Director, Corporate & State Government Affairs (NY, NJ, PA)

AstraZeneca

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

AstraZeneca is hiring a regional leader for corporate reputation and state government affairs across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with preference for candidates residing in New York. This field-based position focuses primarily on the region and involves substantial external engagement, travel, and cross-functional influence. The role develops policy and community programs that support patients’ access to medicines, corporate reputation, R&D visibility, early diagnosis, health equity, sustainability, and business priorities. The Director works with commercial, market access, medical, legal, sales, marketing, and corporate affairs colleagues, as well as public officials, patient groups, payers, trade associations, and other allies. The role serves as the region’s registered lobbyist and resident expert on state legislative matters, analyzes emerging legislative and regulatory issues, and develops strategies that support brand and business objectives. It also manages resources, budgets, contract lobbyists, and strategic alliance managers, and coordinates with federal government affairs lobbyists on regional issues. The position requires a bachelor’s degree, 6–8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or a related industry, strong public speaking, negotiation, and advocacy skills, and knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and political processes. Candidates should be comfortable building internal and external alliances in a focused, collaborative team. The role requires up to 40% travel and flexibility for late-night, off-hour, and weekend responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
6–8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or a related industry.
Strong public speaking skills.
Strong negotiation and advocacy skills.
Knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and political processes.
Strong internal stakeholder and alliance-building capabilities.
Willingness to accommodate lobbyists’ travel and schedules, including late-night, off-hour, and weekend responsibilities; up to 40% travel is required.
Field-based role.
Candidates should reside in the New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania region; New York state is preferred.

Nice To Haves

8 or more years of experience in government, politics, or government affairs, including at least 6 years in the biopharmaceutical or a related space.
Experienced interpersonal communication, public speaking, and writing skills.
Demonstrated ability to work on large public affairs projects aimed at enhancing corporate visibility in support of growth and expansion.
Deep knowledge of the healthcare industry, especially public and private payers, supply chains, and state and federal political influence on the pharmaceutical business.
Demonstrated collaborative experience across sales, market access, medical affairs, and corporate affairs functions, with comfort in a highly matrixed organization.
High proficiency in standard business software applications.
Demonstrated experience with ally development, public relations, and healthcare policy.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a regional strategy to enhance corporate reputation, community presence, and visibility of innovative R&D sites; track outcomes through stakeholder engagement and visibility measures.
Lead therapeutic flagship programs involving multiple stakeholders and ensure strong coordination with commercial teams.
Build and implement a regional community engagement strategy that strengthens partnerships and supports local health priorities.
Serve as the region’s registered lobbyist and design and run state-based lobbying campaigns aligned with company priorities.
Integrate state policy considerations with public and private payers to support patient access to AstraZeneca brands.
Identify and lead opportunities to expand early diagnosis in collaboration with public health officials, patient groups, and subject matter experts.
Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, governors, executive agencies, trade associations, think tanks, and third-party allies.
Provide leadership with national political organizations and committees to implement policy programming.
Develop and implement initiatives that advance sustainability and health equity interests.
Participate in Political Action Committee grassroots solicitations and organize and attend fundraisers.
Lead internal workstreams to assess corporate priorities and build positive community ecosystems.
Support corporate reputation and US expansion initiatives through direct community engagement.
Lead on local state-related public policy issues and serve as the resident expert on legislative matters and strategy.
Integrate state-related business objectives across commercial, market access, legal, sales, and marketing teams.
Identify, analyze, and act on legislative and regulatory initiatives and emerging issues affecting the company.
Develop and implement legislative and regulatory strategies that support brand objectives.
Allocate resources and budgets, evaluate consultants, and manage contract lobbyists and strategic alliance managers.
Assist the Director of Political Programs with PAC education and recruitment, including internal speaking engagements.
Coordinate with Corporate Affairs partners to link regional work with corporate brand initiatives.
Coordinate with federal government affairs lobbyists on region-specific issues and use state strategies to mitigate impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal mandates.
Understand company goals and priorities, develop supporting strategies, and act on emerging political issues.