Senior Director, State Government Affairs

About this role

Job Description: As a privately-owned, biopharmaceutical company, Ferring pioneers and delivers life-changing therapies that help people build families and live better lives. Our independence helps us cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit and long-term perspective that enables us to achieve growth and scale, while remaining agile and true to our ‘people first’ philosophy. Built on a 70-year plus commitment to science and research, Ferring is relentless in its pursuit of science that drives powerful discoveries and therapies to help people build families, stay healthy, and stand up to the world’s oldest enemy: disease.

The Senior Director, Government Affairs, State (Head) reports to Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy, and manages State Government Affairs and leads Ferring’s State Advocacy efforts. The Sr. Director, State Government Affairs is the lead and responsible for creating and sustaining relationships with state and local legislative offices. Both in Washington D.C. and in key states and districts, the Sr. Director identifies state policies that reflect and support Ferring’s strategy and growth agenda.

This role must strictly comply with federal and state lobbying registration and conduct requirements. As well as internal compliance and company policy requirements.

With Ferring, you will be joining a recognized leader, identified as one of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company , and honored by Fortune with inclusion on its “Change the World List,” for addressing society’s unmet needs. Ferring US is also Great Places to Work® Certified, distinguishing it as one of the best companies to work for in the country.

The Senior Director, Head of State Advocacy is responsible for developing and executing Ferring's state government affairs and advocacy strategy to advance business objectives, improve patient access, and support the company's public policy priorities. This role serves as the company's lead state advocacy expert and, where applicable, registered lobbyist, partnering across the organization and with external stakeholders to shape favorable legislative and regulatory outcomes. Key responsibilities include: • Develop and execute state advocacy strategies that align with Ferring's business objectives, patient access goals, and public policy priorities.

• Partner with business leaders, Government Affairs colleagues, and cross-functional teams to identify advocacy priorities and deliver coordinated policy strategies.

• Monitor, analyze, and communicate legislative and regulatory developments, providing strategic guidance on risks, opportunities, and business implications.

• Lead state-based advocacy campaigns and influence legislative, regulatory, and reimbursement environments that impact patients, healthcare providers, and Ferring's therapeutic areas.

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with policymakers, regulators, governors, legislators, congressional delegations, advocacy organizations, healthcare stakeholders, coalition partners, trade associations, medical societies, and patient groups.

• Represent Ferring's interests before state government officials, industry organizations, and external stakeholders while elevating the company's reputation and visibility on key public policy issues.

• Identify and advance policy opportunities while proactively addressing legislative and regulatory challenges affecting the business.

• Serve as Ferring's lead representative and policy subject matter expert on state government affairs issues, providing timely insights on emerging trends and policy developments.

• Support and guide lobbying and advocacy efforts through policy analysis, strategic recommendations, messaging, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building initiatives.

• Develop advocacy strategies that support product launches, market access objectives, and improved patient access and reimbursement outcomes.

• Prepare and deliver policy communications and advocacy materials, including briefing documents, legislative summaries, testimony, talking points, policy proposals, and stakeholder presentations.

• Prepare and support internal stakeholders for legislative meetings, hearings, formulary discussions, regulatory engagements, and other policy-related activities.

• Collaborate with public health organizations, academic institutions, patient advocates, prevention leaders, and community partners to advance public health objectives aligned with Ferring's mission.

• Lead the selection and management of external consultants, government relations firms, lobbying partners, and policy experts to support advocacy initiatives.

• Manage budgets, timelines, resources, and external partnerships to ensure effective execution of state advocacy priorities.

• Deliver actionable policy insights that inform business decisions, protect healthcare access, improve patient outcomes, and create enterprise value.

Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Law degree preferred.

• Major in Government Relations, Public Administration, Public Relations or Political Science, Legal Studies, or commensurate experience in these or related area is preferred. 

• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs / relations at the local, state or federal level required; direct experience with policy issues affecting the life sciences industry with internal pharmaceutical company experience a plus.

• Understanding of legislative processes, including policy and budget processes, required; deep understanding preferred.

• Expert skills in research, evaluating and interpreting complex information.

• Understanding of customer service and customer relations, problem solving and tools for use in conflict management.

• A track record of success experience in life sciences with patient and professional organizations a plus.

• Strong knowledge of policy development methodologies and procedures required, experience in a Congr

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