Sr. Director, Congressional Affairs

Job Description

Reporting to the VP, Federal Government Affairs, the Director, Congressional Affairs will play an integral role in developing and implementing coordinated advocacy strategies, initiatives and engagements with federal policymakers around issues that impact the biopharmaceutical industry. Based in Washington, D.C., the Director of Congressional Affairs will be a member of the Government Affairs + Policy (GA+P) team and will work closely with State Government Affairs, Policy and Therapeutic Area leads (i.e., HIV, Liver, Oncology & Cell Therapy).

The Director will advocate for policies to ensure patients’ access to innovative therapies, with a strong emphasis on reimbursement and coverage issues in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. . Additional areas of advocacy may include intellectual property, public health programs, tax and trade. They will be responsible for working with the key federal committees of jurisdiction and member offices engaged on these issues.

They will also work to educate Members of Congress and staff about the challenges facing patients with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C and other liver related diseases, and cancer, as well as advance federal health policies that improve the treatment of these diseases. The position will play an integral role in helping Gilead build relationships with federal legislators.

Essential Duties and Job Functions:

• Work cross-functionally with legal, commercial, and public affairs colleagues to develop and execute advocacy strategies designed to advance Gilead’s legislative and regulatory priorities.
• Engage with key lawmakers and staff to monitor pending legislative activities and advocate for policies that advance Gilead’s strategic positions and initiatives.
• Draft advocacy materials that articulate rationales in support of policy positions and prepare oral and written materials for internal audiences that summarize legislative and regulatory activities in Washington and explain their potential impact upon Gilead.
• Partner with trade associations and coalitions representing biopharmaceutical industry, providers and patient advocates to advance policies that protect patients’ access to innovative medicines. Participate in committees, work groups and related activities to advocate for Gilead priorities and leverage the work of these groups to support Gilead’s advocacy goals.
• Demonstrate strong analytic and research skills, including a familiarity with legislative, regulatory and policy materials, as well as significant experience engaging in the health care policymaking process.
• Direct, supervise and manage contract lobbyists in support of Gilead’s advocacy efforts.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

• This position requires a self-starter and team-player able to exercise significant discretion and independent strategic discernment.
• Prior experience working as a Congressional staffer, preferably in a Senate Democratic office, on healthcare and related issues.
• Multiple years of experience working as a lobbyist that includes experience with strategy development and execution, or equivalent experience working with the legislative or executive branch.
• Experience working on FDA regulatory issues, Medicare and Medicaid coverage and reimbursement policies, the 340B program and intellectual property laws applicable to drugs and biologics.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities, including experience with the use of PowerPoint and related tools to make effective presentations.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with internal and external constituencies and work as part of a cross-functional team advocating on complex health policy issues.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with experience running multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Corporate experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries.
• BS or BA degree and 8 + years of prior experience in government, government affairs, public affairs or policy role. JD, MA, or MBA and minimum 5 years of relevant experience preferred.

Gilead Core Values:

· Integrity (Doing What’s Right),

· Inclusion (Encouraging Diversity),

· Teamwork (Working Together),

· Excellence (Being Your Best),

· Accountability (Taking Personal Responsibility).