Director, State Government Affairs
AbbVie
August 31, 2026
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
Corporate Functions
Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute lobbying and advocacy strategies to shape Illinois state legislative and regulatory environments supporting AbbVie business and policy objectives.
- Represent AbbVie’s Illinois headquarters; lead relationships and engagement with state/local government, economic development, and community stakeholders.
- Set lobbying/advocacy strategy, assess state policy environment, recommend actions, proactively evaluate legislation/regulations, and manage internal expectations.
- Cultivate relationships with state policymakers and regulators (Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Attorneys General, state legislatures, local officials) and external stakeholders.
- Partner on U.S. site selection initiatives by evaluating site opportunities and positioning AbbVie with state/local economic development officials.
- Collaborate with the U.S. Strategic Alliances Director to execute policy advocacy strategies across state capitals.
- Serve as a strategic partner to cross-functional internal stakeholders (Federal Government Affairs, U.S. Policy & Analytics, Commercial, Legal, Market Access, Corporate Affairs, regional/district managers) to create tailored legislative/regulatory/policy solutions.
- Represent AbbVie at state events; lead/participate in trade association task forces and coalitions; develop engagement plans for national groups; coordinate with Federal Government Affairs on state/national intersections.
- Hire/manage outside consultants; set objectives and ensure execution.
- Develop and oversee the regional state government affairs budget.
- Ensure rigorous compliance with state lobbying and campaign finance registration requirements.
Qualifications:
- 8–10 years in lobbying, public administration, political party activity, legislative staff work, or related field; healthcare or other highly regulated industry preferred.
- Strong executive presence; ability to influence and navigate the political landscape.
- Deep knowledge of major state health programs (including Medicaid) and state finance/appropriations; understanding of private healthcare dynamics (insurance, drug benefit plans, payers such as PBMs, pharmacies, employers, consumers).
- Ability to create comprehensive government affairs strategies using lobbying, association engagement, third-party advocacy, media, etc.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, interpersonal, writing/presentation, organization, and deadline management skills.
- Expertise developing internal PowerPoint presentations.
- Bachelor’s degree (health care administration, political science, public administration, or policy); advance degree preferred.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Domestic travel ~40% required.
- Develop and execute lobbying and advocacy strategies to shape Illinois state legislative and regulatory environments supporting AbbVie business and policy objectives.
- Represent AbbVie’s Illinois headquarters; lead relationships and engagement with state/local government, economic development, and community stakeholders.
- Set lobbying/advocacy strategy, assess state policy environment, recommend actions, proactively evaluate legislation/regulations, and manage internal expectations.
- Cultivate relationships with state policymakers and regulators (Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Attorneys General, state legislatures, local officials) and external stakeholders.
- Partner on U.S. site selection initiatives by evaluating site opportunities and positioning AbbVie with state/local economic development officials.
- Collaborate with the U.S. Strategic Alliances Director to execute policy advocacy strategies across state capitals.
- Serve as a strategic partner to cross-functional internal stakeholders (Federal Government Affairs, U.S. Policy & Analytics, Commercial, Legal, Market Access, Corporate Affairs, regional/district managers) to create tailored legislative/regulatory/policy solutions.
- Represent AbbVie at state events; lead/participate in trade association task forces and coalitions; develop engagement plans for national groups; coordinate with Federal Government Affairs on state/national intersections.
- Hire/manage outside consultants; set objectives and ensure execution.
- Develop and oversee the regional state government affairs budget.
- Ensure rigorous compliance with state lobbying and campaign finance registration requirements.
Qualifications:
- 8–10 years in lobbying, public administration, political party activity, legislative staff work, or related field; healthcare or other highly regulated industry preferred.
- Strong executive presence; ability to influence and navigate the political landscape.
- Deep knowledge of major state health programs (including Medicaid) and state finance/appropriations; understanding of private healthcare dynamics (insurance, drug benefit plans, payers such as PBMs, pharmacies, employers, consumers).
- Ability to create comprehensive government affairs strategies using lobbying, association engagement, third-party advocacy, media, etc.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, interpersonal, writing/presentation, organization, and deadline management skills.
- Expertise developing internal PowerPoint presentations.
- Bachelor’s degree (health care administration, political science, public administration, or policy); advance degree preferred.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Domestic travel ~40% required.