Location: Ridgefield, CT | Washington, D.C.
Date Posted: 08/08/2025
JOB ID – 25645
Description
The Executive Director, State Government Affairs, is responsible for building the strategy for and leading the State Government Relations Team in all aspects of external state policy and regulation as it relates to the US Pharma and Animal Health businesses. This role collaborates with other senior leaders and with the government affairs team to lead the development and execution of strategies and plans that advance state policies that increase patient access, realize animal health policy priorities, and preserve and strengthen biomedical innovation.
The Executive Director ensures management of the group’s budget and ensures the group is integrated into the business to ensure that the company’s interests are well represented among policy and regulatory stakeholders.
The ideal candidate for this role will possess strong leadership and management skills both in the direct management of a team of government relations professionals and by “leading through influence” and working with peers across the company. This senior leader’s role is a critical team member in the Public and Government Affairs and Corporate Affairs teams. The Executive Director is an important strategic partner to the company leadership team (including the Country Managing Director) on state government priorities across all business areas.
Lead and manage a team of State Government Affairs and Advocacy professionals located throughout the U.S. responsible for assessing the key policy issues in all states, particularly those where Boehringer has a direct footprint. Provide strategic counsel and specific direction to Boehringer leadership on how to influence government officials (Governors, state healthcare officials, and legislators) regarding complex and evolving state government legislation, regulations, and changes to government healthcare programs and programs impacting Boehringer’s operations overall.
The position requires strong management skills to spearhead and champion plans which enhance profitability through regulation, legislation, and government payment, and maximize coverage, access, and revenue for Boehringer products in government healthcare programs, while mitigating legislative threats. Influences Boehringer’s short and long-term strategic planning using insights about government. Strategic visionary and leader to the State Government Affairs and Advocacy team, to drive results for all businesses and US operations (tax, real estate, etc.).
As an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, you will actively contribute to the discovery, development and delivery of our products to our patients and customers. Our global presence provides opportunities for all employees to collaborate internationally, offering visibility and opportunity to directly contribute to the company’s success. We realize that our strength and competitive advantage lie with our people. We support our employees in a number of ways to foster a healthy working environment, meaningful work, mobility, networking and work-life balance. Our competitive compensation and benefit programs reflect Boehringer Ingelheim’s high regard for our employees.
This position offers a base salary typically between $250,000 and $325,000. The position may be eligible for a role-specific variable or performance-based bonus, relocation and other compensation elements.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead efforts to enhance Boehringer reputation with state government stakeholders that builds on our foundational core values; is a key member of Corporate Affairs leadership representing State and Advocacy issues and makes recommendations and implements senior leader engagement; develop strategies to mitigate, counter or leverage complex state legislative and regulatory proposals to align with Boehringer interests.
- Assess the impact of state legislation and regulation on Boehringer’s business.
- People leader to the State Government Affairs Team and Advocacy professionals located throughout the US to advance Boehringer strategies and action plans with state government stakeholders. Create a performance-based team environment and urgency for achieving results. Manage state consultants to support our work, reach, and deliver results.
- Engage with external trade associations (e.g., PhRMA, AHI) to represent Boehringer and obtain market insights. Advance Boehringer state policy positions and objectives within these groups and by leveraging industry efforts. Collaborate with advocacy groups, professional organizations, and coalitions regarding legislative and regulatory issues with aligned positions.
- Collaborate on developing strategies on state-level plans in alignment with our therapeutic area objectives and Animal Health business priorities to optimize revenue, enhance patient and customer use, and mitigate company risk.
- Advance Boehringer objectives and public policy positions with state legislative groups and advocates. Expand and nurture relationships with these groups to leverage our objectives.
- Build out Advocacy strategy across all businesses, acting as pull-through to lead all state Advocacy initiatives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.
- Law degree, Public Policy or MBA graduate degree preferred.
- Requires ten to twelve (10–12) years of domain experience, including at least five (5) years of leadership experience.
- Requires knowledge of government programs, BI therapies and pipeline, and how state government and advocacy works to achieve BI Government Affairs and business objectives.
- Requires advanced knowledge in state and federal government affairs and public policy, including lobbying and regulatory affairs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex and changing legislation, regulations, and the impact to BI.
- Influencing and persuasion skills to successfully advocate our positions externally.
- Analytical skills to understand key components of legislation and the potential effect on BI and the industry.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
- Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required).
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
Our Company
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.
Why Boehringer Ingelheim?
With us, you can develop your own path in a company with a culture that knows our differences are our strengths – and break new ground in the drive to make millions of lives better.
Here, your development is our priority. Supporting you to build a career as part of a workplace that is independent, authentic, and bold, while tackling challenging work in a respectful and friendly environment where everyone is valued and welcomed.
Alongside, you have access to programs and groups that ensure your health and wellbeing are looked after – as we make major investments to drive global accessibility to healthcare. By being part of a team that is constantly innovating, you’ll be helping to transform lives for generations.
Want to learn more? Visit https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/careers
Explore our total rewards here: Visit https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/careers/benefits-rewards
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to a person’s actual or perceived race, including natural hairstyles, hair texture and protective hairstyles; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; citizenship status; marital status; sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition); gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status); sexual orientation; disability; protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law; military service and veteran status; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing); or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.
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