Associate Director, State Government Affairs, West Coast

Location:  San Rafael, California Category: Legal / Government Affairs

Description

Who We Are

It takes a village, and at BioMarin our corporate groups are the people behind our success. Groups such as IT, Finance, Legal, Global Compliance & Ethics, and our People Team provide foundational support of all areas of operation at BioMarin.

SUMMARY:
BioMarin is hiring for an Associate Director, Government Affairs to manage state advocacy efforts in West Coast states. This position will be responsible for developing strategy and implementing the company’s state government affairs agenda in Western States. The candidate will be an integral part of a team that is responsible for ensuring a cohesive, effective government affairs strategy.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES: 
  • Represent BioMarin before state legislatures and state agencies.
  • Provide legislative direction and analysis to qualify and quantify the effects of state government legislation and initiatives on BioMarin’s business.  
  • Prepare monthly state legislative reports for internal distribution. 
  • Identify threats and opportunities with respect to state political or policy and legislative changes and provide strategic guidance to address. 
  • Based on threats and opportunities, engage with state legislators, administration staff and regulators to educate on the importance of biopharmaceutical innovation and pursue advocacy efforts to optimize patient access and BioMarin’s business objectives. 
  • Advocate for equitable access to portfolio in Medicaid. 
  • Work with aligned groups to advance state legislative and regulatory initiatives – groups will include industry stakeholders, patient advocacy organizations, medical provider societies and associations, consumer organizations, etc. 
  • Collaborate with several other functional areas, including Patient Advocacy, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Clinical Operations to lead the company’s regional efforts and advance company goals and objectives. 
  • Assist with other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to management of state association participation, advocacy organizations, and representation at key events. 
  • Direct contract political affairs firms in key states to ensure effective implementation of BioMarin’s strategic goals. 
  • Manage and adhere to corporate policies and practices. 
  • Manage compliance of state laws for lobbyist registration and reporting 
  • Assist with management of internal Government Affairs Committee activities, meetings, presentations.  
  • Ability to communicate and frame issues in a bipartisan fashion. 
  • Manage BioMarin Political Action Committee as applied including internal and external efforts. 
EXPERIENCE: 
  • 6-8 years of experience in political, government, and/or related healthcare business environments in positions of increasing responsibility
  • Legislative or state legislative work experience is a plus. Strong understanding of how politics, policy trends and the legislative/regulatory process could impact BioMarin’s strategic goals and the rare disease community
  • Significant knowledge of the state legislative and regulatory systems.
  • Thorough understanding of state budgeting processes and experiences
  • Demonstrated understanding of Medicaid system and differences in state operation. Preference given to those with knowledge of Medicaid pharmaceutical policy
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully develop and maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional colleagues and external stakeholders
  • Strong project-driven organizational skills along with excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated outstanding strategic planning and communication skills;
  • A high level of energy and passion toward patients, science and public health;
  • Proven teamwork and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to interact and influence all levels of business;
  • Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously and independently;
  • Demonstrated ability to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions;
  • A desire to work in a fast-paced corporate culture of a highly innovative company
  • Willingness and ability to travel throughout the US, 40-60% of the time, including evenings
TRAVEL: 40-60%
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree and/or professional degrees in law, public policy, political science, public health, project management or related field. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The employee may frequently be required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.