Senior Director, Government Affairs

Supernus Pharmaceuticals is an award-winning biopharmaceutical company with more than 30 years of experience in developing and commercializing products that treat central nervous system (CNS) diseases. At Supernus, we develop innovative products that help treat neurological and psychiatric conditions. At Supernus, we develop innovative products that help treat neurological and psychiatric conditions. We currently have 8 products in the market that are making a real impact on patient outcomes.

Job Summary:  

The Senior Director, State Government Affairs will be responsible for developing and implementing the company’s state/regional government affairs and public policy strategy. This position will work closely with several functional areas, including communications, market access, medical affairs, and commercial, to lead Supernus’ public policy efforts and advance our company’s goals. This field-based position will lead these State Government areas for the entirety of the US.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Drives strategy and creates plans of action to impact policy change.
• Develop, coordinate, and lead the company’s state/regional public policy efforts.
• Collaborates with communications, market access, medical affairs, and marketing departments to ensure that state public policy goals are aligned to meet company objectives and most effectively serve the needs of patients.
• Analyze and monitor legislation, regulations, and political activity relating to issues that may impact Supernus.
• Develop and maintain high-level relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders to achieve Supernus goals.
• Collaborates with and facilitates advocacy coalitions for specific public policy goals.
• Leads complex cross-functional initiatives that have impact across the team.
• Develops written analyses, testimony, and background materials in support of Supernus objectives.
• Leverage pre-existing relationships as well as facilitating partnerships with additional community-based organizations and coalitions to reach public policy and company goals.
• Managing contract lobbyists and overseeing compliance with state laws for lobbyist registration, reporting and political contributions.
• Identifies and pursues additional opportunities to advance our company’s business objectives.
• Other responsibilities and projects assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership and management in an effective manner consistent with Company Values towards defined Corporate Objectives.
• Understands Company Policy and procedure to be able to guide direct reports appropriately.

Knowledge & Other Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, JD, MPP/MPA, MPH, and or MBA preferred.
• 12+ years in Pharmaceuticals, showing progressive experience in Government Affairs, Public Policy or legislative roles.
• Success in developing multiple relationships at the State and Federal level.
• Track record in developing advocacy that shapes healthcare policy outcomes.
• Strong negotiation and consensus building abilities.
• Experience in leading lobbying strategies, directly or indirectly via firms.
• Proven ability to translate policy risk into commercial impact.
• Ability to develop and effectively deliver a customer or internal presentation.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Other Characteristics:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and maintain high ethical standards of integrity and quality.
• Ability to have an innovative and dynamic approach to work.
• A self-starter able to work independently but comfortable working in a team environment.
• Ability to consistently exhibit Supernus Values in interactions with employees at all levels of the organization, vendors, customers and others.
• Capable of performing other duties as assigned by Management.
• Authorized to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Travel Requirements:

• Lifting Requirements: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently to pick up, move and/or carry objects.
• Walking: Intermittent walking and moving from location to location.
• Visual Acuity: to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer screen, iPad, or other electronic devices and for operating motor vehicles.
• Driving and Travel: Must be able to drive an automo