State Government Affairs Director - Field Based (TX, TN, AR, LA, OK)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
August 06, 2026
Remote friendly (Texas, United States)
United States
Market Access
General Summary:
The State Government Affairs Director supports the company’s state government affairs strategy across marketing, communications, policy, and medical affairs in a designated region. Leads grassroots campaigns across disease areas. Field-based; incumbent resides in TX, TN, AR, LA, or 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 policy goals with company objectives and patient needs.
- Analyze and monitor legislation, regulations, and political activity impacting the company.
- Build and maintain relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Facilitate advocacy coalitions (e.g., rare disease awareness, cystic fibrosis policy).
- Drive health equity awareness campaigns for pipeline disease areas.
- Develop written analyses, testimony, and background materials as needed.
- Leverage and expand partnerships with community organizations and coalitions.
- Integrate public relations objectives with state/regional public policy strategy; identify opportunities to increase rare disease and disease-burden awareness (especially cystic fibrosis and pipeline areas).
- Manage contract lobbyists and oversee compliance for lobbyist registration, reporting, and political contributions.
- Identify and pursue additional opportunities to advance business objectives.
- Field travel: 40–50%.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Ability to build and sustain relationships with legislature/administration and community leaders.
- Knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems.
- Experience driving health equity awareness.
- Strategic planning, communication, and presentation skills.
- Teamwork and ability to 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 in a designated region. Leads grassroots campaigns across disease areas. Field-based; incumbent resides in TX, TN, AR, LA, or 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 policy goals with company objectives and patient needs.
- Analyze and monitor legislation, regulations, and political activity impacting the company.
- Build and maintain relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Facilitate advocacy coalitions (e.g., rare disease awareness, cystic fibrosis policy).
- Drive health equity awareness campaigns for pipeline disease areas.
- Develop written analyses, testimony, and background materials as needed.
- Leverage and expand partnerships with community organizations and coalitions.
- Integrate public relations objectives with state/regional public policy strategy; identify opportunities to increase rare disease and disease-burden awareness (especially cystic fibrosis and pipeline areas).
- Manage contract lobbyists and oversee compliance for lobbyist registration, reporting, and political contributions.
- Identify and pursue additional opportunities to advance business objectives.
- Field travel: 40–50%.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Ability to build and sustain relationships with legislature/administration and community leaders.
- Knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems.
- Experience driving health equity awareness.
- Strategic planning, communication, and presentation skills.
- Teamwork and ability to 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.