Director, State Government Affairs

Job description

The Director, State Government Affairs is a strategic leader and central partner to AbbVie’s Government Affairs team, responsible for developing and executing comprehensive lobbying and advocacy strategies that actively shape state legislative and regulatory environments in support of AbbVie’s business and policy objectives. With AbbVie’s global headquarters located in Illinois, this role will serve as the lead representative for AbbVie across the state, engaging state and local policymakers in the state capital of Springfield, Chicago, and communities throughout Illinois, including Lake County. The position will also be responsible for states across the Midwest region as assigned. This role anticipates and responds to state policy trends, collaborates with internal business partners and Government Affairs colleagues and works in collaboration with the Strategic Alliances leader and Policy teams to engage external national and state alliances to create a robust political and policy environment that fosters continued medical innovation, patient access, and AbbVie’s long-term success. Rigorous compliance with all state lobbying and campaign finance laws and regulations. Responsibilities Represent AbbVie’s Illinois headquarters and lead strategic business relationships and advancing enterprise priorities across key state and local governments, economic development and community stakeholders. This role will help shape and execute AbbVie’s state and local engagement strategy to support business objectives, strengthen AbbVie’s presence in Illinois, and foster an operating environment that enables long-term growth, innovation, and impact. Set 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 to determine where action is advisable, make recommendations on AbbVie’s approach, and manage internal expectations regarding legislative and regulatory impacts. Represent AbbVie in matters impacting the company, proactively evaluate legislation and regulations, and assess opportunities and threats to AbbVie’s interests. Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with state policymakers and regulators, including Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Attorneys Generals, State Legislatures and Local officials in the selected region and with external stakeholders to advance AbbVie’s state policy goals. Engage and partner with internal and external stakeholders to support AbbVie’s U.S. site selection initiatives. This includes evaluating site opportunities, coordinating regional engagement, and positioning AbbVie effectively with state and local economic development officials to enable future investment and expansion. 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 in partnership with state and local stakeholders to advance AbbVie’s goals across state capitals. Be a strategic business partner with cross-functional internal business stakeholders – including Federal Government Affairs, U.S. Policy & Analytics, Commercial, Legal, Market Access, Corporate Affairs and Regional and District managers ��� within position’s assigned region - to leverage state advocacy strategies. Engage with these key business stakeholders and partner with the Government Affairs Therapeutic Area Strategies team to understand commercial objectives in order to develop creative legislative, regulatory, policy, and political solutions tailored to the position’s region to drive business objectives. Represent AbbVie at state legislative and political events, including leading state trade association task forces and coalitions and drive trade association action on key issues of importance to AbbVie. 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, policy, lawmakers, and associations. Hire and manage outside consultants within region, including setting objectives, defining missions 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, ensuring AbbVie’s goals are met. Ensure rigorous lobbying and political giving compliance of all legally required registrations for the corporation, staff and outside counsel within the position’s region. Strong executive presence necessary to engage effectively with high-profile stakeholders such as elected officials, executives and a variety of external constituencies; including ability to influence and navigate political landscape. Eight to ten years’ experience in lobbying, public administration, political party activity, legislative staff work, or related experience. Experience in health care 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 GA strategies that include lobbying, association engagement, third party advocacy, media, and other Government Affairs tools that result in successful engagement of external groups and individuals. Strong analytical, critical thinking