Regional Lead, State Government Affairs (MN, IL, WI, MO)

Novo Nordisk•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Position The Regional Lead of State Government Affairs sits within the State Government Affairs Team. This individual is expected to participate comprehensively in Novo Nordisk's state policy agenda, particularly strategic goals, resource recommendations, leveraging of the Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee, and optimizing consultants. This position will focus on strategic planning, communicating, advocating, and executing on proactive state government affairs goals that advance Novo Nordisk's enterprise strategy as it relates to state legislation and policy. This position will also work strategically to defeat or mitigate actions by local state offices and organizations that could negatively affect our business and/or patients. The Regional Lead is accountable for relationships with state level appointees within an administration and state legislative policymakers. This position will proactively collaborate with internal partners on all aspects of state, alliance and policy goals. This position serves as one of the company's primary contacts/advocates responsible for developing strategic lobbying plans, as well as communicating and promoting the company's positions directly to state and local officials.

Requirements

A Bachelor 's degree and a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in state legislative, government affairs, or lobbying consulting firm experience required.
Advanced knowledge of state government affairs and public policy, including policy analysis and government relations
Strong planning, relationship building, cross-functional team and leadership skills required
Demonstrated ability to proactively strategize on how best to advance policy priorities
Ability to effectively deliver information, and explain, advocate and negotiate positions and issues to a broad spectrum of individuals required
Ability to work under tight deadlines, with little or no supervision required
Demonstrated track record of strong advocacy and communications skills
Demonstrated analytical skills to understand key components of legislation and policy
Pharmaceutical/healthcare industry experience and knowledge of diabetes, obesity and the diabetes and obesity marketplaces preferred, but not required
Results-focused prior track record required
Strong interpersonal and communications style with ability to convey passion about Novo Nordisk and our company 's public policy goals; ability to generate excitement and enthusiasm among internal and external audiences
Travel required, including to NNI’s Princeton or Washington DC offices

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred
Multi-State Lobbying experience a strong plus
Work with external stakeholder groups or alliance development experience a plus
Experience within the health insurance space a plus

Responsibilities

Develops and manages proactive and reactive strategies to mitigate risks and identify opportunities for policy goals of importance to the Company to achieve the success of NNI business goals
Monitors state policy and business environment for emerging issues that affect NNI products and/or business operations
In consultation with the Team Lead, identifies and educates internal NNI stakeholders and, as necessary, creates NNI cross-functional working groups to keep all apprised of the status of the issues as they evolve, to assure that advocacy remains informed of current NNI business strategy
Advocates within assigned states with key government officials, legislative committees and other entities Novo Nordisk’s position on legislative or public policy initiatives of importance to the company and the patients who rely on NNI therapies
Develops strategic plan for geographic region to provide advance insights into risks and opportunities to which NNI may need to respond and develop political intelligence to enable proactive strategic plans for response
Tracks state legislation and regulation on NNI’s businesses and coordinates with policy team to understand impacts and NNI’s position
Coordinates with Alliance Development team on cross-functional projects involving outside organizations
Ensures that state government officials, state legislative committees, and other relevant parties are educated on Novo Nordisk’s position on public affairs issues of importance to the Company
Proactively initiates and cultivates relationships with state policymakers and their staffs on behalf of Novo Nordisk
Participates in cross-functional work teams to stimulate effective collaboration and ensure progress toward Novo Nordisk legislative and regulatory objectives
Develops strategies and spearheads opportunities to help grow Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee (PAC) and assist in the growth of NNI grassroots activities
Builds organizational alignment on key issues by informing and educating management and employees about external developments
Strategically manage state government affairs contract lobbyists and/or consultants
Assures strict adherence to lobbying disclosure and other ethical requirements applicable to government relations activities within each state in which they engage
Maintains beneficial relationships with patient, health care professional, and health advocacy groups, key government officials, legislative committees and other entities that define or influence state policy decisions affecting Novo Nordisk or the patients who rely on our therapies, consistent with and in coordination with the Alliance Development team
Provides input for memos, educational materials, and presentations, as necessary, for senior leadership
In collaboration with other necessary internal NNI stakeholders, plans and executes events for state and local officials designed to increase awareness of Novo Nordisk and policy issues