Senior Director, State Government Affairs

Job description

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 Congressional office and/or with state legislators and Governors offices a plus. Demonstrated understanding and working knowledge of budgeting, budget management and projections for a government affairs function Effective written and oral communication skills required; experience in communications field a plus. Skilled in creating, preparing, reviewing and editing correspondence, reports, presentations and other assigned documents. Ability to influence and drive positive outcomes with Senior level Government officials & Stakeholders. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Ability to work independently, autonomously, proven ability to be self-directed, work with minimal supervision and accept responsibility. Ability to make sound judgments in reporting and interpreting data and information. Role will require travel up to 50% and is based out of the Washington D.C. market (office). Ferring + you At Ferring, we offer competitive total compensation along with an exceptional range of flexible benefits, personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work. From working hours that respect your lifestyle, a culture that is welcoming and equitable, and the chance to work with the industry’s most impressive people, these are just some of the ways we live our "People First" philosophy. Our Compensation and Benefits At Ferring, base salary is one part of our competitive total compensation and benefits package and is determined using a salary range. The base salary range for this role is $231,000 – $280,000, which is the reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount paid may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education and primary work location. Additional compensation for this role will be provided based on competitive annual incentive compensation targets in the form of an annual bonus - payouts are based on individual and company performance. Benefits for this role include: comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with a premium differential, inverse to base salary, to be paid by employees; a 401k plan and company match; short and long-term disability coverage; basic life insurance; wellness benefits; reimbursement for certain tuition expenses; sick time frontloaded yearly of 40 hours, or higher if state or local law requires; vacation time for full time employees to accrue between 112.5 and 150 hours yearly in the first four (4) years of employment, and additional accruals starting in the fifth (5th) year of employment; and 12 to 13 paid holidays per year. We are proud to offer 26 weeks of paid parental leave, learn more about the parental leave offering in our benefits package here . For roles that are not field-based, Ferring has a policy that allows employees to work up to two days from home and three at a Ferring site, weekly. Ferring is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local laws. Join our team and your voice will be heard, and your contributions will be valued. If you love to come up with new ways to make a positive difference and see them through, you will fit right in. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (including Disability/Protected Veterans). We maintain a drug-free workplace. Location: Ferring Washington