ED, Executive Branch Advocacy

Boehringer Ingelheim•Washington D.C, WA

About The Position

The Executive Director, Head of Executive Branch Advocacy establishes Boehringer Ingelheim’s enterprise strategy for engagement with the U.S. Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including CMS and other relevant HHS agencies and offices. The role shapes enterprise priorities and advocacy strategies related to executive-branch stakeholders, ensuring that efforts support business, policy, patient, and reputation objectives. The incumbent translates enterprise priorities into coordinated advocacy strategies with defined objectives, measurable outcomes, stakeholder engagement plans, relationship strategies, and executive engagement activities. The role leads cross-functional coordination across Corporate Affairs and business functions, working closely with Policy and Federal Government Affairs while respecting partner functions’ expertise, decision rights, and stakeholder relationships. Engagement involving areas such as Regulatory Affairs or Value & Access is developed and executed in partnership with the accountable functions. The position also leads policy advocacy and relationship strategy, advises senior leaders on political, policy, stakeholder, and reputational developments, builds external partnerships and coalitions, and manages assigned colleagues, consultants, budgets, and other resources.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 12 years of progressive experience in government affairs, public policy, public affairs, healthcare policy, executive-branch engagement, or related leadership roles within biopharmaceutical, healthcare, government, or a relevant association or organization.
Demonstrated experience engaging senior Administration, HHS, CMS, and other federal health policy stakeholders.
Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise advocacy and stakeholder strategies with clear objectives and measures.
Demonstrated ability to advise senior executives and translate complex political and policy developments into actionable recommendations.
Strong understanding of the respective roles of Government Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Value & Access, Medical Affairs, Legal, Compliance, the Innovation Unit, and business functions.
Proven ability to lead through influence and drive alignment across a complex matrix while respecting functional ownership and decision rights.
Experience building coalitions and managing trade association, consultant, or third-party relationships.
Exceptional strategic thinking, judgment, executive presence, discretion, negotiation, and written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets, external resources, and sensitive matters with integrity and accountability.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical, if required.
Must be at least 18 years of age.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in public policy, public administration, law, business, healthcare management, public health, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain the enterprise approach to engagement with the U.S. Administration and HHS, including CMS and other relevant agencies and offices.
Recommend advocacy priorities and engagement strategies aligned with enterprise objectives, and assess emerging developments to recommend responses.
Identify opportunities to advance earlier diagnosis and detection, appropriate treatment, patient access, and innovation.
Advise senior leadership on executive-branch priorities and stakeholder dynamics.
Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and relationship plans for priority Administration and HHS stakeholders, and establish senior-level relationships as appropriate.
Design executive engagement plans, including prioritization, objectives, preparation, follow-up, and outcome assessment; partner with senior leaders on priority engagements and represent Boehringer when appropriate.
Coordinate cross-functional planning, share stakeholder insights and opportunities, establish governance processes, and support coordinated responses to significant developments.
Translate enterprise priorities into focused advocacy plans, defining policy objectives, audiences, messages, engagement pathways, coalition opportunities, and measures of progress.
Coordinate implementation with Public Policy, Government Affairs, PAR, Communications, and accountable business functions.
Provide senior leaders with integrated assessments of political, policy, stakeholder, and reputation implications; prepare decision materials, briefings, scenarios, and recommendations.
Partner with relevant functions to ensure advocacy reflects subject-matter expertise, coordinate engagements concerning their areas, and escalate role or decision-right questions when needed.
Identify and develop external partnerships and coalition strategies; evaluate opportunities for strategic fit, credibility, compliance, and impact.
Lead assigned colleagues, consultants, budgets, and external resources; set priorities, allocate resources, manage performance, and build capability.
Maintain appropriate records of stakeholder engagement, plans, commitments, and follow-up.