State Government Affairs Director- field-based CA, AZ, NV, HI, AK

Role Summary

State Government Affairs Director- field-based CA, AZ, NV, HI, AK. Field-based role focused on developing and implementing the company’s state/regional government affairs and public policy strategy, collaborating with multiple functional areas to advance public policy goals. Incumbent resides in the region (CA, AZ, NV, HI, AK).

Responsibilities

• Developing, coordinating, and leading the company’s state/regional public policy efforts
• Working collaboratively with communications, patient advocacy, policy, medical affairs, and marketing departments to align state public policy goals with company objectives and patient needs
• Analyzing and monitoring legislation, regulations, and political activity relating to issues that may impact Vertex
• Drive strategy and create plans of action to impact policy change
• Developing and maintaining high-level relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders to achieve Vertex goals
• Collaborating with and facilitating advocacy coalitions for specific public policy goals, including rare disease awareness and Vertex's commercial and pipeline disease area policy issues
• Leading complex cross-functional initiatives with impact across the team
• Developing written analyses, testimony and background materials in support of Vertex objectives
• Leveraging existing relationships and facilitating partnerships with additional community-based organizations and coalitions
• In partnership with cross-functional partners, integrating Vertex’s public relations objectives with the state/regional public policy strategy and identifying opportunities to increase rare disease and disease burden awareness
• Managing contract lobbyists and overseeing compliance with state laws for lobbyist registration, reporting and political contributions
• Identifying and pursuing additional opportunities to advance business objectives
• Fulfilling other duties/projects as assigned
• Exemplifying Vertex’s core values in fulfilling these job duties
• Field travel required 40-50%

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven to ten years current and relevant experience in state government affairs or with a major trade association with significant direct lobbying experience
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with legislators, administration and other government and community leaders
• Significant knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems
• Demonstrated outstanding strategic planning, communication and presentation skills
• Bachelor’s degree required (advanced degree preferred) in science, law, government or public policy
• Pharmaceutical or healthcare sector experience strongly preferred
• A high level of energy and passion toward patients, science and public health
• Proven teamwork and collaboration skills with ability to interact and influence all levels of business
• Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and independently
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions
• Strong understanding of the legal and regulatory environment with integrity
• Desire to work in a corporate culture of a highly innovative company redefining health and transforming lives with new medicines

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required (advanced degree preferred) in science, law, government or public policy