Director, State Government Affairs (Florida Region)
Bristol Myers SquibbAbout the role
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.
The Director of State Government Affairs (SGA) is accountable for shaping health care policy to benefit patient access, affordability, and innovation. Responsible for serving as the primary representative of BMS to the assigned state legislatures, state executive branch and associated state agencies to generate awareness and support for BMS’ public policy agenda. This SGA Director role is a field-based opportunity with responsibility for the Florida Region. With the regional lead, the Director will establish legislative and policy objectives in coordination with USPGA leadership to ensure alignment with overall departmental goals and key corporate functions. The Director will serve as the company’s registered lobbyist in both state legislatures and executive branch agencies. The position is preferably based out of Tallahassee, Florida.
Key Responsibilities
- Educate state policymakers about BMS’ business and patients and advocate for legislative solutions focused on patient affordability and access. Assist on local issues as they arise as related to BMS sites.
- Help further USPGA’s goals and explore opportunities for BMS to collaborate and advance implementation of policy to ensure patient access including health equity.
- Maximize opportunities to establish connectivity to the business, including with the brand & field teams.
- Assess impact of proposed state legislation to the businesses within BMS’ portfolio and propose and guide lobbying strategies and potential financial impact.
- Work to leverage BMS memberships in business and industry groups including PhRMA, BIO, NAM and local Chambers of Commerce.
- Ensure BMS is maximizing opportunities available through the economic development agency for the sector, including initiatives related to STEM and D&I.
- Partner closely with multiple cross-functional teams to analyze access and payment policies proposed by government and commercial payers, including rules and guidance from state Medicaid agencies, state legislatures, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Use sound judgment to develop targeted engagements with key stakeholders.
- Demonstrate commitment to ensuring patient access to innovative medicines and the importance of a thriving biopharmaceutical industry.
Qualifications & Experience
- A minimum of 8 years of service working on state healthcare legislation and Medicaid issues in state government or relevant pharmaceutical/private sector experience.
- Bachelors' degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Excellent verbal, analytical, written, and interpersonal communication skills, particularly in interpreting and distilling complex information.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills—demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple work streams.
- Ability to maintain good working relationships, internally and externally.
- Ability to work in a deadline-driven and fast-paced environment including managing multiple projects on time.
- Experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including trade associations and coalitions, and ability to proactively drive consensus.
- Ability to travel as needed.
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.
Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents
Apply for this role
Generate a tailored application kit with a matched cover letter, interview prep, and CV highlights — in under 60 seconds.
Apply Now →Generate Application KitFree account required — sign up in 30s