Director Federal Government Affairs, Healthcare

Job Description

At Bayer, we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where “Health for all, Hunger for none” is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity, and sheer dedication—always learning from the unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities, and redefining “impossible.”

There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Director, Federal Government Affairs – Healthcare

Your Tasks and Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of this role, Director, Federal Government Affairs, Healthcare, are to:

Reporting to the Vice President of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability (PASS), the Director, Federal Government Affairs is accountable for managing Bayer’s interests in front of Congress, the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, and foreign embassies based in Washington, DC.

This role will be a key member of the team responsible for developing and executing strategies to protect our freedom to operate, promote future business growth, and advance our reputation with key stakeholders.

The core responsibility of this role is to engage with federal policymakers on behalf of Bayer. It will seek to educate and, moreover, execute legislative and regulatory strategies that will help Bayer achieve our business objectives across our consumer health and pharmaceutical businesses.

The Director also engages with key trade associations, industry groups, and NGOs to build and drive diverse coalitions that advance our business interests at the federal level of government.

In addition, the role must develop and maintain strong internal relationships with divisional business leads.

The role will serve as a key member of the federal government affairs team and will be responsible for:

• Managing Bayer’s government affairs activities in front of Congress and the Administration, including executive branch agencies like HHS and the FDA.
• Identifying and developing Bayer’s lobbying, political giving, and grassroots engagement strategies on federal legislation impacting our consumer health and pharmaceutical businesses.
• Monitoring and anticipating activities that could impact Bayer’s operations in the United States and developing plans to improve our corporate reputation.
• Representing Bayer before the highest levels of government by building strong, enduring relationships.
• Driving a focus on core policy and government affairs priorities in coordination with the VP of PASS.
• Maximizing the effectiveness of trade associations by making them aware of key Bayer priorities, their impact on our business, and the imperative to support them proactively in coordination with relevant divisions.
• Building diverse coalitions of associations, NGOs, and advocacy groups that broaden our support and effectiveness.
• Managing a significant nationwide network of political consultants.
• Providing oversight of the development, implementation, and monitoring of lobbying activities, including but not limited to:
  • Drafting issue briefs, white papers, and talking points on important issues to Bayer.
  • Drafting letters to state legislators and state government officials, as well as preparing testimony.
• Ensuring Bayer’s compliance with all ethics and lobbying laws.

Who You Are

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• Significant corporate and association experience is strongly desired.
• Extensive experience identifying challenges to current business and their growth drivers in the near and long term.
• A collaborative working style that creates buy-in and commitment from colleagues and key external stakeholders.
• Strong strategic planning skills and the ability to be forward-thinking and proactive on legislative, regulatory, and public policy issues.
• The ability to manage often competing business interests and develop plans that reflect the best interest of Bayer.
• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment where priorities and direction may change frequently.
• Proven ability to effectively interact with employees at all levels of the Bayer organization in all regions, including senior management.
• Professionalism and the ability to handle people and situations with tact, diplomacy, discretion, confidentiality, and a sense of urgency.
• Experience presenting before senior executives and policymakers on important legislative and policy issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills with impeccable ethics and a high level of integrity.
• Strong time management, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Ability to identify, manage, and develop talent.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and listening skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in government relations, including state and/or federal government experience or other relevant experience at a senior level.
• An advanced degree in law and/or public policy is helpful but not required.

Application Information

This posting will be available for application until at least March 14, 2025.

Your Application

Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs. If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity and want to impact our mission—Science for a Better Life—we encourage you to apply now.

Be part of something bigger. Be you. Be Bayer.

Important Notices

To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third-party resumes.

Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports Disabled and Veteran applicants.

Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to request any needed accommodation(s) using the contact information below.

Bayer is an E-Verify Employer.

Note: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Employers who violate this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.