State Government Affairs Director - Field Based (TX, TN, AR, LA, OK)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
August 06, 2026
On-site
Oklahoma, United States
Other
General Summary:
- The State Government Affairs Director supports the company’s state government affairs strategy across marketing, communications, policy, and medical affairs within their designated region. Leads grassroots campaigns execution across disease areas. Field-based; incumbent resides in TX, TN, AR, LA, OK.
Key Duties And Responsibilities:
- Develop, coordinate, and lead state/regional public policy efforts.
- Create and lead home state initiatives.
- Partner with communications, policy, medical affairs, and marketing to align state public policy goals with company objectives and patient needs.
- Analyze and monitor legislation, regulations, and political activity impacting the company.
- Build relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Facilitate advocacy coalitions for public policy goals, including rare disease awareness and cystic fibrosis.
- Drive health equity awareness campaigns for disease awareness in pipeline areas.
- Develop written analyses, testimony, and background materials as needed.
- Leverage relationships and build partnerships with community-based organizations and coalitions.
- Integrate public relations objectives with state/regional public policy strategy and identify opportunities to increase rare disease and disease-burden awareness.
- Manage contract lobbyists and ensure compliance with state lobbyist registration, reporting, and political contribution requirements.
- Identify and pursue additional opportunities to advance business objectives.
- Field travel required 40–50%.
Knowledge And Skills:
- Ability to build/sustain relationships with legislators, administration, and government/community leaders.
- 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 business levels.
- Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized; manage multiple projects independently.
- Innovative problem-solving.
- Strong understanding of legal/regulatory environment and integrity.
Education And Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Typically 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- The State Government Affairs Director supports the company’s state government affairs strategy across marketing, communications, policy, and medical affairs within their designated region. Leads grassroots campaigns execution across disease areas. Field-based; incumbent resides in TX, TN, AR, LA, OK.
Key Duties And Responsibilities:
- Develop, coordinate, and lead state/regional public policy efforts.
- Create and lead home state initiatives.
- Partner with communications, policy, medical affairs, and marketing to align state public policy goals with company objectives and patient needs.
- Analyze and monitor legislation, regulations, and political activity impacting the company.
- Build relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Facilitate advocacy coalitions for public policy goals, including rare disease awareness and cystic fibrosis.
- Drive health equity awareness campaigns for disease awareness in pipeline areas.
- Develop written analyses, testimony, and background materials as needed.
- Leverage relationships and build partnerships with community-based organizations and coalitions.
- Integrate public relations objectives with state/regional public policy strategy and identify opportunities to increase rare disease and disease-burden awareness.
- Manage contract lobbyists and ensure compliance with state lobbyist registration, reporting, and political contribution requirements.
- Identify and pursue additional opportunities to advance business objectives.
- Field travel required 40–50%.
Knowledge And Skills:
- Ability to build/sustain relationships with legislators, administration, and government/community leaders.
- 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 business levels.
- Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized; manage multiple projects independently.
- Innovative problem-solving.
- Strong understanding of legal/regulatory environment and integrity.
Education And Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Typically 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.