation, we analyze and carefully consider several factors, including location, job-related knowledge, skills and experience. These considerations may cause your compensation to vary.

Ro recognizes the power of in-person collaboration, while supporting the flexibility to work anywhere in the United States. For our Ro’ers in the tri-state (NY) area, you will join us at HQ on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For those outside of the tri-state area, you will be able to join in-person collaborations throughout the year (i.e., during team on-sites).

At Ro, we believe that our diverse perspectives are our biggest strengths — and that embracing them will create real change in healthcare. As an equal opportunity employer, we provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, training and promotion, termination, and any other terms and conditions of employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, familial status, age, disability and/or any other legally protected classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

See our California Privacy Policy here.