State Government Affairs Director- field-based CA, AZ, NV, HI, AK
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
4 days ago
On-site
Arizona, United States
Corporate Functions
Director State Government Affairs will be responsible for developing and implementing the company’s state/regional government affairs and public policy strategy. Field-based; incumbent resides in CA, AZ, NV, HI, AK (California preferred). Field travel required 40–50%.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, coordinate, and lead state/regional public policy efforts.
- Collaborate with communications, patient advocacy, policy, medical affairs, and marketing to align state public policy goals to company objectives and patient needs.
- Analyze and monitor legislation, regulations, and political activity impacting the company.
- Drive strategy and create action plans to impact policy change.
- Build and maintain relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Facilitate advocacy coalitions for public policy goals, including rare disease awareness and policy issues across commercial and pipeline disease areas.
- Lead complex cross-functional initiatives.
- Develop written analyses, testimony, and background materials supporting company objectives.
- Leverage relationships and form partnerships with community-based organizations and coalitions.
- Integrate public relations objectives with state/regional public policy strategy to increase rare disease and disease-burden awareness, especially for commercial and pipeline areas.
- Manage contract lobbyists; ensure compliance with state lobbyist registration, reporting, and political contribution requirements.
- Identify and pursue additional opportunities to advance business objectives.
- Perform other duties/projects as assigned; exemplify core values.
Minimum Qualifications
- 7–10 years in state government affairs/state government or major trade association with significant direct lobbying experience.
- Proven ability to build relationships with legislative/administration and community leaders.
- Knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems.
- Outstanding strategic planning, communication, and presentation skills.
- Bachelor’s required (advanced degree preferred) in science, law, government, or public policy.
- Pharmaceutical/healthcare experience strongly preferred.
- High energy and passion for patients, science, and public health.
- Teamwork/collaboration and ability to influence at all business levels.
- Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized; able to manage multiple projects independently.
- Ability to think innovatively and develop creative solutions.
- Strong legal/regulatory understanding and integrity.
- Desire to work in a highly innovative corporate culture focused on redefining health with new medicines.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, coordinate, and lead state/regional public policy efforts.
- Collaborate with communications, patient advocacy, policy, medical affairs, and marketing to align state public policy goals to company objectives and patient needs.
- Analyze and monitor legislation, regulations, and political activity impacting the company.
- Drive strategy and create action plans to impact policy change.
- Build and maintain relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Facilitate advocacy coalitions for public policy goals, including rare disease awareness and policy issues across commercial and pipeline disease areas.
- Lead complex cross-functional initiatives.
- Develop written analyses, testimony, and background materials supporting company objectives.
- Leverage relationships and form partnerships with community-based organizations and coalitions.
- Integrate public relations objectives with state/regional public policy strategy to increase rare disease and disease-burden awareness, especially for commercial and pipeline areas.
- Manage contract lobbyists; ensure compliance with state lobbyist registration, reporting, and political contribution requirements.
- Identify and pursue additional opportunities to advance business objectives.
- Perform other duties/projects as assigned; exemplify core values.
Minimum Qualifications
- 7–10 years in state government affairs/state government or major trade association with significant direct lobbying experience.
- Proven ability to build relationships with legislative/administration and community leaders.
- Knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems.
- Outstanding strategic planning, communication, and presentation skills.
- Bachelor’s required (advanced degree preferred) in science, law, government, or public policy.
- Pharmaceutical/healthcare experience strongly preferred.
- High energy and passion for patients, science, and public health.
- Teamwork/collaboration and ability to influence at all business levels.
- Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized; able to manage multiple projects independently.
- Ability to think innovatively and develop creative solutions.
- Strong legal/regulatory understanding and integrity.
- Desire to work in a highly innovative corporate culture focused on redefining health with new medicines.