Local Public Affairs Director, US Manufacturing Growth

Novo Nordisk; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Performance bonus

Paid holidays

Health insurance

401K with company match

Parental & family leave

Tuition assistance

Life & disability insurance

Referral program

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in Clayton, NC seeks an Associate Director of US Local Public Affairs to lead the local public affairs function for manufacturing priorities. You will protect operations, build government relationships, and drive strategies with state and local officials, while guiding the team and coordinating with enterprise partners.

You’ll oversee external affairs, manage budgets and KPIs, and ensure compliant advocacy across multiple jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years in local/state/federal government affairs or public affairs.
• At least 5 years of direct people leadership experience.
• Experience with site operations issues (permits, zoning, incentives).
• Strong analytical judgment and regulatory know-how.
• Knowledge of legislative/public affairs processes.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and govern governance.
• Experience in external issues management and incident response.
• Coalition-building across business, industry, education, and community.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Set strategy and execute local gov't affairs priorities across US sites.
• Lead and develop the local public affairs team and succession plans.
• Manage external affairs model: priorities, KPIs, budget, vendors.
• Monitor policy developments and align actions and messaging.
• Lead alliance-building with partners to support workforce and infra goals.
• Engage government stakeholders to explain manufacturing priorities.
• Maintain relationships with local officials and decision-makers.
• Oversee external issues management with planned response paths.
• Mitigate construction permitting, zoning, and infrastructure delays.
• Set community investment strategy to boost site reputation.
• Drive economic development and incentives for site expansion.
• Coordinate with USO Public Affairs for aligned messaging.

Skills

Public affairs leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Coalition building

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public affairs/political science/public administration

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Novo Nordisk in Clayton, NC seeks an Associate Director of US Local Public Affairs to lead the local public affairs function for manufacturing priorities. You will protect operations, build government relationships, and drive strategies with state and local officials, while guiding the team and coordinating with enterprise partners.

You’ll oversee external affairs, manage budgets and KPIs, and ensure compliant advocacy across multiple jurisdictions.