Director, External Relations – Business Associations & Memberships

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

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking a dedicated leader to drive strategic engagement with the business community, focusing on cross-sector corporate issues that influence the broader policy landscape. This role will serve as the company’s primary liaison to major business associations—such as the Business Roundtable (BRT), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)—and will be responsible for aligning BMS’s healthcare priorities with the broader business agenda.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead BMS’s strategy and engagement with business associations, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and visibility in cross-sector policy discussions.

• Build and manage high-impact relationships with business-focused organizations and coalitions, including BRT, Chamber, NAM, and others.

• Represent BMS in forums addressing broad corporate issues such as fiscal policy, and regulatory reform—beyond traditional healthcare policy.

• Develop and execute integrated advocacy strategies that elevate BMS’s voice in the business community and influence external policy environments.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders on business group dynamics and opportunities for engagement.

• Monitor and assess emerging trends in corporate advocacy and translate insights into actionable strategies for BMS.

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment across policy, public affairs, and executive leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in public policy, political science, business, or related field preferred.

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in corporate affairs, government relations, or public policy—ideally with prior experience at a business association or trade or as a legislative staffer.

• Strong generalist policy acumen with the ability to engage across a wide range of issues and connect dots between policy and business priorities.

• Proven ability to navigate complex political and corporate landscapes, with a track record of building coalitions and driving strategic outcomes.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage senior executives, policymakers, and external stakeholders.

• Experience managing cross-functional initiatives and advising on corporate positioning in politically sensitive environments.

• Strategic thinker with a broad lens on corporate engagement

#LI-Hybrid

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: $206,210 - $249,878

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.<