US_Director, Science Policy

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 230,000 - 346,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Retirement savings

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim seeks a Director of Science Policy to develop US public policy strategies advancing biomedical innovation, regulatory science, and patient access. You will partner with Public & Government Affairs and cross-functional teams to translate scientific priorities into external policy actions.

The role requires a decade or more in public policy or life sciences, ability to build coalitions, exemplary executive communication, and leadership across regulatory, policy, and advocacy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred such as JD, MPH, MPP, MPA, MBA, PhD, or equivalent relevant advanced education.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in public policy, government affairs, healthcare policy, life sciences, biotechnology, regulatory affairs, the pharmaceutical industry, trade associations, scientific organizations, research institutions, or government.
• Demonstrated expertise in biomedical innovation, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, clinical research, regulatory science, and FDA-related public policy issues.
• Proven experience developing and executing public policy strategies that influence legislative, policy, scientific, or stakeholder outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific, clinical, and regulatory issues into clear policy positions and advocacy strategies without assuming responsibility for product-specific regulatory strategy or health authority engagement.
• Proven ability to build coalitions and productive relationships across diverse stakeholder groups; assess emerging trends and identify strategic implications; advise senior leadership; and influence decision-making in a matrixed organization.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, written, verbal, presentation, collaboration, and project leadership skills.
• Demonstrated executive presence, sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and accountability
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.

Responsibilities

• Science and Innovation Policy Strategy: Develop and execute U.S. public policy strategies supporting biomedical innovation, scientific advancement, biotechnology competitiveness, clinical research, regulatory science, emerging technologies, and modernization of the healthcare innovation ecosystem.
• Strategic Counsel and Foresight: Advise leadership and cross-functional partners on legislative, policy, scientific, and stakeholder developments; anticipate issues and assess implications.
• Policy Positions and Thought Leadership: Collaborate to develop and maintain enterprise policy positions, issue analyses, and strategic recommendations.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Understand scientific priorities and ensure policy positions are informed by regulatory expertise; coordinate with multiple internal teams.
• Advocacy Strategy and External Engagement: Design and support advocacy strategies with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and partners; represent BI in coalitions and policy forums.
• Policy Intelligence and Knowledge Management: Assess developments affecting biomedical research and translate findings into insights and actions.
• Executive Communications: Develop policy briefs, presentations, position papers, talking points for senior leadership.
• Cross-Functional Initiative Leadership: Lead cross-functional science and innovation policy initiatives with clear objectives and milestones.

Skills

Public policy strategy

Regulatory affairs knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communications

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Project leadership

Policy advocacy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Director, Science Policy will develop and execute U.S. public policy strategies related to biomedical innovation, scientific advancement, biotechnology competitiveness, clinical research, regulatory science, emerging technologies, and the broader U.S. science and innovation ecosystem. Provide strategic counsel to Public & Government Affairs leadership and key business partners regarding legislative, policy, and stakeholder developments that affect the research, development, approval, and delivery of innovative medicines and healthcare solutions.

The incumbent will identify opportunities and risks in the evolving science and innovation policy landscape and recommend approaches that advance biomedical innovation, support patient access to innovative therapies, strengthen U.S. scientific leadership, and promote Boehringer Ingelheim's long-term business and reputation objectives. Collaborate with relevant functions to develop and advance company positions, thought leadership, and advocacy strategies, and represent Boehringer Ingelheim, as and where appropriate, with industry associations, scientific organizations, academic institutions, think tanks, coalition partners, and other stakeholders.

This role works in close partnership with Regulatory Affairs and Policy, the Innovation Unit, Public Policy, Government Affairs, Communications, Legal, and other functions. Regulatory Affairs retains responsibility for regulatory strategy, product-specific regulatory activities, health authority engagement, submissions, approvals, and scientific interactions with FDA. The Innovation Unit retains responsibility for research and development strategy, pipeline priorities, evidence generation, and scientific decision‑making. The Director, Science Policy is responsible for the U.S. public policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and thought leadership dimensions of assigned science and innovation policy priorities, translating enterprise scientific priorities into coordinated external policy strategies.

