Director, State Government Affairs (Sacramento, California based)

Bristol Myers Squibb • Sacramento, CA

2d • $206,210 - $249,878 • Remote

About The Position

The Director, State Government Affairs - California shapes state health care policy to support patient access, affordability and innovation while advancing Bristol Myers Squibb’s enterprise, commercial and USPGA priorities. The Director serves as BMS’s primary representative to the California Legislature, Governor’s Office, state agencies and relevant third-party organizations, and also has responsibility for Hawaii. Reporting to the West Regional Lead, the role establishes state legislative and policy objectives in coordination with USPGA leadership and key corporate functions.

The position develops and executes government affairs and advocacy 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. It requires California political and policy acumen, disciplined execution, cross-functional collaboration, executive presence, and the ability to translate complex issues into clear strategies and messages for 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, supported by established relationships with California policymakers, administration officials, health care stakeholders, trade associations, coalitions or other relevant external partners.
• A successful record of 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 strategic counsel to senior leaders.
• Strong political acumen and executive presence, with the ability to balance long-term relationship development and decisive action on immediate legislative, regulatory and business 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 and to travel as required.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for legislative activity, stakeholder engagements and other time-sensitive business priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Hawaii.
• 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 key 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, and the Department of Health Care Services and Department of Managed Health Care.
• Position BMS as a credible resource for California policymakers by translating complex policy topics into clear messages and solutions.
• 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 opportunities for BMS executive engagement with California policymakers, administration officials, business leaders, patient advocates and other 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 relevant cross-functional experts.
• Manage external consultants and contract lobbyists, including objectives, 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 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, sustainable policy change.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit plans, including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance offerings, subject to plan terms and eligibility.
• Eligible U.S.-based exempt employees receive Flexible Time Off with no set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, and 11 paid company holidays each year.
• Depending on eligibility, additional time-off benefits may include 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.
• Full-time employees may be eligible for discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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