Director – State Public Affairs

OverviewPharmaceutical 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; andCollaborating with and providing support for internal and cross-departmental teams. Key success factorsPhRMA 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; andAbility 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; andMust 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.