Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs at Vocational Instruction Project Community Services Inc. – Bronx, New York

Position Summary

The Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs is a strategic leadership role designed to strengthen VIP Community Services’ influence, visibility, and partnerships within the Bronx and across New York City and State.

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President and Chief Vocational and Community Affairs Officer, the Director serves as a primary liaison between VIP and government entities, healthcare payers, community boards, and local stakeholders. This individual is responsible for securing discretionary funding, diversifying revenue through private foundations, and advocating for an integrated care model that bridges healthcare, housing, and economic empowerment.

Role Focus and Prioritization

Primary Focus: Government Affairs & Strategic Funding

Discretionary funding (NYC City Council and State sources)

Federal Community Project Funding (CPF)

Private and corporate foundation funding

Secondary Focus: Community & Board Engagement

Community engagement and local stakeholder presence

Organizational visibility and reputation management

Board and advisory group communication

Advisory (Not Lead): Healthcare & Payer Strategy

Support payer relations through strategic positioning

Contribute to clinical and integrated care narrative development

Core Pillars of Responsibility

1. Government Affairs & Advocacy

Legislative Strategy: Develop, execute and manage an annual legislative agenda at the city, state, and federal levels.

Funding Procurement: Lead the end-to-end preparation and submission of NYC City Council Discretionary Funding requests and Federal Community Project Funding applications (e.g., FY27 requests).

Advocacy & Liaison: Maintain active relationships with elected officials (e.g., Federal, local City Council, and State Legislature) to ensure VIP remains a priority for district-specific initiatives.

Policy Analysis: Monitor legislation and budget proposals impacting healthcare, Medicaid, and social services. Collaborate with VIP’s lobbyists to create frequent opportunities for meetings with representatives. Represent VIP on trade association policy committees.

Medicaid & System Reform Representation: Represent VIP in key external forums and policy discussions, such as:

Social Care Networks (SCNs)

Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) implementation initiatives

Medicaid redesign and 1115 waiver-related developments

2. Strategic Funding & Resource Development

Institutional Grant Seeking (RFPs): Proactively identify and respond to government and private RFPs across VIP’s integrated service spectrum.

Foundation Relations: Coordinate the development of a robust pipeline of private family and corporate foundations; manage the full grant cycle from initial outreach to stewardship.

Corporate Partnerships: Cultivate relationships with local corporations and healthcare payers (e.g., Healthfirst, Emblem, Fidelis, and Molina) for sponsorships and mission-aligned projects.

Impact-Driven Requests: Conceptualize “special projects” grounded in data to attract diversified funding.

Funding Infrastructure: Develop and maintain a centralized funding pipeline and tracking system to monitor submission status, awards, and compliance requirements.

3. Healthcare & Clinical Advocacy

Integrated Care Representation: Position VIP as a leader in “whole-person” care, emphasizing the synergy between Primary Care, Behavioral Health, Dental Services, and Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN).

Clinical Expansion Support: Support the organization in identifying funding for clinical expansion, including any new initiatives/programs.

Payer Alignment (Advisory Role): Highlight VIP’s clinical outcomes and community impact to managed care organizations to support improved incentive based financial partnerships.

Value-Based Care Alignment: Support value-based care and alternative payment model positioning through policy and funding alignment.

4. Community Relations & Board Engagement

Community Presence: Represent VIP at Community Board meetings, local precinct councils, and neighborhood coalitions as directed.

Board Communication: Prepare the monthly Board communications regarding legislative wins, community engagement, and fundraising milestones.

Stakeholder Engagement: Support and help coordinate a Fundraising Advisory Board to increase local engagement and support for VIP’s comprehensive programs.

Qualifications

Experience: 5+ years in government relations, community organizing, public affairs, or strategic development, ideally within the NYC non-profit, healthcare, or FQHC sector.

Breadth of Knowledge: Deep understanding of the New York healthcare market, the complexities and related costs of serving high-need populations.

Network: Existing relationships with Bronx-based elected officials and NYC/NYS legislative staff is highly desirable.

Skills:

Proven track record of securing government discretionary and private foundation funding, or equivalent experience within legislative offices overseeing the approval and distribution of public funding.

Exceptional public speaking and persuasive writing skills

Ability to translate clinical and financial data into compelling funding and policy narratives

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Health Administration, Communications, or related field (Master’s preferred).

Core Competencies

Mission-Driven: Commitment to VIP’s integrated model of healthcare, recovery, housing, and economic empowerment

Strategic Thinking: Ability to assess how city, state, and federal policies impact service delivery and funding opportunities

Self-Starter: Ability to build processes, systems, and partnerships from the ground up in a newly established role

External Leadership: Comfortable representing VIP in high-level policy, funding, and community forums