Senior Director, Federal Government Relations

Viatris•Washington, DC

About The Position

Viatris is a global healthcare company uniquely positioned to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both to more holistically address healthcare needs globally. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, we provide access at scale, currently supplying high-quality medicines to approximately 1 billion patients around the world annually and touching all of life's moments, from birth to the end of life, acute conditions to chronic diseases. The Senior Director, Federal Government Relations role will lead in the development and execution of federal government relations strategies and tactics to successfully implement legislative and policy goals pertaining to Viatris’ policy and business interests. This role will advocate on behalf of Viatris on issues pertaining to Viatris’ policy and business interests before Congress, relevant federal agencies, and the Administration. The role also involves managing day-to-day Viatris relationships with policymakers and participating in relevant staff-level coalition work groups to advocate for Viatris’ desired objectives. Additionally, the Senior Director will develop, maintain, and expand relationships and communications with Congressional staff and Administration officials to ensure Viatris is known as a thought and policy leader on issues and policies impacting the pharmaceutical industry. The role requires close collaboration with external consultants, trade associations, coalitions, and other parties to execute business strategic plans, and involves analyzing key legislative issues in light of the company’s strategic goals. The Senior Director will also develop various internal and external documents to support Viatris’ initiatives and build knowledge of policy parameters and political factors influencing Viatris’ government relations objectives. This role requires a robust understanding of U.S. healthcare delivery and its political ecosystem, and close partnership with State Government Relations and the Office of Global Policy on legislative and policy activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
A minimum of seven years of experience in federal government affairs or public/health policy is required.
Experience should reflect increasing levels of responsibility, ideally within the healthcare sector.
Proven contact network, involvement and success in developing federal legislative campaigns and strong knowledge of the federal legislative and regulatory processes including understanding of Federal healthcare programs (i.e. Medicare/Medicaid, VA, DOD etc.).
Established relationships with policy makers within healthcare community including relevant Congressional committees, key staff, and federal agencies.
Able to effectively interact with policymakers, executives and possess outstanding written, verbal and presentation skills to synthesize complex issues and persuasively articulate specific actions and initiatives.
Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, consensus gathering skills, and be a team player in collaborating, supporting and implementing function, department initiatives.
Proficiency in speaking, comprehending, reading and writing English is required.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree (e.g., business, legal, policy) preferred.
Ten or more years of experience strongly preferred.
Relevant combinations of education and experience may also be considered.
Industry related, Trade association, lobbying, federal agency, and Capitol Hill experience are desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead in the development and execution of federal government relations strategies and tactics to successfully implement legislative and policy goals pertaining to Viatris’ policy and business interests.
Advocate on behalf of Viatris on issues pertaining to Viatris’ policy and business interests before Congress, relevant federal agencies, and the Adminstration.
Manage day-to-day Viatris relationships with policymakers and participate in relevant staff-level coalition work groups in order to advocate for Viatris’ desired objectives.
Develop, maintain and expand relationships and communications with Congressional staff and Administration officials to ensure Viatris is known as a thought and policy leader on issues and policies impacting the pharmaceutical industry.
Work with the Head of U.S. Government Relations to coordinate assignments and work closely with external consultants, trade associations, coalitions, other parties to execute on business strategic plans.
Analyze key legislative issues in light of the company’s strategic goals and focus on those issues that advance (or could potentially inhibit) the company’s competitive business interests.
Develop documents for internal and external use such as draft legislative language, policy briefs, advocacy materials, fact sheets, issue messages and other materials concisely and quickly to support Viatris’ initiatives, and in coordination with Viatris’ communications team as appropriate.
Build knowledge and understanding of policy parameters and political factors influencing Viatris’ government relations objectives and ensure ongoing awareness and support for legislative activities with Viatris business leaders.
Partner and work in close collaboration with State Government Relations, Office of Global Policy, relevant internal functions on legislative and policy activities to enhance Viatris presence with policymakers.