West Region Executive Director, State Government Affairs

Merck; Topeka (KS); Remote; USD 256,000 - 403,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in the United States is seeking an Executive Director, State Government Affairs to lead a 6-7 person team across the western U.S., directing legislative and regulatory engagement with state and local officials to protect patient access and promote innovation.

This role requires a BS/BA, 10+ years in state government affairs, strong policy development, and proven leadership. Travel up to 50% and cross-divisional collaboration are expected; remote flexibility is available.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years-experience in state government affairs and policy.
• Experience developing legislative policy priorities aligned with business priorities.
• 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

State government affairs

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Writing and presentation

Travel 50%+

Budget/Resource management

Regulatory understanding

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

BS/BA

Job description

Merck in the United States is seeking an Executive Director, State Government Affairs to lead a 6-7 person team across the western U.S., directing legislative and regulatory engagement with state and local officials to protect patient access and promote innovation.

This role requires a BS/BA, 10+ years in state government affairs, strong policy development, and proven leadership. Travel up to 50% and cross-divisional collaboration are expected; remote flexibility is available.