Director, State Government Affairs

About the role

This role serves as AbbVie’s lead representative across Illinois, engaging state and local policymakers in Springfield, Chicago, and communities throughout the state, including Lake County. The Director, State Government Affairs will develop and execute lobbying and advocacy strategies to shape the state legislative and regulatory environment in support of AbbVie’s business and policy objectives.

Responsibilities

• Represent AbbVie’s Illinois headquarters and lead strategic business relationships with state and local government, economic development, and community stakeholders.
• Set and execute the lobbying and advocacy strategy to shape state legislative and regulatory activity, including direct engagement with policymakers, regulators, third-party groups, and coalitions.
• Assess the state political and public policy environment, make recommendations on AbbVie’s approach, and manage internal expectations regarding legislative and regulatory impacts.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with state policymakers and regulators, including Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Attorneys General, State Legislatures, and Local officials.
• Engage and partner with internal and external stakeholders to support AbbVie’s U.S. site selection initiatives, including evaluating site opportunities and positioning AbbVie with state and local economic development officials.
• Collaborate with the U.S. Strategic Alliances Director to provide state legislative and political expertise, supporting the development and execution of comprehensive policy advocacy strategies.
• Serve as a strategic business partner with cross-functional internal stakeholders (Federal Government Affairs, U.S. Policy & Analytics, Commercial, Legal, Market Access, Corporate Affairs, Regional and District managers) to develop tailored legislative, regulatory, policy, and political solutions.
• Represent AbbVie at state legislative and political events, lead state trade association task forces and coalitions, and drive trade association action on key issues.
• Develop engagement plans for key national groups affecting state policy and political initiatives; work closely with Federal Government Affairs to manage the intersection of state and national politics.
• Hire and manage outside consultants within the region, including setting objectives and ensuring execution in support of state legislative strategies.
• Develop and oversee the regional state government affairs budget to strategically allocate resources for state activities and initiatives.
• Ensure rigorous lobbying and political giving compliance with all legally required registrations for the corporation, staff, and outside counsel within the position’s region.

Qualifications

• Strong executive presence necessary to engage effectively with high-profile stakeholders such as elected officials, executives, and external constituencies; ability to influence and navigate the political landscape.
• Eight to ten years of experience in lobbying, public administration, political party activity, legislative staff work, or related experience; experience in the healthcare industry or other highly regulated industry is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to master complex policy and legislative issues, think creatively, and develop innovative strategies and solutions.
• Possesses thorough knowledge of major state health programs including Medicaid and state finance and appropriations processes, as well as a deep understanding of private healthcare marketplace dynamics such as insurance, drug benefit plans, and key payer strategies (e.g., PBMs, pharmacies, employers, consumers).
• Ability to act independently and demonstrate sound business judgment within the scope of broad guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement comprehensive Government Affairs strategies that include lobbying, association engagement, third-party advocacy, media, and other tools resulting in successful engagement of external groups and individuals.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills; ability to speak and write persuasively and with clarity; strong organizational skills; flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements; resourcefulness and creativity; strong attention to detail; proven track record of working under deadlines; ability to work collaboratively in a fluid organizational environment.
• Expertise in developing PowerPoint presentations for internal audiences, with a proven ability to translate complex policy issues into clear and engaging content for internal stakeholders.
• Works well in a team environment and enjoys a collegial, yet highly demanding culture while effectively collaborating with business leaders and other internal stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in related fields such as healthcare administration, political science, public administration, or policy; advanced degree preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications.
• Domestic travel (40 percent) required.

Key Stakeholders

• Internal: U.S. Area senior management, other members of the Government Affairs team across AbbVie, and other relevant cross-functional support functions.
• External: State officials including governors, legislators, staff, and third-party groups.