Director, Corporate & State Government Affairs (NY, NJ, PA)

About the Role

In this regional leadership role covering the greater New York area, you will set the agenda for corporate reputation and state government affairs, translating strategy into visible outcomes across communities, payers, and policymakers. This role's primary focus is within New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey—we are seeking candidates that reside within that locality, with preference being New York state.

You will partner across commercial, market access, medical, legal, and corporate affairs teams to power enterprise priorities—enhancing visibility of our R&D footprint, accelerating early diagnosis initiatives, and ensuring our brands are accessible for all patients. This is a field-based leadership position with significant external engagement and cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a regional plan to enhance corporate reputation, increase community presence, and showcase innovative R&D sites; track outcomes through stakeholder engagement and visibility measures.
• Lead and deliver therapeutic flagship programs with multiple stakeholders, ensuring strong pull-through with commercial teams.
• Build and implement a regional community engagement strategy that strengthens partnerships and supports local health priorities.
• Serve as the registered lobbyist for the region; design and run state-based lobbying campaigns aligned to company priorities.
• Strategically integrate state policy within public and private payers to ensure AstraZeneca brands are accessible for all patients.
• Identify and lead opportunities to expand early diagnosis, working with public health officials, patient groups, and subject matter experts.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, governors, executive agencies, trade associations, think tanks, and third-party allies; act as an external leader with vision.
• Demonstrate leadership with national political organizations and committees to implement policy programming.
• Connect with experts, develop plans, and implement initiatives that advance sustainability and health equity interests.
• Participate in Political Action Committee grassroots solicitations and organize and attend fundraisers.
• Lead internal workstreams to assess corporate priorities and build positive community ecosystems.
• Collaborate to enhance corporate reputation through direct community engagement that supports US expansion initiatives.
• Provide leadership on local state-related public policy issues; serve as the resident expert on legislative matters and strategy.
• Ensure integration of state-related business objectives across commercial, market access, legal, sales, and marketing teams.
• Identify, analyze, and act on legislative and regulatory initiatives and emerging issues that impact the company.
• Develop and implement legislative and regulatory strategies that assist and achieve brand objectives.
• Allocate resources strategically; perform budget allocation and consultant evaluations; manage contract lobbyists and strategic alliance managers.
• Assist the Director of Political Programs with PAC education and recruitment, including internal speaking engagements.
• Liaison with Corporate Affairs partners to ensure strong links to corporate brand initiatives.
• Liaison with federal government affairs lobbyists on region-specific issues; employ state strategies to mitigate impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal mandates.
• Understand AstraZeneca’s business goals and priorities; build strategies to support them and act on emerging political issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Field-based role covering the greater New York area (New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey); preference for candidates residing in New York state.
• 6-8 years of experience in pharmaceutical or related industry.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and political processes.
• Strong internal stakeholder and alliance building capabilities.
• Amenable to lobbyists' travel/schedule, including late night, off-hour, and weekend responsibilities—up to 40% travel is required.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• 8+ years of experience in government, politics, or government affairs with a minimum of 6 years in the bio-pharmaceutical or related space.
• Experienced interpersonal communications; public speaking and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work on large public affairs projects aimed at enhancing corporate visibility with growth and expansion.
• Deep knowledge of the healthcare industry, especially with public and private payers, supply chains, and state/federal political influence on the pharmaceutical business.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across sales, market access, medical affairs, and various corporate affairs functions; comfortable in a highly matrixed organization.
• Highly proficient in standard business software applications.
• Demonstrated experience with ally development, public relations, and health care policy.

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, your policy leadership powers a global enterprise focused on delivering faster, smarter impact for patients. You will join a relationship-driven, globally connected community where unexpected teams get in the same room to unleash bold thinking, use data to make better decisions in real time, and take smart risks to reimagine how we work.

We invest in innovation and talent, value kindness alongside ambition, and align our efforts to meaningful outcomes—from accelerating access to medicines to advancing sustainability and health equity—so your contribution resonates across society and the planet.

AstraZeneca has been recognized as a Top Employer, including:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 12 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture