Director – State Public Affairs

Overview

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is seeking a Director for its Public Affairs team to support its state advocacy communications activities and broader public affairs efforts. The individual will work across the Public Affairs team and the organization to develop, execute, and track public affairs, communications, and campaign strategies for key state advocacy priorities. 

These organization-wide priorities require a high degree of strategic acumen, organization, collaboration, communication, and subject matter expertise on issues relating to health care, prescription drug costs, the pharmaceutical supply chain, research and development, American innovation, and more. This position is both internally and externally facing.

The Director will oversee a defined region of states and be responsible for:

• Developing and executing public affairs strategies for the organization’s advocacy priorities; 
• Creating impactful messaging and communications materials, including media statements, press releases, presentations, talking points, blog posts, social media and other materials; 
• Serving as the on-the-record spokesperson, leading proactive and reactive media engagement; 
• Leading events in state capitals; 
• Understanding and communicating the legislative, political, advocacy and media dynamics in key states; 
• Overseeing agencies, consultants and digital advocacy programs;
• Leveraging emerging AI technologies; and
• Collaborating with and providing support for internal and cross-departmental teams. 

Key success factors

PhRMA seeks a strategic, proactive and collaborative leader who is passionate about influencing today’s health care debate and the challenges and opportunities facing the biopharmaceutical industry. Key success factors for this role include: 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a campaign mentality and a strong bias towards action; 
• Strategic thinker with the ability to assess complex problems, propose solutions and execute; 
• Creative problem solver able to prioritize or shift gears quickly and be comfortable in high-pressure environments and situations; 
• A keen understanding of state-level politics and policymaking; 
• Self-starter, organized, detail-oriented and responsive; 
• Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, vision and integrity; 
• Ability to plan, implement and manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet short non-negotiable timelines; and
• Ability to inspire confidence within the organization and with external constituencies.

Professional Experience/Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree; 
• 6+ years of diverse communications experience including significant on-the-record media engagement, event and public affairs management; 
• Proven management of complex issues, projects, tasks, requests and timelines; 
• State-focused experience within corporate, government, public relations agency, trade association and/or advocacy organization(s) or political campaigns; 
• Must be comfortable working for a non-partisan organization; and
• Must be willing to travel up to 30-40%, a majority of which will be based on state legislative calendars.

Potential Salary

$110,500 - $151,900 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 laser focused on developing innovative medicines that transform lives and create a healthier world. Together, we are fighting for solutions to ensure patients can access and afford medicines that prevent, treat and cure disease. Over the last decade, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $800 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, and they support nearly five million jobs in the United States.  

Connect with PhRMA
For information on how innovative medicines save lives, please visit:
www.PhRMA.org
www.Innovation.org
www.MAT.org
www.Facebook.com/PhRMA
www.Twitter.com/PhRMA    

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, on-site fitness facility, back-up care, an employee assistance program, and pre-tax 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, -ten 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 together in the office on Mondays through Thursdays and remotely on Fridays. We also work remotely in 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, industry on-site and off-site training, and other management/professional development programs.  Corporate social responsibility is also important to us at PhRMA. Our team members participate in community service activities, fundraising drives and charitable athletic events.  

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 nondiscrimination in employment. 

The job description contains an overview of the activities and duties for this role. Responsibilities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time.