Regional Lead, State Government Affairs (MA, CT, NY, NJ)

Role Summary

The Regional Lead of State Government Affairs sits within the State Government Affairs Team. The role focuses on planning, communicating, advocating, and executing proactive state government affairs goals that advance Novo Nordisk's enterprise strategy as it relates to state legislation and policy, while mitigating actions by local state offices or organizations that could negatively affect the business and patients. The Regional Lead builds relationships with state policymakers and oversees contracted lobbyists and cross-functional teams to advance Novo Nordisk's state strategy and patient access across a region of approximately 4–5 states within a broader region of about 10 states.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages proactive and reactive strategies to mitigate risks and identify opportunities for policy goals of importance to the Company to achieve the success of NNI business goals
• Monitors state policy and business environment for emerging issues that affect NNI products and/or business operations
• In consultation with the Team Lead, identifies and educates internal NNI stakeholders and, as necessary, creates NNI cross-functional working groups to keep all apprised of the status of the issues as they evolve, to assure that advocacy remains informed of current NNI business strategy
• Advocates within assigned states with key government officials, legislative committees and other entities Novo Nordisk’s position on legislative or public policy initiatives of importance to the company and the patients who rely on NNI therapies
• Develops strategic plan for geographic region to provide advance insights into risks and opportunities to which NNI may need to respond and develop political intelligence to enable proactive strategic plans for response
• Tracks state legislation and regulation on NNI’s businesses and coordinates with policy team to understand impacts and NNI’s position
• Coordinates with Alliance Development team on cross-functional projects involving outside organizations
• Ensures that state government officials, state legislative committees, and other relevant parties are educated on Novo Nordisk’s position on public affairs issues of importance to the Company
• Proactively initiates and cultivates relationships with state policymakers and their staffs on behalf of Novo Nordisk
• Participates in cross-functional work teams to stimulate effective collaboration and ensure progress toward Novo Nordisk legislative and regulatory objectives
• Develops strategies and spearheads opportunities to help grow Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee (PAC) and assist in the growth of NNI grassroots activities
• Builds organizational alignment on key issues by informing and educating management and employees about external developments
• Strategically manage state government affairs contract lobbyists and/or consultants
• Assures strict adherence to lobbying disclosure and other ethical requirements applicable to government relations activities within each state in which they engage
• Maintains beneficial relationships with patient, health care professional, and health advocacy groups, key government officials, legislative committees and other entities that define or influence state policy decisions affecting Novo Nordisk or the patients who rely on our therapies, consistent with and in coordination with the Alliance Development team
• Provides input for memos, educational materials, and presentations, as necessary, for senior leadership
• In collaboration with other necessary internal NNI stakeholders, plans and executes events for state and local officials designed to increase awareness of Novo Nordisk and policy issues

Qualifications

• Required: 7+ years of progressive experience in state legislative, government affairs, or lobbying consulting firm experience
• Preferred: Advanced degree
• Preferred: Multi-State Lobbying experience
• Required: Advanced knowledge of state government affairs and public policy, including policy analysis and government relations
• Required: Strong planning, relationship building, cross-functional team and leadership skills
• Required: Demonstrated ability to proactively strategize on how best to advance policy priorities
• Required: Ability to effectively deliver information, and explain, advocate and negotiate positions and issues to a broad spectrum of individuals
• Required: Ability to work under tight deadlines, with little or no supervision
• Required: Demonstrated track record of strong advocacy and communications skills
• Required: Demonstrated analytical skills to understand key components of legislation and policy
• Preferred: Pharmaceutical/healthcare industry experience and knowledge of diabetes, obesity marketplaces
• Preferred: Work with external stakeholder groups or alliance development experience
• Preferred: Experience within the health insurance space
• Required: Proven track record of effective strategic planning, execution and follow up
• Required: Results-focused prior track record
• Required: Strong interpersonal and communications style with ability to convey passion about Novo Nordisk and our public policy goals; ability to generate excitement and enthusiasm among internal and external audiences

Education

• Bachelor's degree

Additional Requirements

• Travel: 20-30% overnight travel required
• Driver must maintain a valid driver’s license
• Must be in good standing by not exceeding the Novo Nordisk points threshold assigned based on review of Motor Vehicle Records