Associate Director, State Government Affairs

Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc • Cambridge, MA

1d • Remote

About The Position

At Agios, we are fueled by connections to transform rare diseases. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture – one that sparks bold thinking and strengthens our connections with each other and with the rare disease communities we serve. We embrace diverse backgrounds with respect, active listening, and a commitment to inclusion – because our differences shape how we hire, collaborate, and innovate. Our team’s proven track record of executional excellence, combined with our depth of expertise and dedication, enables us to develop innovative medicines that reflect the priorities of rare disease communities. Our commitment is more than scientific – it’s deeply personal, grounded in the meaningful connections we have built. Agios Pharmaceuticals is searching for a dynamic Associate Director, State Government Affairs to join our growing U.S. Government Affairs and Policy team. The Associate Director will be responsible for leading Agios’s government affairs and public policy priorities in select states. The Associate Director will lead Agios’s engagement on policies to support sickle cell disease and rare disease as well as other policy priorities, including Medicaid and drug pricing. The role will also collaborate with patient advocacy organizations, trade associations (such as BIO) and other stakeholders on policy issues.

Requirements

• BS or BA degree
• 7+years of prior experience in government, government affairs, or policy role
• Deep experience with state health policy and lobbying
• Strong analytic and research skills
• Comprehensive understanding of legislation, regulation, and public policy impacting the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, as well as significant experience engaging in the health care policymaking process
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities, including experience with the use of PowerPoint and related tools to make effective presentations
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and work as part of a cross-functional team advocating on complex health policy issues
• Strong desire and willingness to work on diverse issues and initiatives, with a track record of adaptability and flexibility
• Corporate experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry

Nice To Haves

• MA/MPA/JD preferred

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive strategy in priority states in alignment with enterprise and commercial objectives
• Lead advocacy campaigns to advance policy priorities
• Support public policy analysis efforts through issue identification, research, analysis, assessment and communication
• Work cross-functionally to identify and develop appropriate position statements and engagement strategies for issues of concern to the company and the patients we serve
• Build and maintain strong relationships with state lawmakers and regulators
• Serve as a liaison with trade associations, coalitions and partnerships that represent the biopharmaceutical industry and advocate for policies that seek to protect patients' access to innovative medicines. Participate in committees, work groups and related activities to advocate for company priorities
• Prioritize compliance with state requirements around lobbying, political giving and disclosure

Benefits

• Deliberate Development. Your professional growth as one of our top priorities.
• Flexibility. We’re all about individual needs. We embrace different perspectives, work styles, health and wellness approaches, care of families and productivity. When you’re at your best, we’re at our best.
• Premium benefits package. We invest in the health, well-being and security of our people with a premium benefits package that is well-rounded and flexible to help meet the varied personal and professional needs of every member of our team.
• Competitive and equitable performance-based compensation. This includes base salary and both short- and long-term incentives that are connected to our business strategy and vary based on individual and company performance.
• Psychological safety. We support an environment of fearlessness. We want you to share your ideas, speak candidly and take data-informed risks to help push the boundaries.
• Commitment to diversity. We strive to foster a welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We’re continuously looking to improve the inclusivity of our workforce.
• Commitment to community. We’re an active participant in the communities that surround us – the communities where we live, and the community of people and their loved ones in need of better treatment options for conditions that are often overlooked.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees