Associate Director, State Government Affairs, Midwest -- Vertex

Associate Director, State Government Affairs, Midwest (Michigan, Illinois or Ohio) Functional Area: General Business / Operations Location: Boston, Massachusetts AutoReqID: 6284BR Job Summary Position Responsibilities: In coordination with the Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, the Associate Director, State Government Affairs, will be responsible for developing and implementing the company’s state/regional government affairs and public policy strategy in states in the Midwest Region. This position will work closely with several functional areas, including communications, policy, medical affairs, and commercial, to lead the company’s regional public policy efforts and advance our company’s goals. Key Responsibilities: • Developing, coordinating, and leading the company’s state/regional public policy efforts in states within the Midwest Region • Working collaboratively with communications, policy, medical affairs, and marketing departments to ensure that state public policy goals are aligned to meet company objectives and most effectively serve the needs of patients • Analyzing and monitoring legislation, regulations, and political activity relating to issues that may impact Vertex • Developing and maintaining high-level relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders to achieve Vertex goals • Collaborating with and facilitating advocacy coalitions for specific public policy goals, including rare disease awareness and cystic fibrosis policy issues; • Developing as necessary written analyses, testimony and background materials in support of Vertex objectives • Leveraging pre-existing relationships as well as facilitating partnerships with additional community-based organizations and coalitions to reach public policy and company goals • In partnership with communications team, integrating Vertex’s public relations objectives with the state/regional public policy strategy and identifying additional PR opportunities to increase rare disease awareness and disease burden awareness, especially around cystic fibrosis • Managing contract lobbyists and overseeing compliance with state laws for lobbyist registration, reporting and political contributions; • Identifying and pursuing additional opportunities to advance our company’s business objectives • Fulfilling other duties/projects as assigned • Exemplifying Vertex’s core values in fulfilling these job duties Position Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications • Minimum of seven to ten years current and relevant experience in state government affairs in 1 or more states in the Midwest Region, state government or at a major trade association with significant direct lobbying experience • Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with members of the legislature, administration and other government and community leaders • Significant knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems • Demonstrated outstanding strategic planning, communication and presentation skills; • Significant travel within regional territory • Bachelor’s degree required (advanced degree preferred) in science, law, government or public policy • Pharmaceutical or healthcare sector experience strongly preferred; • 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; • Strong understanding of the legal and regulatory environment along with demonstrated integrity on the job • A desire to work in the corporate culture of a highly innovative company aimed at redefining health, and transforming lives with new medicines. Vertex is a global biotechnology company that aims to discover, develop and commercialize innovative medicines so people with serious diseases can lead better lives. In addition to our clinical development programs focused on cystic fibrosis, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs aimed at other serious and life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex today has research and development sites and commercial offices in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia.For four years in a row, Science magazine has named Vertex one of its Top Employers in the life sciences. For additional information and the latest updates from the company, please visit www.vrtx.com. Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Apply here: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGWEbHost/defaultlogin.aspx?SID=^bgNQVuNp1z64Be0A4xrBEjI_slp_rhc_xx/bFf03FOtbP_slp_rhc_L1NXbHS8YzMxCxJEa8qqgfVagK