Director, State Government Affairs

## The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA)

The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), located in Washington, DC, is the national organization helping members navigate regulations and innovations to ensure efficient and reliable delivery of medicines and healthcare products. They are seeking a Director of State Government Affairs. HDA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, generous 401(k) matching, and flexible hours. This position is open to applicants residing in CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, PA, RI, VA, and VT. DC Metro area employees work on a flexible hybrid schedule; all others work remotely.

## POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Vice President of State Government Affairs, the Director of State Government Affairs (SGA) advocates HDA member interests in assigned states. The Director is responsible for strategy development, direct lobbying, member relations, general advocacy, research, analysis, and reporting state legislative and regulatory activities in the assigned region.

## RESPONSIBILITIES

– Research, analyze, and monitor progress of priority legislation and regulation.
– Initiate and maintain contact with state legislative and regulatory staff directly concerning issues of interest to the prescription drug distribution industry.
– Provide the VP of SGA with regular updates on priority bills and rulemaking, and maintain consistent interaction with the SGA team and association membership (e.g., progress reports/conference calls).
– Maintain consistent presence for HDA in assigned states; testify and negotiate for HDA member interests on priority state legislative and regulatory initiatives; aim to continually expand and maintain key relationships and develop industry champions.
– Manage advocacy for HDA policy positions in assigned states including leadership/coordination of member company efforts to achieve optimal legislative and regulatory outcomes.
– Provide regular communications to members on state legislative and regulatory developments with thorough analysis (trajectory of bill, likelihood of enactment, potential impact to healthcare distribution industry, status of stakeholder positions, etc.).
– Work collaboratively with the SGA team, contracted state lobbyists, and other relevant consultants in the development of consensus-based association policies and positions on state legislative and regulatory affairs issues.
– Prepare issue briefs, testimony, proposals, letters, memos, and summary communications.
– Assist with the selection, management, and leveraging of state contract lobbyists, as applicable.
– Collaborate with the SGA team on special projects as needed such as issue‑specific policy initiatives, compiling reports and presentations to assist SGA team and HDA leadership in preparing for member committee meetings, conferences, and Board meetings.
– Attend meetings/conferences and make presentations for HDA and national public policy organizations representing state and local industry interests as appropriate/necessary (may include Democratic and Republican Legislative and Governor‑related organizations, National Conference of State Legislatures, National/Regional Boards of Pharmacy, and other appropriate legislative/regulatory conferences).
– Participate in weekly/bi‑monthly SGA staff conference calls and in‑person meetings, respectively.
– Manage and host assigned state‑specific calls as appropriate.
– Assist the VP of SGA with stewardship of HDA resources and overall state government affairs budget.
– Liaison with state and national pharmaceutical/pharmacy associations and relevant national public policy organizations.
– Perform other duties as assigned.

## SKILLS & ABILITIES

– Excellent written and oral communication skills
– Self‑starter with the ability to multi‑task numerous projects simultaneously
– Proven ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with colleagues, peers, membership, and other internal and external constituencies
– Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to develop and maintain strong internal/external relationships while advancing the association’s policy positions
– Dynamic and professional style that inspires confidence in direction and leadership to optimally impact legislative and regulatory activity
– Ability to work in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment that requires strategic thinking and ability to pivot to meet deadlines and achieve goals without sacrificing quality
– Ability to travel up to 30%, frequently during peak legislative sessions

## REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

– Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree preferred
– Seven years of progressively responsible experience
– Extensive understanding of the state legislative and regulatory processes
– Experience with state government affairs via a multi‑state lobbying role
– Experience conducting individual research and analyzing/summarizing complex issues
– Experience with pharmaceutical supply chain issues strongly preferred

## HOW TO APPLY

If you believe you meet the requirements, please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing samples highlighting legislative engagement to the following job link (or copy/paste link to a new window):

**Apply to HDA Director, State Government Affairs**

Salary: $145,000 – $160,000

Additional inquiries and questions can be emailed to Beth Cessna at **[email protected]** or contact **202‑232‑1765**.

## ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE DISTRIBUTION ALLIANCE (HDA)

The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) is the national organization representing primary pharmaceutical distributors — the vital link between the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, hospitals, long‑term care facilities, clinics, and others nationwide. HDA helps members navigate regulations and innovations to ensure efficient and reliable delivery of medicines and healthcare products. HDA reviews key priority issues and advocates on behalf of its pharmaceutical distributor members in areas like standards, public policies, and business processes.

HDA believes that diversity of background and perspective are strengths, and seeks to continue to grow a diverse, highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff. HDA encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

HDA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

## ABOUT CESSNA & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Cessna & Associates, LLC is a boutique HR consultancy partnering with mission‑driven organizations. Our goal is to identify the best potential candidates that the market has to offer.