Director, USA Hub Chief Political Office

Work Your Magic with us!

Start your next chapter and join EMD Serono.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That’s why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

Your Role

The Director will be an integral member of the Group Political Office USA team. They will have experience in corporate tax, trade, intellectual property, and/or chemical and environmental policy and regulation, as well as relationships with executive branch organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of the US Trade Representative, The Department of Commerce, and relevant Members of Congress and committees on Capitol Hill.

Reporting to the Head of the US Group Political Office, they will drive Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s policy and political priorities in the federal government realm by:

• Building and leveraging relationships with Members of Congress, administration officials, and other stakeholders influential in shaping the federal policy and political environment.
• Supporting Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany leadership engagement with federal government officials and other relevant stakeholders.
• Monitoring and apprising the company of relevant external developments and trends in the federal political environment.

Specifically, you will:

• Develop and execute an annual strategic plan to advance the company’s policy and political objectives in the federal government realm.
• Serve as primary day-to-day liaison with federal government officials and political stakeholders for federal issues within the scope of the Corporate and Government Relations USA portfolio.
• Serve as primary company representative for cross-sector trade association workstreams relating to federal government affairs.
• Monitor and apprise internal teams of developments in the federal realm with potential impact for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany businesses.
• Maintain network of relationships in federal political communities relevant to the Corporate and Government Relations USA portfolio.
• Cultivate and analyze intelligence relating to risks and opportunities in the external environment, and advise internal teams accordingly.
• Support senior leadership in multi-sectoral trade association participation and other external engagements, including preparation of briefing documents.
• Develop and execute an annual external engagement plan to build relationships between federal government officials and senior leadership.
• Propose and manage an annual budget to advance federal government affairs priorities.
• Work in close collaboration with the USA business sector specific colleagues to ensure optimal engagement with key external stakeholders.

Location

Washington, D.C., USA; Hybrid

Travel

<25%; International and Domestic. Main travel will be Domestic.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree or JD in public policy, government, law or a similar field is preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of Government Affairs experience in the USA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the federal legislative process and interplay with executive branch policymaking; experience with Trade and Tax Policy.
• Strong understanding of political context in which the pharmaceutical, life science, and/or performance materials industries operate.
• Experience leading or working with industry partners to advance common goals in the federal realm.
• Strong understanding of federal policy areas impacting the pharmaceutical, life science, and/or performance materials industries.
• Strong network of relationships in Congress, the executive branch, key industry trade associations, and other stakeholders that shape the federal political and policy environment.
• Ability to develop and execute tactical plans to advance policy goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make complex concepts conversational.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills; ability to consider and analyze a broad range of factors such as policies, practices and trends.
• Ability to multitask and work in fast-paced environment.
• Entrepreneurial nature; develops original and innovative solutions.
• Strategic thinker – including impact of policies and advocacy strategies.
• Team player; leads highly complex projects with functional and cross-functional teams.
• Operates comfortably across many different cultures, time zones, languages, political systems, and environments.
• Knowledge of legislative, regulatory, policy, and political processes.
• Good listening skills.
• Ability to foster collaborative decision making.
• Capable of working both independently and as a team member.

Pay Range for this position

$176,700 – $265,100

Our ranges are derived from several sources, and largely reliant on relevant industry market data. Should we decide to make an offer, we will consider several factors, including but not limited to your location, skills, experience, career level, and other job-related factors.

This role may offer the following benefits: medical, vision, and dental insurance; life insurance; disability insurance; a 401(k) matching program; paid time off; and paid holidays; among other employee benefits. This role may also be eligible for short-term or long-term incentive compensation, including, but not limited to, cash bonuses.

What we offer

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and believe that it drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace.

Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of our diverse team!