Executive Director, Government Affairs and Trade Association Engagement

Bristol Myers Squibb • Washington DC, DC

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director (ED), Government Affairs & Trade Association Engagement, will serve in a key leadership role on the U.S. Policy & Government Affairs team, coordinating, directing, and advancing BMS’ external industry engagement to position the company as a leader in biopharmaceutical policy. In close collaboration with executive leadership, the ED is accountable for driving policy outcomes at major industry trade associations in alignment with BMS priorities. This role requires strong executive presence and confidence managing up in the highest levels of the company, while navigating a highly complex and dynamic external environment. Importantly, the successful candidate will partner closely with the USPGA executive engagement team to ensure seamless integration of trade association and executive preparedness across the broader global and U.S. organizations. A collaborative, cross-functional mindset will be key to the Executive Director’s success in this critical role, along with the discretion to serve as a trusted advisor to executive leaders. Specifically, the Executive Director will be responsible for positioning BMS c-suite and other leaders to effectively shape short- and long-range policy agendas and influence outcomes across all levels and channels of major industry trade associations. In addition, the successful candidate will own efforts to spearhead policy priority alignment at the functional level within trade associations (e.g., federal, state, etc.), including full decision authority to drive this transformational workstream. To support this work, the Executive Director will lead and set strategy for the team responsible for broadly maximizing BMS’ participation in key industry trade associations. This team of four will champion BMS’ priorities at the work group and committee level within key trades, serving as subject matter experts on critical policy issues, helping shape alliances among association members with mutual interests, and endeavoring to agreement on policy priorities among industry peers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, political science, law, business, or related field preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in government affairs, health policy, trade association leadership, or executive advisory roles.
• Management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience navigating complex governance or external engagement environments.
• Broad and deep knowledge of structure and governance of major U.S. biopharmaceutical trade associations.
• Strong understanding of U.S. and global health policy and its interaction with business strategy.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to synthesize complex information into executive ready insights.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and comfort operating in politically sensitive, high stakes settings.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively across a matrixed organization.
• Detail-oriented with sound judgement.

Responsibilities

• Own staffing and expertise for all levels of BMS engagement in major industry trade associations (PhRMA, BIO, NPC, among others).
• Direct development and execution of executive-level briefings to CEO and ELT members as Board-level representatives in major industry trade associations.
• Serve as trusted advisor to executives and other internal partners.
• Accountable for preparing c-suite executives to drive BMS policy priority outcomes across trade associations.
• Advise/counsel senior leaders on driving policy consensus in preparation for complex debates at trade association board meetings
• Lead team responsible for coordinating work group and committee alignment across levels and channels (focus on federal, state, and international, regulatory, IP and law within the trade associations)
• Author executive level materials that synthesize complex policy, political, and governance dynamics into clear implications and options.
• Ensure trade association activity reinforces corporate priorities and avoids fragmentation or duplication.
• Drive internal alignment ahead of key planning moments, working closely with GPGA, Law, Communications, and other partners.
• Manage continuity from planning through execution, tracking priorities and commitments across trade venues.
• Identify emerging issues, risks, or misalignment and elevate them with appropriate context and recommendations.
• Partner closely with broader USPGA team to ensure functional alignment.

Benefits

• Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
• BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.
• flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees))
• 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays
• unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees