Director, State Government Affairs Northwest

Director, State Government Affairs

The Director, State Government Affairs is a strategic leader and central partner to Abb Vie's Government Affairs team, responsible for developing and executing comprehensive lobbying and advocacy strategies that actively shape state legislative and regulatory environments in support of Abb Vie's business and policy objectives. This role anticipates and responds to state policy trends, collaborates with internal business partners and Government Affairs colleagues and works in collaboration with the State Strategic Alliances and Local Government Affairs to engage external alliances to create a robust political and policy environment that fosters continued medical innovation, patient access, and Abb Vie's long-term success.

Rigorous compliance with all state lobbying and campaign finance laws and regulations.

Northwest region covers :
Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Wyoming

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with state policymakers and regulators, including Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Attorneys Generals and members of the state legislature in the selected region and with external stakeholders to advance Abb Vie's state policy goals.
• Develop and execute comprehensive lobbying and advocacy strategies to shape state legislative and regulatory activity, including direct engagement with policymakers, regulators, third-party groups, and coalitions. Assess the state and local political and public policy environment to determine where action is advisable, make recommendations on Abb Vie's approach, and manage internal expectations regarding legislative and regulatory impacts. Represent Abb Vie in matters impacting the company, proactively evaluate legislation and regulations, and assess opportunities and threats to Abb Vie's interests.
  
  Create and implement Government Affairs strategies to address issues, focusing on lobbying, third-party advocacy, policy development, and targeted media engagement to support Abb Vie's policy goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal business stakeholders including Commercial, Legal, Market Access, Corporate Affairs and Regional and District managers within position's assigned region - to leverage state advocacy strategies. Engage with these key business stakeholders and partner with GA Therapeutic Area Strategies team to understand commercial objectives in order to develop creative legislative, regulatory, policy, and political solutions tailored to the position's region to drive business objectives.
• Lead state trade association task forces and coalitions and drive trade association action on key issues of importance to Abb Vie. Develop engagement plans for key national groups affecting state policy and political initiatives (RGA, DGA, NCOIL, CSG, etc.). Work closely with Federal Government Affairs to manage the intersection of state and national politics, policy, lawmakers, and associations.
• Manage outside consultants within region, including setting objectives, defining missions and ensuring execution in support of state legislative strategies.
• Ensure rigorous lobbying and political giving compliance of all legally required registrations for the corporation, staff and outside counsel within the position's region.

• Bachelor's degree in related field such as health care administration, political science, public administration or policy required. Advance degree preferred.
• Eight to ten years' experience in lobbying, public administration, political party activity, legislative staff work, or related experience. Experience in health care industry or other highly regulated industry is preferred.
• Top tier executive presence necessary to engage effectively with high-profile stakeholders such as elected officials, executives and a variety of external constituencies; including ability to influence and navigate political landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to master complex policy and legislative issues, think creatively, and develop innovative strategies and solutions. Possesses thorough knowledge of major state health programs including Medicaid and state finance and appropriations processes, as well as a deep understanding of private healthcare marketplace dynamics such as insurance, drug benefit plans, and key payer strategies (e.g., PBMs, pharmacies, employers, consumers).
• Ability to act independently and demonstrate sound business judgment within the scope of broad guidelines. Demonstrated ability to create and implement comprehensive GA strategies that include lobbying, association engagement, third party advocacy, media, and other Government Affairs tools that result in successful engagement of external groups and individuals.
• Advanced analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, the ability to speak and write persuasively and with clarity, strong organizational skills, flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements, resourcefulness and creativity, strong…