Executive Director, State Government Affairs West

MSD • North Wales, PA

20h • $255,800 - $402,700 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director, State Government Affairs West leads a team of 6–7 State Government Affairs Directors across approximately 25 western U.S. states. The team represents the company in interactions with state and local executive, legislative, and regulatory bodies. The role directs state government affairs and policy work supporting all U.S. divisions and operations, including human health and animal health, and leads regional strategy to address legislative policy risks and support policies that maintain a competitive market for innovative biopharmaceuticals.

The Executive Director engages stakeholders across government, state agencies, and business, trade, and health policy associations; identifies and develops company responses to legislative policy issues affecting strategic priorities; and coordinates policy priorities and strategy across divisions. The position also oversees team development, regional contractual and operational resources, and compliance with company policies and applicable state and federal laws. The role is site-based in Upper Gwynedd/North Wales, Pennsylvania, with remote flexibility, approximately 50% travel across the U.S., and routine travel to Washington, DC.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree required.
• At least 10 years of experience in state government affairs and policy.
• Experience developing legislative policy priorities aligned with business priorities.
• Experience addressing policy issues affecting the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Experience managing and leading teams, including employee development.
• Demonstrated experience engaging executive-level leaders.
• Strong experience with internal and external stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of state legislative policymaking processes.
• Experience analyzing state legislation.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
• Required skills: coalition management, government relations, health equity, health technology assessment (HTA), legislative issues, media relations, people leadership, policy development, public health policy development, public policy analysis, public relations management, public speaking, regulatory development, results orientation, and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the team’s work on state legislative and policy issues supporting all U.S. divisions and operations, including human health and animal health.
• Manage the activities of regional Directors in their interactions with state and local officials.
• Lead execution of regional strategy to mitigate legislative policy risks that could limit access to company products and support proactive policies that maintain a competitive market for innovative biopharmaceuticals.
• Manage team engagement with stakeholders in legislative and executive branches of government, state agencies, and business, trade, and health policy associations.
• As part of the leadership team, identify, analyze, and develop the company’s responses to legislative policy issues affecting strategic business priorities.
• Lead assigned policy priorities for products, above-brand issues, department operations, and resource development, and manage team assignments.
• Serve as a point of contact for external stakeholder legislative, policy, and business groups to ensure alignment on policy positions.
• Work across divisions with franchise, policy, and subject matter experts to align policy priorities and strategy.
• Support and guide the professional development and growth of team members.
• Manage contractual and operational resources for the western region, including political contributions, contract counsel, and policy grant oversight.
• Ensure regional state advocacy is conducted in compliance with company policy and applicable state and federal laws.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and families.
• Retirement benefits, including a 401(k).
• Paid holidays.
• Vacation.
• Compassionate and sick days.
• Eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

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