Regional Senior Director (North Central) – State Advocacy

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is seeking a Regional Senior Director for State Government Affairs on its State Advocacy team. The Regional Senior Director is responsible for developing and implementing state legislative strategies in support of PhRMA’s priorities in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This position is based in St. Paul, Minnesota. The individual will report to the Deputy Vice President in State Advocacy and will work closely with colleagues across PhRMA and within PhRMA’s member companies to manage and execute the regional/state policy agendas.

The Regional Sr. Director will:

• Create and implement regional and state-based strategies in collaboration with key PhRMA counsel/colleagues and member company state task force leadership to address legislative and regulatory objectives in assigned states.
• Manage the performance of legislative consultants within the region to achieve PhRMA's objectives.
• Review legislation and regulation, work with the Policy team to develop and deliver policy statements, talking points and testimony. Liaise with and advise PhRMA colleagues and member company state task forces accordingly on such legislation and regulation.
• Represent PhRMA at various public meetings, legislative hearings, and regulatory agency meetings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key political leaders, state officials and staff.
• Build relationships and attend meetings/events with organizations and associations aligned with PhRMA's policy and regulatory interests.
• Lead and manage the operations of a physical PhRMA office including the management/career development of a part-time regional assistant and oversee all operational aspects of the office incorporating developing the annual budget, periodic forecasting of actual costs managing consultant contracts, office lease, equipment, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Success Factors
PhRMA seeks a collaborative, proactive, self-starter who is passionate about access to medicines and contributing to the healthcare challenges we face today. Key success factors for this role include strong interpersonal skills and extensive knowledge of the workings of state governments. The successful candidate should be independent, adaptable, able to reprioritize and shift gears quickly and be comfortable in a high-pressure environment. Excellent communication and public speaking skills are essential.

Professional Experience / Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in health policy, Public Policy, Communications or related field preferred.
• 8+ years of experience working in public policy or health-related fields with an emphasis on health policy including Medicaid.
• Experience working in state government/legislature and a strong understanding of the state legislative process.
• Must understand public policy issues and budgets, how to analyze them and how health policy and budgets are developed.
• Ability to engage in frequent domestic travel.

Preferred Attributes / Experience

• Master’s degree in government and/or political affairs.
• Experience working in a national trade association.
• Pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Political campaigns/Industry Advocacy/Working with state legislators.

Potential Salary

$137,000 - $182,210 per annum. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

Who we are
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives. Over the last decade, PhRMA member companies have more than doubled their annual investment in the search for new treatments and cures, including nearly $101 billion in 2022 alone.

Connect with PhRMA

For information on how innovative medicines save lives, please visit

What we offer
In addition to a highly competitive salary and bonus program, various opportunities for reward and recognition and a platform of extensive benefits, PhRMA is committed to the development and overall wellbeing of our team members. We offer traditional (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, life, AD&D, LTD, STD, LTC) and enhanced benefits such as parental leave, a well-being program, back-up care, health advocate service, employee assistance program and commuting benefits. We also offer a robust 401k plan with employer contributions upon the first day of hire and immediate vesting, a generous paid time off plan, seven paid holidays (plus inauguration day), half-day Fridays preceding holidays, half-day Fridays in the summer months and a paid winter break. As an organization, we work remotely on Mondays and Fridays and together in the office on Tuesdays through Thursdays. We also all work remotely in the month of August.

We are committed to the growth and development of our team members and offer many learning opportunities including an integrated onboarding program, best-in-class leadership programming, tuition reimbursement at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, industry on-site and off-site training, and other management/professional development programs. Corporate social responsibility is also important to us at PhRMA.

We are committed to supporting our family of professionals at PhRMA and strive to create programs that help our team members manage the challenges of balancing a fast-paced career with their own personal goals.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PhRMA provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment.

To apply, click on the link below:

PhRMA Job Postings