Senior Director, State Government Affairs

Ferring Pharmaceuticals•Washington, DC

3d•$231,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Government Affairs, State (Head) reports to the Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy, manages State Government Affairs, and leads Ferring’s state advocacy efforts. The role creates and sustains relationships with state and local legislative offices, identifies state policies that reflect and support Ferring’s strategy and growth agenda, and strictly complies with federal and state lobbying registration and conduct requirements, as well as internal compliance and company policies. The role develops and executes Ferring’s state government affairs and advocacy strategy to advance business objectives, improve patient access, and support public policy priorities. It serves as the company’s lead state advocacy expert and, where applicable, registered lobbyist, partnering across the organization and with external stakeholders to shape favorable legislative and regulatory outcomes. The position is based in the Washington, D.C. market and requires travel up to 50%. Ferring offers competitive total compensation, flexible benefits, personal support, and learning and development opportunities. The stated base salary range is $231,000–$280,000, with additional annual incentive compensation based on individual and company performance. For non-field-based roles, employees may work from home up to two days and at a Ferring site three days weekly.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 7 years of progressively responsible government affairs or relations experience at the local, state, or federal level.
Experience with policy issues affecting the life sciences industry; internal pharmaceutical company experience is a plus.
Understanding of legislative processes, including policy and budget processes.
Expert research skills and ability to evaluate and interpret complex information.
Understanding of customer service, customer relations, problem solving, and conflict-management tools.
Knowledge of policy development methodologies and procedures.
Working knowledge of budgeting, budget management, and projections for a government affairs function.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to create, prepare, review, and edit correspondence, reports, presentations, and other documents.
Ability to influence and drive positive outcomes with senior government officials and stakeholders.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently and autonomously, with minimal supervision, and accept responsibility.
Ability to make sound judgments in reporting and interpreting data and information.
Willingness to travel up to 50%.
Position is based in the Washington, D.C. market.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or law degree.
Major or background in Government Relations, Public Administration, Public Relations, Political Science, Legal Studies, or a related area; commensurate experience may also be relevant.
Deep understanding of legislative processes.
Direct experience within a pharmaceutical company.
Track record of success in life sciences with patient and professional organizations.
Experience in a Congressional office and/or working with state legislators and Governors’ offices.
Experience in communications.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute state advocacy strategies aligned with Ferring’s business objectives, patient access goals, and public policy priorities.
Partner with business leaders, Government Affairs colleagues, and cross-functional teams to identify advocacy priorities and coordinate policy strategies.
Monitor, analyze, and communicate legislative and regulatory developments, including associated risks, opportunities, and business implications.
Lead state-based advocacy campaigns and influence legislative, regulatory, and reimbursement environments affecting patients, healthcare providers, and Ferring’s therapeutic areas.
Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, regulators, governors, legislators, congressional delegations, advocacy organizations, healthcare stakeholders, coalition partners, trade associations, medical societies, and patient groups.
Represent Ferring before state government officials, industry organizations, and external stakeholders, elevating the company’s reputation and visibility on public policy issues.
Identify policy opportunities and proactively address legislative and regulatory challenges affecting the business.
Serve as Ferring’s lead representative and policy subject matter expert on state government affairs, providing insights on emerging trends and policy developments.
Support lobbying and advocacy through policy analysis, strategic recommendations, messaging, stakeholder engagement, and coalition building.
Develop advocacy strategies supporting product launches, market access objectives, patient access, and reimbursement outcomes.
Prepare policy communications and advocacy materials, including briefing documents, legislative summaries, testimony, talking points, policy proposals, and stakeholder presentations.
Prepare and support internal stakeholders for legislative meetings, hearings, formulary discussions, regulatory engagements, and other policy activities.
Collaborate with public health organizations, academic institutions, patient advocates, prevention leaders, and community partners on public health objectives aligned with Ferring’s mission.
Lead selection and management of external consultants, government relations firms, lobbying partners, and policy experts.
Manage budgets, timelines, resources, and external partnerships to execute state advocacy priorities effectively.
Deliver policy insights that inform business decisions, protect healthcare access, improve patient outcomes, and create enterprise value.
Comply with federal and state lobbying registration and conduct requirements, internal compliance requirements, and company policies.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision healthcare, with employee premium contributions varying inversely with base salary.
401(k) plan and company match.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Basic life insurance.
Wellness benefits.
Reimbursement for certain tuition expenses.
40 hours of sick time frontloaded yearly, or more if required by state or local law.
Vacation accrual of 112.5 to 150 hours yearly during the first four years for full-time employees, with additional accruals beginning in the fifth year.
12 to 13 paid holidays per year.
26 weeks of paid parental leave.
Flexible benefits, personal support, and tailored learning and development opportunities.
For non-field-based roles, the option to work from home up to two days and at a Ferring site three days weekly.
Annual incentive compensation in the form of a bonus based on individual and company performance.