State Government Affairs Director- field-based CA, AZ, NV, HI, AK

Job Description Director State Government Affairs will be responsible for developing and implementing the company's state/regional government affairs and public policy strategy. This position will work closely with several functional areas, including patient advocacy, communications, policy, patient advocacy, medical affairs, and commercial, to lead the company's public policy efforts and advance our company's goals. Field-based position. Incumbent resides in the region (CA, AZ, NV, HI, AK) Key Responsibilities: • Developing, coordinating, and leading the company's state/regional public policy efforts; • Working collaboratively with communications, patient advocacy, policy, medical affairs, and marketing departments to ensure that state public policy goals are aligned to meet company objectives and most effectively serve the needs of patients; • Analyzing and monitoring legislation, regulations, and political activity relating to issues that may impact Vertex; Drives strategy and creates plans of actions to impact policy change; • Developing and maintaining high-level relationships with government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, external organizations, and stakeholders to achieve Vertex goals; • Collaborating with and facilitating advocacy coalitions for specific public policy goals, including rare disease awareness and Vertex's commercial and pipeline disease area policy issues; • Leads complex cross-functional initiatives that have impact across the team • Developing as necessary written analyses, testimony and background materials in support of Vertex objectives; • Leveraging pre-existing relationships as well as facilitating partnerships with additional community-based organizations and coalitions to reach public policy and company goals; • In partnership with cross-functional partners, integrating Vertex's public relations objectives with the state/regional public policy strategy and identifying additional opportunities to increase rare disease awareness and disease burden awareness, especially around Vertex's commercial and pipeline disease areas; • Managing contract lobbyists and overseeing compliance with state laws for lobbyist registration, reporting and political contributions; • Identifying and pursuing additional opportunities to advance our company's business objectives; • Fulfilling other duties/projects as assigned; • Exemplifying Vertex's core values in fulfilling these job duties. • Field Travel required 40-50% (Incumbent resides in the region California preferred) Minimum Qualifications • Minimum of seven to ten years current and relevant experience in state government affairs, state government or at a major trade association with significant direct lobbying experience; • Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with members of the legislature, administration and other government and community leaders; • Significant knowledge of state legislative and regulatory systems; • Demonstrated outstanding strategic planning, communication and presentation skills; • Bachelor's degree required (advanced degree preferred) in science, law, government or public policy; • Pharmaceutical or healthcare sector experience strongly preferred; • A high level of energy and passion toward patients, science and public health; • Proven teamwork and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to interact and influence all levels of business; • Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously and independently; • Demonstrated ability to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions; • Strong understanding of the legal and regulatory environment along with demonstrated integrity on the job; • A desire to work in the corporate culture of a highly innovative company aimed at redefining health and transforming lives with new medicines. #LI-NP1 Pay Range: $207,000 - $310,600 Disclosure Statement: The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law. At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more. Company Information Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com Help Us Achieve Our Mission Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency . Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X , LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. The diversity and authenticity of our people is part of what makes Vertex unique, and we recognize that each employee brings diverse perspectives and strengths. By embracing those strengths and celebrating differences, we are fostering an inclusive culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work, inspire innovation together, and change people's lives. Our vision is clear: to be the place where an authentic, diverse mix of talent want to come, to stay, and do their best work.