Director, State Government Affairs (Sacramento, California based)

Bristol Myers Squibb • Sacramento, CA

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Director, State Government Affairs - California shapes state health care policy to support patient access, affordability, and innovation while advancing BMS enterprise, commercial, and USPGA priorities. The Director serves as BMS’s primary representative to the California Legislature, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, and relevant third-party organizations, with additional responsibility for Hawaii.

The role develops and executes advocacy and government affairs strategies; builds trusted relationships with policymakers and external stakeholders; assesses legislative, regulatory, access, and payment developments; and positions BMS as a credible resource on policies affecting patients, the innovative biopharmaceutical industry, and BMS operations in California. Reporting to the West Regional Lead, the Director establishes state legislative and policy objectives in coordination with USPGA leadership and corporate functions. The position calls for California political and policy acumen, disciplined execution, cross-functional collaboration, executive presence, and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to internal and external audiences.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in lobbying, advocacy, California state government service, health care policy, the biopharmaceutical industry, or a closely related private-sector or association role.
• Knowledge of California state government, legislative and regulatory processes, health care politics, and Medi-Cal policy.
• Established relationships with California policymakers, administration officials, health care stakeholders, trade associations, coalitions, or other relevant external partners.
• A track record of successful advocacy and developing and executing strategies to influence legislation, regulation, or public policy.
• Broad understanding of challenges affecting the innovative biopharmaceutical industry, including patient access, affordability, reimbursement, and the operating environment for life sciences companies.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex technical and policy information and provide practical strategic counsel to senior leaders.
• Strong political acumen and executive presence, and ability to balance long-term relationship development with decisive action on immediate priorities.
• Ability to collaborate across functions, build consensus, and maintain effective internal and external relationships, including leading through influence with trade associations, patient and provider organizations, business groups, and large coalitions.
• Excellent organizational, project-management, and prioritization skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets, external consultants, and operational requirements in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues across locations and time zones.
• Ability to travel as required and work occasional evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Hawaii government affairs or policy.
• Advanced degree in law, public policy, public administration, business, health policy, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute California and Hawaii government affairs and advocacy strategies aligned with BMS enterprise, business, and USPGA priorities.
• Influence state legislative, regulatory, access, and payment policy by educating and engaging legislators, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, and other decisionmakers on patient affordability and access.
• Build and sustain policy champions and trusted relationships across California government, including legislative leadership, policy committees, regulatory and legal agencies, the Department of Health Care Services, and the Department of Managed Health Care.
• Translate complex policy topics into clear messages and solutions for California policymakers, positioning BMS as a credible resource.
• Assess the potential impact of California and Hawaii legislation, regulations, ballot initiatives, and administrative actions on patients and the BMS portfolio; recommend and guide lobbying, coalition, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Partner with internal policy, legal, market access, medical, commercial, corporate affairs, communications, alliance development, local government affairs, and site leadership teams to coordinate analysis, decisions, and execution.
• Identify and secure high-value opportunities for BMS executive engagement with policymakers, administration officials, business leaders, patient advocates, and strategic partners.
• Represent BMS in legislative and regulatory proceedings, government meetings, industry forums, trade associations, business organizations, and stakeholder coalitions.
• Provide government affairs support for BMS facilities, investments, workforce, and economic-development interests in California, coordinating with site, local government affairs, and corporate affairs partners.
• Analyze state Medicaid and other access and payment policies, including Medi-Cal legislation, regulations, budget actions, rules, and guidance, with cross-functional experts.
• Manage external consultants and contract lobbyists, setting clear objectives and ensuring effective performance, coordinated execution, and compliance with lobbying, ethics, and campaign-finance requirements.
• Manage assigned budgets, political contributions, and memberships with operational discipline, appropriate controls, and alignment to strategic priorities.
• Demonstrate a patient-first mindset, sound judgment, and strict adherence to BMS values and compliance expectations.
• Contribute to a high-performing USPGA culture grounded in BMS values, enterprise thinking, a patient-first approach, and meaningful and sustainable policy change.
• Travel as required and work occasional evenings and weekends to support legislative activity, stakeholder engagements, and other time-sensitive priorities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits, including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance offerings, subject to plan terms and eligibility.
• Flexible Time Off for eligible U.S.-based exempt employees, subject to manager approval.
• 11 paid company holidays each year.
• Depending on eligibility, paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer-hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs.
• Eligible employees may receive an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• Eligible employees may be eligible for discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director