Job Description
The Senior Director, State Government Affairs is the strategic leader for a robust state government affairs department and team. This position reports to the Vice President, Government Affairs and is a member of the Government Leadership Team (GALT). This individual is expected to establish Otsuka’s state policy agenda, particularly developing strategic goals, providing resource recommendations, helping to grow and leverage the Otsuka US Political Action Committee, and optimizing consultants/advisors as needed. This position focuses on planning, communicating, advocating, and executing a proactive national state government affairs strategy that advances Otsuka’s therapeutic and enterprise objectives consistent with the company’s mission. This position is experienced in strategically addressing actions by local/state government organizations that could negatively affect Otsuka’s business or patient interests that lead to either mitigation or defeat.
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with the VP, Government Affairs, and the GALT, to develop and evolve strategic direction for the State Government Affairs team, identify key issues, develop, and implement proactive plans that drive results on priority issues before state legislatures and regulatory agencies.
- Assess comprehensive and rigorous government affairs strategies fully account for legislative, executive, and regulatory options including direct advocacy and third-party engagement including creative policy approaches and opportunities to engage the patient community.
- Lead a team of state government affairs professionals in creating a favorable policy environment by positively impacting public policy, legislation and regulations affecting Otsuka’s interests in the following areas: Mental Health, Neurology, Immunology, Rare Disease, and emerging digital health.
- Maintain a national legislative and political monitoring system to provide internal stakeholders with concise and valuable intelligence relevant to the tactical goals of the business at a state level.
- Manage the preparation of relevant advocacy materials including one-pagers, testimony, et al to support state level activities.
- Collaborate as appropriate with Market Access Account Executives and Field Sales staff to implement a seamless cross U.S. Commercial state strategy that promotes Otsuka’s brands and/or issues and/or relationships.
- Participate with matrix teams and task forces, both with Otsuka business units and external organizations, to advocate Otsuka priorities.
- Ensure the team is influencing key industry trade associations to assure these organizations’ legislative and regulatory priorities align with Otsuka’s priorities.
- Responsible for identifying and establishing cross U.S. Commercial annual legislative and policy objectives in coordination with GA leadership.
Expectations
- Set clear expectations for direct reports aligned with organizational objectives.
- Share relevant information freely, seek collaboration and input where appropriate; Achieve results with and through others.
- Serve as an advocate for direct reports by providing appropriate coaching, mentoring and development.
- Reprioritize team objectives as needed; Support team members in achieving their individual objectives by communicating information and making decisions in a clear, timely manner.
- Develop key performance metrics for the entire state government affairs function to ensure they are consistent with the overall plans for the function and that these metrics promote cohesive and integrated planning within the State Advocacy, across Policy, Federal Gov’t Affairs and U.S. Commercial.
- Direct the preparation of the operating budget, focusing on driving value, improving quality, enhancing efficiency, and applying good stewardship to operating costs; Manages budget.
- Establish and maintains effective communication within the team and across the greater Gov’t Affairs / Public Policy Teams and U.S. Commercial.
- Demonstrate effective working relationships both within and outside of the team. Actively lead across the business matrix through partnership and collaboration.
Qualifications/Required
- Minimum 15 years’ relevant work experience.
- Bachelor's degree.
- Preferred: advanced degree in political science, health policy, law, business, health sciences or any other related field.
- Demonstrated ability to assess public policy issues and develop and implement comprehensive plans to both protect and advance the interests of the Company.
- Possess the executive presence and interpersonal skills to work effectively with the Company’s executives and others at all levels across the organization.
- Excellent verbal and written communicator with the ability to communicate complex policy and strategy concepts in a concise and persuasive manner; must be able to represent the Company effectively in a variety of situations with different constituencies.
- Skilled at advocacy, influence, and persuasion: able to convince others to act on information or recommendations based on compelling logic or common best interests.
- Politically savvy with established national relationships with policymakers, opinion leaders and others across the country, as well as in Washington, DC. Proven experience in successfully managing and motivating diverse and geographically remote teams.
- Understanding of the complex policy, political and regulatory implications of an entity that operates highly regulated businesses in many different jurisdictions.
- Independent thinker who can diplomatically and articulately present ideas that may be different from the prevailing or conventional views. Experience working with diverse coalitions and adeptness in developing and facilitating strategy across a network of internal and external partners.
- Strong work ethic with ability to handle a fast-paced, vigorous schedule; comfortable with shouldering and assessing risk.
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