About This Role

The Public Policy & Government Affairs (PPGA) team is seeking a State and Local Government Affairs Lead - West. This indvidual will lead state and local government affairs work in our Western states territory (16 states, including CA, AZ, WA, OR and CO). This is a critical role at Biogen, shaping state policy to benefit patient access, affordability, and innovation. The ideal candidate will be detailed-oriented, possess strong relationship management and interpersonal skills, and bring a strong record of previous lobbying experience, including direct industry experience. This position will report to the Head of U.S. State & Local Government Affairs and will be based in a field location within the territory, preferably in Sacramento, CA or Denver, CO.

What You’ll Do

• Educate state policymakers about Biogen’s policy interests and advocate for policy solutions to protect innovation and promote patient access and affordability to innovative drug treatments
• Represent Biogen in industry and national non-partisan and partisan state government groups
• Represent the State and Local Government Affairs (SLGA) team on department and cross-functional workgroups
• Partner closely with multiple cross-functional teams to analyze access and affordability policies, including legislation, agency rules and guidance
• Manage state government affairs consultants in priority states
• Collaborate with Corporate Affairs to highlight Biogen’s corporate social responsibility work with state and local government stakeholders
• Anticipated state territory: CA, AZ, OR, WA, CO, AK, HI, NV, ID, UT, MT, WY, NM, ND, SD, NE

Who You Are

You will be self-motivated with an ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.  Success in this role ensures Biogen maintains its leadership advocating for pro-patient policies.

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred
• 7 + year successful track record of lobbying for complex policy issues, preferably in the healthcare sector 
• An in-depth knowledge of state legislative processes and the leverage points to influence state legislative and regulatory agendas
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with elected officials and their staffs as well as other government and non-governmental policy leaders
• Demonstrated commitment to ensuring patient access to innovative medicines and the importance of a thriving biopharmaceutical industry
• Excellent verbal, analytical, written, and interpersonal communication skills, particularly in interpreting and distilling complex information to share with internal business partners as well as external stakeholders
• Ability to maintain good working relationships, internally and externally
• Ability to travel as needed (anticipated approximately 30% - 40% travel)
• Driving is an essential duty of the job; candidates must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record according to Biogen policy to be considered

Preferred Skills

• Biopharma/life sciences industry experience
• Experience lobbying in the western region of the US
• Knowledge and understanding of healthcare product development and commercialization

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The base compensation range for this role is $176,600 – $264,900. Base salary is determined by a combination of factors including, but not limited to, job related years of relevant experience, internal equity, and location of the job. Additionally, this role is eligible for participation in Biogen’s LTI grants and other incentive programs. Biogen offers a full range of benefits that include medical, dental, life, long and short-term disability insurances, vacation, end-of-year shutdown, and 401K participation and matching contributions.

Why Biogen?

Our mission to find therapies for neurological and rare diseases is a unique focus within our industry and this shared purpose is what connects us as a team. We work together to overcome obstacles and to follow the science. We are resilient as we strive to make an impact on our patients’ lives and on changing the course of medicine. Together, we pioneer. Together, we thrive.

At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about our DE&I efforts.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.