Director of 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. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to policy initiatives and make a positive impact on the healthcare distribution industry.

HDA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, generous 401(k) matching, and flexible hours. This is a full-time, remote opportunity and requires up to 30% travel.

Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President of State Government Affairs, the Director of State Government Affairs (SGA) advocates HDA member interests in their assigned states; assigned states or territory will be set based on the individual’s home location.

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. All initiatives and activities relate to association and member company interests and include additional duties as determined by the VP of SGA (e.g., liaison work with applicable stakeholder organizations, public affairs coordination).

Success in this position relies on experience and judgement as it relates to planning, executing, and accomplishing goals.

Responsibilities
▪ Research, analyze, and monitor the progress of priority legislation and regulations and initiate/maintain contact with state legislative and regulatory staff directly concerning issues of interest to the prescription drug distribution industry.
▪ Provide VP of SGA with regular updates on priority bills and rulemaking and maintain consistent interaction with HDA SGA team and association membership (e.g., progress reports/conference calls).
▪ Maintain HDA’s consistent presence 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 (i.e., 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 related 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 or the compilation of reports/presentations to assist the 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; these meetings and conferences may include the Council of State Governments, 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; manage and host assigned state specific calls as appropriate.
▪ Assist VP of SGA with stewardship of HDA resources and overall state government affairs budget.
▪ Maintain frequent contact and communication with member companies and their representatives, VP of SGA and SGA team members, and contract state lobbyists.
▪ Participate in onsite travel/meetings at HDA headquarters (to be adjusted as necessary).
▪ Act as the liaison with state and national pharmaceutical/pharmacy associations and relevant national public policy organizations.
▪ Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities
▪ Excellent written and oral communication skills
▪ Self-starter who is capable of multi-tasking numerous projects simultaneously
▪ Proven ability to work independently, as well as 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
▪ Ability to exhibit a dynamic and professional style that inspires confidence in the organization’s direction and leadership to optimally impact legislative and regulatory activity
▪ Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment that requires strategic thinking
▪ Ability to pivot to meet deadlines and achieve goals without sacrificing quality
▪ Ability to travel up to 30%, including frequent travel during peak legislative sessions

Required Education and/or Experience
▪ Bachelor’s degree
▪ Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience with an extensive understanding of 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

Preferred Education and/or Experience
▪ Advanced degree preferred (e.g. MPA/MPP)
▪ Experience with pharmaceutical supply chain issues
▪ Understanding of the healthcare industry

Resumes can be submitted to the job link here: Apply to HDA Director, State Government Affairs or emailed to [email protected].

New hires are brought into the organization at an annual salary between $130,160 – $150,000 for this role, depending on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

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

About 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 has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Virginia for nine years. HDA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

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