Job Summary: This position is responsible for planning and directing a broad range of state-based programs executed by both the field-based State Government Affairs staff nationally and the Senior Director, in part, locally in New Jersey, to influence various external publics including the medical profession, constituencies within the executive branch of state government, legislators, state-policy makers, lay and professional media, consumers, and employees of the Company. The position contributes to a favorable environment for the Company's research, development, commercialization, products and supportive activities, absent undue legal and regulatory restrictions at the State level. This will be achieved through calculated, active implementation of lobbying strategies that advance positive legislation and/or regulations beneficial to the Company and counter proposals that are negative to the Company's business interests. As determined by the Executive Director, this position will also be directly responsible for carrying out designated, direct lobbying and associated government relations activities in the Company's home state of New Jersey.
Responsibilities: In this role, the incumbent is responsible for the selection, training, mentoring and direction of the field based staff members of the department's State Government Affairs section. Effective operation of the unit requires the incumbent to maintain a staff of skilled individuals who can effectively work with minimum supervision. The incumbent must know and understand major facets of the Company's operations in order to properly communicate policy views on a variety of issues within the department and to other internal units of the company. Although the incumbent is headquarters-based, the position requires calculated, ongoing, significant in-field presence with field based staff for the purpose of performance observation, training, sustained mentoring, and support. Additionally, under the direction of the Executive Director, the incumbent is responsible for planning an integrated set of lobbying and other advocacy programs that collectively maximize the Company's visibility and stature as a first tier resource on health related matters in arenas in which it operates. The incumbent, in collaboration with the Executive Director, is responsible for directing the accurate and effective representation of the Company and its products to a variety of external publics in the states, particularly DSI's home state of New Jersey. The personal, organizational and professional creditability of the incumbent will be critical when acting as spokesperson for the company, as authorized, when necessary to appear before governmental bodies on issues of concern to Daiichi Sankyo.
The incumbent, through his/her daily activities in managing the State Section, is responsible for identifying and communicating to other internal units of the Company (including the Sales, Managed Markets, and Medical Affairs departments) relevant social, political and economic trends and events; analyzing the nature of these forces; assessing their immediate and long-term impact on the Company; and, in consultation with the Executive Director, proposing relevant responsive policies and positions in support of the the Company's goals. This position shall ensure a constant, up-to-date flow of selective and targeted communication on legislative and policy developments, and threats and opportunities, to various business units (including groups within the Legal and Corporate Affairs Department) to plan appropriate responsive action and anticipate implementation of new legal and regulatory requirements as necessary. Through the field-based staff, the incumbent must ensure that the Company identifies and interacts with key state policy makers including legislators, health authorities, health policy advisors to governors, and a variety of private organizations, coalitions and disease related advocacy groups.
The position requires the incumbent to be registered as a legislative agent in New Jersey and in those other states where he/she is actively involved in carrying out any given lobbying objective. The incumbent is fully responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely filing of all necessary lobbying disclosure reports of him/herself and the entire State Government Affairs section, in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The incumbent, at the direction of the Executive Director, is responsible for representing the Company on relevant but selective state-related sections, task forces, committees and boards of PhRMA, HINJ, and other relevant associations and organizations. The incumbent is expected to be appointed Co-Director of the DSI Political Action Committee (PAC), and to work with the Executive Director and other department staff in implementing, carrying out, and working on traditional and creative functional PAC activities, educational programs, solicitations, and communication vehicles. At the direction of the Executive Director, he/she shall participate in the preparation and presentation of materials at the Issues Management Committee meetings, and shall ensure that State Government Affairs section members contribute to the preparation of substantive written material for Government Affairs Department communications vehicles, such as the department newsletter, possible other publications, website, etc.
Education/Experience: Qualified candidates must have a Bachelor's degree; however a graduate degree in Government Affairs, Public Policy or Law is preferred but not required. Candidates must possess 7 years or more of working in pharmaceutical industry or with primary concentration in industry policy/legislative issues. They must also have 7 years or more lobbying experience at the state level of government. 2+ years of experience as the legislative director or health policy advisor for a federal or state legislator or Governor's Office is preferred but not required. The incumbent must have 5 years or more experience managing others and must possess excellent knowledge of state legislative processes. You must have strong leadership and management skills, excellent political instinct and aptitude, strong political acumen and judgment, excellent organizational skills, negotiation skills, excellent computer skills, and be self-motivated. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills; be a persuasive written and oral communicator; have strong listening skills; be a conceptual thinker; have the ability to make timely, high quality decisions despite incomplete or contradictory information; have the personality and ability to develop relationships at all levels to gain support for recommendations while working to achieve solutions that benefit all parties. As a successful lobbyist, you should be able to handle disappointment and rejection while maintaining overall effectiveness.
Professional affiliation with the National Conference of State Legislatures preferred but not required.
Professional affiliation with industry trade associations including PhRMA, BIO, HINJ, etc. preferred but not required.
The incumbent is expected and must be able to engage in frequent overnight travel throughout the continental United States to carry out the above-referenced duties and responsibilities.
It is imperative that the incumbent demonstrate a proactive, energetic, time-sensitive, results driven approach in carrying out all management and other duties, obligations, and responsibilities.
Must be willing to travel 40% of the time.
How to apply: Please apply through our website at http://www.dsicareers.com/
SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 4/16/09
