Head, State Policy

Summary

The Head of State Policy leads the development of forward-looking state policy strategies that advance patient access and pharmaceutical innovation while supporting Novartis business priorities. This leader manages the State Policy team, including the Associate Director, State Policy & Predictive Insights, and translates emerging legislative, regulatory and political trends into clear enterprise positions, advocacy strategies and actionable guidance. The role brings an enterprise mindset, connecting state policy priorities to broader US and global objectives, and partners across US Public Affairs and the US business to anticipate risk, identify opportunities and strengthen Novartis impact in priority states.

The Head of State Policy leads the development of forward-looking state policy strategies that advance patient access and pharmaceutical innovation while supporting Novartis business priorities. This leader manages the State Policy team, including the Associate Director, State Policy & Predictive Insights, and translates emerging legislative, regulatory and political trends into clear enterprise positions, advocacy strategies and actionable guidance. The role brings an enterprise mindset, connecting state policy priorities to broader US and global objectives, and partners across US Public Affairs and the US business to anticipate risk, identify opportunities and strengthen Novartis impact in priority states.

Novartis will not sponsor visas for this position. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you. This role is required to be in our Washington DC or East Hanover, NJ office.

• Lead the development and alignment of Novartis positions on priority state policy issues affecting patient access, affordability, pharmaceutical innovation and the US business.
• Manage, coach and develop the State Policy team, including one direct report, and foster curiosity, responsible experimentation and continuous learning in the use of AI-enabled ways of working.
• Direct predictive policy analysis and external research to identify three-to-five-year trends, emerging risks and opportunities across priority states.
• Partner with State Government Affairs leaders to translate policy positions into advocacy strategies, messages, tools and resources for priority state engagements.
• Connect insights, capabilities and stakeholders across US Public Affairs and the US business to accelerate learning and enable consistent enterprise positions.
• Represent Novartis in key trade associations and coalitions, including PhRMA and BIO, to shape industry policy positions and external strategies on priority issues.
• Oversee development of executive-ready briefings, policy materials and educational resources on topics such as drug pricing, 340B and patient access.
• Establish clear objectives and measures of impact for the State Policy function, manage external resources and ensure effective knowledge sharing across US Public Affairs.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, law, public health, business or related field preferred.
• Significant professional experience in state health policy, government affairs or public policy, with experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector, a trade association, consulting or government.
• Demonstrated people-management experience, including setting direction, developing talent and leading through influence in a matrixed organization.
• Proven ability to develop policy strategy, synthesize complex information and translate analysis into practical advocacy recommendations.
• Demonstrated fluency with AI tools, including the ability to select…