Location: Washington, DC
Date Posted: 07/21/2026
## About the Department
Novo Nordisk’s Market Access and Public Affairs team engages diverse stakeholders across political and healthcare landscapes to forge solutions that drive patient access to innovative products. We strive to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients with diabetes, obesity, growth hormone deficiencies, and rare bleeding disorders through mutual wins for both Novo Nordisk and our Market Access customers.
Our passion for helping people live better lives—and our award‑winning product pipeline—can only be as effective as our ability to provide information to healthcare providers, key stakeholders, and policymakers. Our Market Access and Public Affairs professionals ensure that the latest therapies and products reach the people who need them most by creating an environment where innovation and chronic disease management drive optimal health outcomes.
Are you ready to realize your potential?
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## The Position
The Director, Federal Affairs augments the Senior Director, Federal Affairs in all aspects of Novo Nordisk’s federal agenda focused on Congressional House Republicans, particularly strategic goals and resource recommendations related to the Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee, trade associations, consultants, and documentation and publication tools.
This role focuses on planning, communicating, advocating, and executing a proactive government affairs strategy that advances the mission and goals of Novo Nordisk’s enterprise strategy as it relates to federal legislation and policies. The Director will also work strategically to defeat or mitigate decisions or actions by the U.S. Congress and Administration that could affect our business or patients.
The position is accountable for relationships with a substantial portion of the U.S. Congress and political appointees within an Administration, including communicating, advocating, and executing Novo Nordisk’s policy positions. It proactively collaborates with internal partners on all aspects of federal legislative, grassroots, and Political Action Committee goals. It also serves as one of the company’s primary contacts and advocates responsible for developing strategic lobbying plans and promoting the company’s positions directly to Congress.
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## Relationships
This position reports to the Senior Director, Government Affairs. It interacts with many external parties, primarily members of the federal legislative branch—mainly House Republican leadership and Members of the health committees—political appointees of an Administration, contractors working for Novo Nordisk, and trade associations.
Internal interactions include colleagues in Princeton and Copenhagen, particularly senior staff involved in forming Novo Nordisk’s positions on public policy issues.
The role also engages with Congressional Republican stakeholders, including but not limited to: Republican Congressional office health staff in the House of Representatives, Chiefs of Staff, Legislative Directors, and other key congressional staff members; Committee staff of key House and Senate Committees; Leadership; NNI representatives; and others.
Additional interactions include Congressional Member organizations such as the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Republican Study Committee, House Freedom Caucus, Republican Main Street Partnership, House Republican Policy Committee, and the National Republican Congressional Committee.
The Director also works with external organizations involved in Government Affairs activities related to Novo Nordisk’s interests, including PhRMA, BIO, and other industry coalitions. The role serves as Team Leader in key areas and ensures successful application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and the Novo Nordisk Way.
This position is based in the Washington, D.C. office.
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## Essential Functions
– Develops and manages proactive strategies to mitigate risks and identify opportunities or policy goals of importance to the Company, supporting NNI business and patient legislative goals.
– Tracks federal legislation and regulation affecting NNI’s businesses and works with the policy team to understand impacts and NNI’s position.
– Coordinates with the Alliance Development team on cross‑functional projects involving outside organizations.
– Ensures that government officials, legislative committees, and other relevant parties are aware of Novo Nordisk’s position on public affairs issues.
– Initiates and cultivates relationships with federal policymakers and their staffs. Assists in developing materials and resources to support analysis of proposals and arguments regarding NNI policy positions.
– Develops and implements federal strategies to advance policy positions by working closely with the policy team and internal stakeholders to establish positions related to access to pipeline and marketed products.
– Participates in cross‑functional work teams—often in a leadership role—to stimulate collaboration and ensure progress toward legislative and regulatory objectives.
– Develops strategies and spearheads opportunities to help grow the Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee (PAC) and support NNI activities.
– Builds organizational alignment on key issues by informing and educating management and employees about external developments.
– Works strategically with Federal Government Affairs consultants by developing and managing proactive strategies to mitigate risks and identify opportunities created by federal legislation.
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## Physical Requirements
20–30% overnight travel required.
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## Qualifications
– Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
– 12+ years of combined experience in federal government affairs, Capitol Hill, Administration, or lobbying consulting firm experience required. An advanced degree may substitute for 2 years of experience.
– Minimum 6 years of direct federal government affairs experience in Capitol Hill, Administration, or Pharmaceutical industry.
– Demonstrated analytical skills to understand legislative components and their potential effect on NNI and the industry.
– Advanced knowledge of federal government affairs and public policy, including policy analysis and government relations.
– Strong planning, relationship‑building, cross‑functional team, and leadership skills.
– Demonstrated ability to proactively strategize to advance policy priorities.
– Proven ability to cultivate relationships with key associations/agencies, Congressional leaders, and political appointees.
– Ability to effectively deliver information, explain, advocate, and negotiate positions to a broad spectrum of individuals.
– Ability to work under tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
– Demonstrated career progression with increasing responsibility.
– Strong advocacy and communication skills.
– Pharmaceutical/healthcare industry experience and knowledge of diabetes and obesity preferred but not required.
– Previous experience working with relevant congressional committees preferred.
– Proven track record of effective strategic planning, execution, and follow‑up.
– Results‑focused mindset.
– Strong interpersonal and communication style with the ability to convey passion about Novo Nordisk’s public policy goals and generate enthusiasm among internal and external audiences.
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## Compensation
The base compensation range for this position is $187,100 to $327,500. Base compensation is determined based on multiple factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo Nordisk offers long‑term incentive compensation and/or company vehicles depending on position level and other factors.
Employees are also eligible to participate in Company benefit programs including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance, and auto/home insurance.
The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex‑able vacation policy, and parental leave policy.
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We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all job applicants.
At Novo Nordisk, we’re not chasing quick fixes—we’re creating lasting change for long‑term health. For over 100 years, we’ve been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our curiosity and inspires us to push boundaries in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we’re making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations.
When you join us, you become part of something bigger—a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.
Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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