Regional Lead - State Government Affairs (CA.)

BioSpace; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 267,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Novo Nordisk seeks a Regional Lead of State Government Affairs to steer state policy engagements across the region. You will develop strategic lobbying plans, collaborate with internal partners, and advocate Novo Nordisk positions before governors, lawmakers, and health authorities.

This role emphasizes proactive policy planning, relationship building, and cross‑functional leadership to advance company objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7+ years in state legislative, government affairs, or lobbying.
• Advanced knowledge of state government affairs, policy analysis, and government relations.
• Strong planning and leadership skills; able to work under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develops proactive and reactive strategies to advance policy goals and mitigate risks.
• Monitors state policy and business environment for emerging issues affecting Novo Nordisk.
• Educates internal stakeholders and forms cross-functional working groups as needed.
• Advocates with state officials and legislative committees on Novo Nordisk positions.
• Tracks legislation, coordinates with policy team, and informs management.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Public speaking

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

About The Department

Novo Nordisk’s Market Access and Public Affairs team engages diverse stakeholders across political and healthcare landscapes to forge solutions that drive patient access to innovative products. We strive to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients with diabetes, obesity, growth hormone deficiencies and rare bleeding disorders through mutual wins for both Novo Nordisk and our Market Access customers. Our passion for helping people live better lives and our award-winning product pipeline can only be as effective as our ability to provide information to healthcare providers, key stakeholders and policymakers. Our Market Access and Public Affairs professionals ensure that the latest therapies and products reach the people who need them most, by creating an environment where innovation and chronic disease management drive optimal health outcomes. Are you ready to realize your potential?

The Position

The Regional Lead of State Government Affairs sits within the State Government Affairs Team. This individual is expected to participate comprehensively in Novo Nordisk's state policy agenda, particularly strategic goals, resource recommendations, leveraging of the Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee, and optimizing consultants. This position will focus on strategic planning, communicating, advocating, and executing on proactive state government affairs goals that advance Novo Nordisk's enterprise strategy as it relates to state legislation and policy. This position will also work strategically to defeat or mitigate actions by local state offices and organizations that could negatively affect our business and/or patients. The Regional Lead is accountable for relationships with state level appointees within an Administration and state legislative policymakers. This position will proactively collaborate with internal partners on all aspects of state , alliance and policy goals. This position serves as one of the company's primary contacts/advocates responsible for developing strategic lobbying plans, as well as communicating and promoting the company's positions directly to state and local officials.

Relationships

Reports to the Director, Team Lead Government Affairs, State. External relationships include but are not limited to: Governors and staff, state Legislators and staff, Public Health officials, including the State Departments of Health, Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs, Medicaid, public employee benefit administrators, Insurance Commissioner and other state agencies. In collaboration with the Alliance Development team & Policy team, cultivates relationships with business, policy and political organizations, relevant to the geographic region and with local chapters of national patient advocacy organizations, BIO and business and trade groups. Works with various national and regional business, policy and political groups such as the Governors Associations, National Conference of State Legislators, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Council of State Governments and others. Works with various national and regional business, policy and political groups such as the Governors Associations, National Conference of State Legislators, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Council of State Governments and others. Works with various national and regional business, policy and political groups such as the Governors Associations, National Conference of State Legislators, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Council of State Governments and others. Delegate to local membership groups, community organizations, collaborate there etc

Essential Functions

• Develops and manages proactive and reactive strategies to mitigate risks and identify opportunities for policy goals of importance to the Company to achieve the success of NNI business goals
• Monitors state policy and business environment for emerging issues that affect NNI products and/or business operations
• In consultation with the Team Lead, identifies and educates internal NNI stakeholders and, as necessary, creates NNI cross-functional working groups to keep all apprised of the status of the issues as they evolve, to assure that advocacy remains informed of current NNI business strategy
• Advocates within assigned states with key government officials, legislative committees and other entities Novo Nordisk’s position on legislative or public policy initiatives of importance to the company and the patients who rely on NNI therapies
• Develops strategic plan for geographic region to provide advance insights into risks and opportunities to which NNI may need to respond and develop political intelligence to enable proactive strategic plans for response
• Tracks state legislation and regulation on NNI’s businesses and coordinates with policy team to understand impacts and NNI’s position
• Coordinates with Alliance Development team on cross-functional projects involving outside organizations
• Ensures that state government officials, state legislative committees, and other relevant parties are educated on Novo Nordisk’s position on public affairs issues of importance to the Company
• Proactively initiates and cultivates relationships with state policymakers and their staffs on behalf of Novo Nordisk
• Participates in cross-functional work teams to stimulate effective collaboration and ensure progress toward Novo Nordisk legislative and regulatory objectives
• Develops strategies and spearheads opportunities to help grow Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee (PAC) and assist in the growth of NNI grassroots activities
• Builds organizational alignment on key issues by informing and educating management and employees about external developments
• Strategically manage state government affairs contract lobbyists and/or consultants
• Assures strict adherence to lobbying disclosure and other ethical requirements applicable to government relations activities within each state in which they engage
• Maintains beneficial relationships with patient, health care professional, and health advocacy groups, key government officials, legislative committees and other entities that define or influence state policy decisions affecting Novo Nordisk or the patients who rely on our therapies, consistent with and in coordination with the Alliance Development team
• Provides input for memos, educational materials, and presentations, as necessary, for senior leadership
• In collaboration with other necessary internal NNI stakeholders, plans and executes events for state and local officials designed to increase awareness of Novo Nordisk and policy issues

Physical Requirements

20-30% overnight travel required; Driver must maintain a valid driver’s license. Must be in good standing by not exceeding the Novo Nordisk points threshold assigned based on review of Motor Vehicle Records.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor 's degree and a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in state legislative, government affairs, or lobbying consulting firm experience required. Advanced degree preferred
• Multi-State Lobbying experience a strong plus
• Advanced knowledge of state government affairs and public policy, including policy analysis and government relations
• Strong planning, relationship building, cross-functional team and leadership skills required
• Demonstrated ability to proactively strategize on how best to advance policy priorities
• Ability to effectively deliver information, and explain, advocate and negotiate positions and issues to a broad spectrum of individuals required
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, with little or no supervision required
• Demonstrated track record of strong advocacy and communications skills
• Demonstrated analytical skills to understand key components of legislation and policy
• Pharmaceutical/healthcare industry experience and knowledge of diabetes, obesity and the diabetes and obesity marketplaces preferred, but not required
• Work with external stakeholder groups or alliance development experience a plus
• Experience within the health insurance space a plus
• Proven track record of effective strategic planning, execution and follow up
• Results-focused prior track record required
• Strong interpersonal and communications style with ability to convey passion about Novo Nordisk and our company 's public policy goals; ability to generate excitement and enthusiasm among internal and external audiences
• Travel required, including to NNI’s Princeton or Washington DC offices

Compensation

The base compensation range for this position is $152,000 to $267,000. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision coverage
• life insurance
• disability insurance
• 401(k) savings plan
• flexible spending accounts
• employee assistance program
• tuition reimbursement program
• voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance
• The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy, and parental leave policy

Equal Opportunity

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.