State Government Affairs Director - Field Based (TX, TN, AR, LA, OK)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
August 06, 2026
On-site
Louisiana, United States
Market Access
General Summary:
State Government Affairs Director supports the company’s state government affairs strategy across marketing, communications, policy, and medical affairs within the designated region. Leads grassroots campaigns execution across disease areas. Field-based; incumbent resides in TX, TN, AR, LA, or OK.
Key Duties And Responsibilities:
- Develops, coordinates, and leads state/regional public policy efforts.
- Collaboratively creates and leads home state initiatives.
- Works with communications, policy, medical affairs, and marketing to align state public policy goals with company objectives and patient needs.
- Analyzes and monitors legislation, regulations, and political activity affecting the company.
- Develops and maintains relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Facilitates advocacy coalitions for public policy goals (including rare disease awareness and cystic fibrosis policy).
- Drives health equity awareness campaigns supporting disease awareness in pipeline areas.
- Develops written analyses, testimony, and background materials as needed.
- Leverages and expands community-based partnerships and coalitions.
- Integrates public relations objectives with state/regional public policy strategy; identifies opportunities to increase rare disease and disease burden awareness, especially cystic fibrosis.
- Manages contract lobbyists; ensures compliance with state lobbyist registration, reporting, and political contributions.
- Identifies and pursues additional opportunities to advance business objectives.
- Field travel: 40–50%.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Typically 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge And Skills:
- Ability to build/sustain relationships with legislators, administration, and community leaders.
- Significant knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems.
- Experience driving health equity awareness.
- Strategic planning, communication, and presentation skills.
- Teamwork and ability to interact/influence all levels.
- Detail-oriented; self-initiating; organized; manages multiple projects independently.
- Innovative, out-of-the-box problem solving.
- Strong legal/regulatory understanding and integrity.
State Government Affairs Director supports the company’s state government affairs strategy across marketing, communications, policy, and medical affairs within the designated region. Leads grassroots campaigns execution across disease areas. Field-based; incumbent resides in TX, TN, AR, LA, or OK.
Key Duties And Responsibilities:
- Develops, coordinates, and leads state/regional public policy efforts.
- Collaboratively creates and leads home state initiatives.
- Works with communications, policy, medical affairs, and marketing to align state public policy goals with company objectives and patient needs.
- Analyzes and monitors legislation, regulations, and political activity affecting the company.
- Develops and maintains relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Facilitates advocacy coalitions for public policy goals (including rare disease awareness and cystic fibrosis policy).
- Drives health equity awareness campaigns supporting disease awareness in pipeline areas.
- Develops written analyses, testimony, and background materials as needed.
- Leverages and expands community-based partnerships and coalitions.
- Integrates public relations objectives with state/regional public policy strategy; identifies opportunities to increase rare disease and disease burden awareness, especially cystic fibrosis.
- Manages contract lobbyists; ensures compliance with state lobbyist registration, reporting, and political contributions.
- Identifies and pursues additional opportunities to advance business objectives.
- Field travel: 40–50%.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Typically 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge And Skills:
- Ability to build/sustain relationships with legislators, administration, and community leaders.
- Significant knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems.
- Experience driving health equity awareness.
- Strategic planning, communication, and presentation skills.
- Teamwork and ability to interact/influence all levels.
- Detail-oriented; self-initiating; organized; manages multiple projects independently.
- Innovative, out-of-the-box problem solving.
- Strong legal/regulatory understanding and integrity.