Associate Director, Federal Government Affairs

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Federal Government Affairs is a critical, high-impact role responsible for enhancing and executing Bristol Myers Squibb's (BMS) strategic engagement with key stakeholders on Capitol Hill. This position serves as the nexus for internal policy expertise and external Congressional outreach, strategically positioning BMS as a trusted educational resource and policy thought leader.

This is an outward-facing role focused on strategic impact, not direct lobbying. The successful candidate will be charged with developing, managing, and executing innovative and creative outreach strategies including educational programs, policy events, and targeted communications initiatives. The primary objective is to effectively elevate and articulate BMS' core policy priorities and therapeutic area expertise to Congressional audiences, ensuring a sophisticated understanding of our mission and contributions to healthcare innovation. The role requires exceptional organizational acumen, high-level communication skills, and a proven ability to translate complex policy matters into impactful educational materials.

 Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and assess Congressional and external forums (e.g., hearings, caucuses, think tank events) to position BMS messaging.

• Lead the design and execution of high-impact educational events on Capitol Hill, including briefings, panels, and policy roundtables.

• Secure and staff opportunities for BMS experts and executives to speak at external forums, positioning BMS as the authoritative policy voice.

• Serve as the central hub for policy materials and intelligence to directly support and enable the Federal Affairs lobbying team.

• Act as the internal point of contact to gather, synthesize, and disseminate current data and messaging from internal teams and external trade groups.

• Quickly mobilize resources to capitalize on opportunities flagged by lobbyists, such as securing witness seats for key hearings or panels.

• Ensure timely, compelling information is consistently available to the entire team to support direct lobbying efforts and external engagement.

• Collaborate closely with Federal Government Affairs, Policy, and Alliance Development teams to ensure unified approach to any Congressional engagements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5-7 years of professional experience working in Congress or other organizations with Congressional focus

• Proven ability to translate complex scientific and policy issues into clear, compelling, and politically relevant messages for Congressional audiences.

• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strong, non-partisan working relationships with Congressional staff and key D.C. political and policy stakeholders.

• Exceptional organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to independently manage and execute multiple complex, high-visibility projects and events under tight deadlines.

• Strategic, creative, and proactive approach to engagement, focused on education and solutions rather than traditional, direct lobbying.

• Ability to navigate internal processes and functions, while driving alignment for outreach initiatives within the U.S. Policy and Government Affairs team.

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If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Compensation Overview:

Washington DC - US: $182,070 - $220,626