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 remote Director of State Government Affairs to advocate for HDA member interests in assigned states. 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 position is remote, requiring up to 30% travel.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of State Government Affairs (SGA), the Director of State Government Affairs is responsible for strategy development, direct lobbying, member relations, general advocacy, research, analysis, and reporting of state legislative and regulatory activities in the assigned region. All initiatives and activities relate to association and member company interests. The Director oversees public affairs coordination and liaison work with applicable stakeholder organizations and is responsible for other duties as assigned by the Vice President.

Responsibilities

• Research, analyze, and monitor the progress of priority legislation and regulation; initiate and maintain direct contact with state legislative and regulatory staff concerning issues of interest to the prescription drug distribution industry; provide the VP of SGA with regular updates regarding priority bills and rulemaking; 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 through leadership/coordination of member company efforts to achieve optimal legislative and regulatory outcomes; provide regular communications to membership with thorough analysis of state legislative and regulatory developments (e.g., trajectory of bill, likelihood of enactment, potential impact on 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 by contributing to issue-specific policy initiatives and compiling reports and presentations to assist the SGA team and HDA leadership in preparing for member committee meetings, conferences, and board meetings.
• Attend meetings/conferences as appropriate/necessary and make presentations for HDA and national public policy organizations representing state and local industry interests, including the Council of State Governments, National Conference of State Legislatures, national/regional boards of pharmacy, and other appropriate legislative/regulatory conferences.
• Participate in weekly/bimonthly SGA staff conference calls and quarterly in-person meetings; manage and host assigned state-specific calls as appropriate.
• Assist the VP of SGA with stewardship of HDA resources and the overall state government affairs budget.
• Maintain frequent contact with the SGA team, member companies and their representatives, and contract state lobbyists.
• Serve as the liaison with state and national pharmaceutical/pharmacy associations and relevant national public policy organizations.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to use experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals
• Excellent written and oral communication and the ability to make effective presentations
• Self-starter with the ability to handle numerous projects simultaneously
• 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
• 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 in order to meet deadlines and achieve goals without sacrificing quality
• Ability to travel approximately 30%, frequently during peak legislative sessions

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible related work experience
• Extensive understanding of the state legislative and regulatory processes
• Experience with state government affairs in a multi-state lobbying role
• Experience conducting individual research and analyzing/summarizing complex issues

Preferred Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree
• Experience with pharmaceutical supply chain issues
• Understanding of the healthcare industry

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
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. www.cessnasearch.com

The Power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fuels Success

Cessna & Associates embraces and celebrates the strength that diversity brings to our organization. Just as we are deliberate in our own pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, our efforts support our clients’ DEI success. We drive every search with an unyielding focus to create an even playing field for all candidates and assess their ability to be “culture adds,” not merely “fits” for our clients. Our team builds and nurtures this rich tapestry of diversity for ourselves and for our clients.