As an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, you will actively contribute to the discovery, development, and delivery of our products to our patients and customers. Our global presence provides an opportunity for all employees to collaborate internationally, offering visibility and the opportunity to directly contribute to the company's success. We realize that our strength and competitive advantage lie with our people. We support our employees in several ways to foster a healthy working environment, meaningful work, mobility, networking, and work‑life balance. Our competitive compensation and benefit programs reflect Boehringer Ingelheim's high regard for our employees.

Compensation Data

The base salary range for this position is $230,400 to $345,600. The position may be eligible for a role‑specific discretionary bonus, relocation assistance, and/or other compensation elements. We continuously review market data and may adjust salary ranges as needed in the future. Actual compensation will be based on job‑related factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and other factors permitted by law.

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage
• retirement savings opportunities
• paid time off
• paid holidays
• disability and life insurance benefits
• other company-sponsored benefits

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Duties & Responsibilities

Science and Innovation Policy Strategy

Develop and execute U.S. public policy strategies supporting biomedical innovation, scientific advancement, biotechnology competitiveness, clinical research, regulatory science, emerging technologies, and modernization of the healthcare innovation ecosystem, in alignment with Public & Government Affairs priorities and relevant enterprise strategies.

Strategic Counsel and Foresight

Advise Public & Government Affairs leadership and cross‑functional partners on legislative, policy, scientific, and stakeholder developments. Anticipate emerging issues and assess implications for research, innovation, patients, business objectives, and reputation.

Policy Positions and Thought Leadership

Collaborate with the Innovation Unit, Regulatory Affairs and Policy, Public Policy, Government Affairs, and other relevant partners to develop and maintain enterprise policy positions, thought leadership frameworks, issue analyses, and strategic recommendations related to biomedical innovation, clinical research, regulatory science, data and evidence generation, emerging technologies, and the future of healthcare.

Cross‑Functional Partnership

Work with the Innovation Unit to understand scientific priorities and innovation challenges, and with Regulatory Affairs and Policy to ensure public policy positions are informed by regulatory expertise. Coordinate with Public Policy, Government Affairs, Medical Affairs, Communications, Legal, Compliance, Value & Access, and relevant business teams.

Advocacy Strategy and External Engagement

Design and support advocacy strategies with policymakers, scientific organizations, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, patient organizations, and other partners. Represent Boehringer Ingelheim, as and where appropriate and in coordination with relevant internal functions, in trade associations, coalitions, policy forums, and stakeholder engagements.

Policy Intelligence and Knowledge Management

Assess emerging federal legislative, policy, scientific, and technology developments affecting biomedical research, therapeutic development, evidence generation, and innovation; translate relevant developments into timely insights, strategic implications, and recommended actions.

Executive Communications

Develop policy briefs, executive presentations and slide decks, position papers, issue analyses, talking points, and other strategic communications for senior leadership and stakeholders.

Cross‑Functional Initiative Leadership

Lead assigned cross‑functional science and innovation policy initiatives by establishing objectives, workplans, roles, milestones, and measures of success; coordinate participating functions, surface issues, and drive disciplined execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree preferred, such as JD, MPH, MPP, MPA, MBA, PhD, or equivalent relevant advanced education
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in public policy, government affairs, healthcare policy, life sciences, biotechnology, regulatory affairs, the pharmaceutical industry, trade associations, scientific organizations, research institutions, or government
• Demonstrated expertise in biomedical innovation, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, clinical research, regulatory science, and FDA‑related public policy issues.
• Proven experience developing and executing public policy strategies that influence legislative, policy, scientific, or stakeholder outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific, clinical, and regulatory issues into clear policy positions and advocacy strategies without assuming responsibility for product‑specific regulatory strategy or health authority engagement
• Proven ability to build coalitions and productive relationships across diverse stakeholder groups; assess emerging trends and identify strategic implications; advise senior leadership; and influence decision‑making in a matrixed organization.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, written, verbal, presentation, collaboration, and project leadership skills.
• Demonstrated executive presence, sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and accountability

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Must be willing to take a drug test and post‑offer physical (if required).