Director, Government Affairs

We go where others won’t, taking on some of the biggest public health challenges to protect and enhance millions of lives, and create a better, more secure world. Here, you will join passionate professionals who advance their scientific, technical and professional skills to develop products designed-to protect and enhance life.

I.    JOB SUMMARY 

The Director, State Government Affairs position is responsible for advocating and driving Emergent BioSolutions’ state public policy interests to state elected officials, appointees, regulatory agencies, and other key state decision makers, as specified. The successful candidate will advocate for legislative, regulatory and health policies and establish relationships with state elected officials, Governors, and other key state stakeholders on health policy issues relevant to Emergent’s business goals.  

II.    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•    Reporting to the Senior Director of State Government Affairs, the Director of State Government Affairs will drive an integrated state government affairs strategy for assigned states in close collaboration with other Emergent team members (e.g., Field Directors, Communications, Public Affairs, Legal, Medical Affairs, etc.) and state contract lobbyists.
•    The primary responsibilities of this role will include, among other things, to identify state policy opportunities and risks for the business, align cross-functionally on state strategies, prioritize resources, and execute state legislative and political initiatives that will support Emergent’s public sector goals.
•    Develop and maintain relationships with elected state officials, legislators, staff, regulators, and state agency leaders. 
•    Assist in managing contract lobbyists and consultants and focus their activities on key priorities that support patient access and business goals. 
•    Monitor, analyze, and report on state legislation that could forward or potentially impede Emergent’s public sector goals. 
•    Provide strategic guidance to Emergent’s leadership on current and emerging state legislative and political tends, opportunities, and risks relevant to the business; ability to build strong relationships with internal leaders that foster open communications. 
•    Effectively communicate company policy positions and operational concerns to state legislators and executive branch policymakers in assigned states. 
•    Collaborate with Emergent’s global government affairs team to share best practices that enable patient access. 
•    Participate in national/state-focused groups to expand engagement and shape their policy positions (e.g. Governors Associations, Legislative Associations, and other similar organizations).
•    Actively participate in industry trade associations and other allied patient access groups to shape industry and business community positions. 
•    Support the creation of internal and external advocacy and educational materials; curate leave-behind materials for state leaders. 
•    Support partnerships with key external alliance partners in supported therapeutic areas.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature of work performed by those in this job and are not an exhaustive list of all duties. Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time which reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. 

III. MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS
•    Bachelors’ degree or equivalent required. Advanced Degree preferred. 
•    7+ years of experience interacting with policy and political leadership at the state or local level; several years of experience in a pharmaceutical or medical device environment preferred.  
•    Strong understanding of state legislative and rulemaking processes. 
•    Direct lobbying experience and/or legislative staff experience is strongly preferred.
•    History of success working with Governors, State Legislators, Cabinet Members, and other key state leaders; ability to build strong relationships with key state decision makers is essential.
•    Ability to effectively navigate and leverage trade association memberships.  
•    Prior experience with opioid antagonist or related products and/or experience within substance use treatment environment a plus. 
•    Understanding and passion to assist and help those suffering from chronic substance use and the associated co-occurring conditions.
•    Understanding of how the political environment (local, state, and national) can affect patient access to Emergent’s products.
•    Strong critical thinking/problem solving ski