Smith, Bucklin & Associates has played a unique role in Washington's public policy arena since the early 1970s when the firm first set up offices in our Nation's capital.

Located in downtown Washington, D.C., Smith, Bucklin has built one of the most competent, cost-effective, and well-rounded government relations divisions. The staff includes senior lobbyists, middle managers, and field experienced administrative support staff that collectively have worked with almost every House and Senate committee, specifically those with jurisdiction over national health care policies, as well as a variety of Federal regulatory agencies. Smith, Bucklin's team of health care policy experts can move quickly, and with no problems be talking with Members of Congress and senior Administration officials in the areas of health care reimbursement (both private and public), funding for medical research and technology, the supply of health care professionals, the training of physicians, and access to health care in managed care systems, just to name a few. This team of seasoned professionals has worked directly in and with the health care community, on Capitol Hill, and in the Administration.

Smith, Bucklin's annual revenue, which includes association management, contract services, and other issue management services, is $70 million. The firm recently re-capitalized in partnership with William Blair Capital Partners, a Chicago based investment banking company.

This position was created because of the rapid growth of Smith Bucklin's Government Relations Health Care Practice. Health Care revenue, $725,000, is over 50% of the Firm's Government Relation's practice, and expanding.

Smith, Bucklin is the largest association management company in the world. It has a proven track record in association management, government relations, marketing and communications, and convention and trade show management. The Health Care Group has an established "expertise" in the field. Those who produce are recognized and rewarded.

This is an opportunity for the new director to build a business off an existing client list and staff in place, and expand Smith, Bucklin's Government Relations Health Care Practice.

Smith, Bucklin directors and senior officers describe the environment as "collegial," with a large young staff eager to pitch in to get the job done.

There is an existing Government Relations market with Smith, Bucklin's internal clients.

This is an opportunity to work in an environment that is constantly changing, due to national health care policy issues, and the relationship with William Blair Capital Partners, which is providing leadership and financial resources to grow the business and offer new services to existing clients. In addition, William Blair anticipates taking Smith, Bucklin public in three to five years. Within that plan, the five year revenue goal for Government Relations is $3-5million. Business expansion will be through internal growth and acquisitions.

The new director has an opportunity to develop his/her own strategic plan for future growth and development of the practice.

There is a need to manage and grow the staff.

Basic Function:
To build and maintain a government affairs practice that focuses on the specific needs of health care organizations.

• Represent clients on a variety of health care issues including physician reimbursement, appropriations for medical research and graduate medical education, and access to specialty care.
• Develop new business for the Health Care Practice Group.
• Develop all levels of strategic plans for public policy/government affairs programs.
• Conduct coalition activities on behalf of clients.
• Plan and implement grassroots structures for all levels and types of clients.
• Provide representation of clients to Congress and the Administration.
• Manage all client related tasks.
• Manage and review performance of all staff and provide for their professional growth.
• Direct marketing activities for the Health Care Practice Group.
• Manage finances and budgets for the Health Care Practice Group.
• Attend annual meetings, board meetings, and committee meetings to provide clients with reports and direction.
• Collaborate with others in the Government Affairs Division to further its growth.
• Help with issue management, coalition meetings, staff committees.
• Actively participate in the development, management and growth of Smith, Bucklin.
• Research and create policy position statements.
• Develop regulatory comments.

• A JD or MA/MS.
• A minimum of 10+ years experience in government relations, with the majority related to health-care.
• Excellent analytical, oral and written communications skills. This is a must.
• Strong organizational and strategic planning skills.
• The ability to:
• Analyze, track and favorably impact legislation and regulations,
• Develop new business for the practice,
• Write testimony,
• Develop grass roots networks,
• Support committees, and
• Provide strategic advice with implementation to health care professionals.


• Knowledge about:
• The legislative and regulatory process,
• Medicaid, Medicare, and third party insurance,
• Federal funding for public health service programs,
• Managed Care,
• Graduate Medical Education and Training, and
• Grassroots Campaigns.


• 10 years of association experience in Government Affairs with most, if not all, in Government Affairs related to Health Care.
• The ability to manage time and staff well. The ability to interact with numerous groups of people and to show them the big picture.
• Skills with computers, presentations, etc.
• The ability to plan for staffing - i.e. budgeting for and projecting growth.

The Ideal Person Should Be:

• Able to manage a small staff. There are currently two people reporting to this position. Through revenue growth, it is expected that more staff will be added.
• A "shirt-sleeves" executive, totally flexible, willing to pitch in when needed, not put off by doing his/her own faxing or copying.
• An excellent public speaker. Have a "presence" with clients in a friendly way. Client satisfaction is critical.
• An excellent networker.
• Politically savvy.
• A team player.
• A quick study.
• Results oriented, with a demonstrated track record of producing success on behalf of clients.
• Able to represent more than 2-3 clients at a time. Be able to "juggle."
• Demonstrated success in generating new business.
• Someone who likes to work on a team, but does not need a lot of affirmation.
• Someone who can stand up for themselves in a rapidly changing environment.