Head of State Policy & Government Affairs

Merck & Co.; North Wales (Montgomery County); Hybrid; USD 256,000 - 403,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote flexibility

Annual bonus and long-term incentive

401(k) retirement plan

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

Merck & Co. is seeking an Executive Director State Government Affairs to lead a team of 6-7 Directors for the western half of the U.S., covering about 25 states. You will direct policy engagement with state legislatures, regulators, and executive branches to support access to medicines and vaccines.

The role requires strong leadership, policy development experience, and the ability to align state priorities with business objectives. Remote flexibility is available with travel across the U.S.

Qualifications

• BS/BA required.
• 10+ years in state government affairs and policy.
• Experience addressing policy issues affecting the bio-pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience managing and leading teams, including employee development.
• Demonstrated experience engaging executive level leaders.
• Strong experience with internal and external stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of state legislative policy-making process.
• Experience in analyzing state legislation.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage team's work on state legislative and policy issues to support all U.S. Divisions and operations, including human health and animal health.
• Manage the activities of the individual Directors in the West region on their interactions with state and local officials.
• Lead execution of region strategy to mitigate legislative policy risks that would limit access to our products and support proactive policy to maintain a competitive market for innovative biopharmaceuticals.
• Manage the team's engagement with a broad group of stakeholders in the legislative and executive branches of government, key state agencies, and business, trade, and health policy associations.
• As part of leadership team identify, analyze, and develop Company's response to legislative policy issues impacting strategic business priorities
• Serve as lead for assigned policy priorities for products, above-brand issues, department operations, and resource development; and manage team assignments.
• Serve as point to external stakeholder legislative, policy and business groups to ensure alignment on policy positions.
• Work cross-divisionally with franchise, policy, and subject matter experts to align on policy priorities and strategy.
• Support and guide the individual professional development and growth of team members.
• Manage contractual and operational resources for the western region, including political contributions, contract counsel, and policy grant oversight.
• Ensure state advocacy on behalf of the company in the region is conducted in compliance with company policy and all state and federal laws.

Skills

Financial Research

Healthcare Policies

Health Technology Assessment (HTA)

International Engagements

Legislative Relations

Market Access

People Leadership

Pharmaceutical Industry

Policy Development

Political Forums

Program Management

Relationship Building

Stakeholder Coordination

Strategic Planning

Education

BS/BA required

Job description

Merck & Co. is seeking an Executive Director State Government Affairs to lead a team of 6-7 Directors for the western half of the U.S., covering about 25 states. You will direct policy engagement with state legislatures, regulators, and executive branches to support access to medicines and vaccines.

The role requires strong leadership, policy development experience, and the ability to align state priorities with business objectives. Remote flexibility is available with travel across the U.S.