Director, Federal Government Affairs (Hybrid)

Job Description

ertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has multiple approved medicines that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF) — a rare, life-threatening genetic disease — and has several ongoing clinical and research programs in CF. Beyond CF, Vertex has a robust pipeline of investigational small molecule, cell and genetic therapies in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, pain, type 1 diabetes, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

General Summary:

The Federal Government Affairs Director will be an integral role in developing and implementing coordinated federal advocacy strategies with federal policy makers and officials on issues that impact Vertex.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for maintaining, cultivating, and engaging relationships, including with Members of Congress, their staff, and relevant Committee staff to create value-add opportunities that raise the company’s visibility in Washington, DC and promote Vertex’s interests in the public policy arena
• Works closely with colleagues in Public Affairs Department (Policy & Alliance Development, State Government Affairs & Grassroots, and Community Affairs) to advance Public Affairs and Corporate goals. This includes providing political and strategic legislative expertise on activities critical to achieving corporate objectives and serving on various internal work groups
• Monitors legislation and identifies substantive policy and political opportunities and risks to the company’s business, including policy solutions that address core therapeutic areas
• Ensures internal departments are kept informed on issues that could impact Vertex’s business and patients and works with the various departments to ensure the departments are fully leveraging the government affairs capabilities to advance Vertex’s mission
• Interacts with legislative consultants to ensure federal government affairs strategies are executed
• Engages industry trade associations and other partner organizations to promote alignment on priority company positions
• Serves as lobbyist on key issues including patient access, government coverage and reimbursement, intellectual property and regulatory incentives, tax, and regulatory approval processes
• Successfully Incumbent will have a deep understanding of Vertex’s medicines, technology, and the patients we serve and be able to communicate and translate them enthusiastically and appropriately to a variety of audiences
• Represents Vertex Political Action Committee at political events with Members of Congress

Knowledge and Skills:

• Substantive experience with the federal legislative process for healthcare policy and interplay with executive branch policymaking
• Strong understanding of the political context in which the biopharmaceutical industry operates; working understanding of policies fundamental to ensuring patients have access to the medicines of today and tomorrow
• Strong network of relationships in Congress and with key industry trade associations that shape the federal political and policy environment
• Excellent judgment to make decisions on complex business and healthcare policy issues, and act based on what is in the best interest of the company and patients
• Proven ability to forecast short and long-term implications of policy changes and political trends
• Experience managing a Political Action Committee or political activities a plus

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Typically requires 10 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience

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Company Information