Associate Director, State and Local Government Affairs- Northeast

Job Description

About This Role

The Public Policy & Government Affairs (PPGA) team is seeking an Associate Director to lead state and local government affairs work in our Northeastern states territory. This is a critical role at Biogen, shaping state policy to benefit patient access, affordability, and innovation. The ideal candidate will be detailed-oriented and possess strong relationship management and interpersonal skills and bring previous direct lobbying experience. You will work under the oversight of the Head of State & Local Government Affairs and is a hybrid role that requires some office presence at Biogen’s global corporate headquarters in Cambridge, MA.

What You’ll Do

• Educate state policymakers about Biogen’s policy interests and advocate for policy solutions focused on patient affordability and access to innovative drug treatments
• Represent Biogen in industry and national non-partisan/partisan state government groups and other department and cross functional groups to analyze access and affordability policies, including legislation, agency rules and guidance
• Manage state government affairs consultants in priority states
• Work to develop relationships with other local third parties, including business groups, patient advocacy organizations and other alliance partners to help advance policy priorities
• Seek opportunities for Executive engagement with public officials, including through site visits
• Collaborate with Corporate Affairs to highlight Biogen’s corporate social responsibility work to build Biogen’s reputation with state and local government stakeholders
• Work to build a culture of political engagement at Biogen and seek opportunities for employee grassroots advocacy
• Engage on municipal issues, including with local Mayors and City Councils, as they relate to our Cambridge and Weston sites
• Anticipated state territory (7 states): MA, NY, CT, VT, NH, ME, RI
• Other duties as assigned

You will be self-motivated with an ability to work in a dynamic environment.  Success in this role ensures Biogen maintains its leadership advocating for pro-patient policies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years successful track record advocating and lobbying complex policy issues in a state government setting, preferably in the healthcare sector 
• An in-depth knowledge of state legislative processes and the leverage points to influence state legislative and regulatory agendas
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with elected officials and their staffs as well as other government and non-governmental policy leaders.
• Demonstrated commitment to ensuring patient access to innovative medicines and the importance of a thriving biopharmaceutical industry
• 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 work in a highly dynamic, matrixed, fast-paced corporate environment including managing multiple projects with on time.
• Willingness to travel as needed (anticipated approximately 30% travel, and some evening events required)
• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant field preferred

Preferred Skills

• Strong analytical and business skills; ability to communicate effectively with high level executives
• Knowledge and understanding of healthcare product development and commercialization
• Advanced degree in relevant field (e.g., MPP, MPA, MPH, JD)
• Experience lobbying in the Northeastern region outlined above

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Why Biogen?

Our mission to find therapies for neurological and rare diseases is a unique focus within our industry and this shared purpose is what connects us as a team. We work together to overcome obstacles and to follow the science. We are resilient as we strive to make an impact on our patients’ lives and on changing the course of medicine. Together, we pioneer. Together, we thrive.

At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired.