Director, State Policy, US Policy & Government Affairs

Director, State Policy, Us Policy & Government Affairs

Working with Us Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren't words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You'll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.
Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.
The Director, State Policy is a key contributor within the U.S. Policy & Research team, responsible for helping to develop and execute Bristol Myers Squibb's state policy strategy across Medicaid, drug pricing, coverage and reimbursement, affordability initiatives, and CMMI demonstrations.
This role supports a proactive, coordinated approach to state policy development and implementation, working closely with internal and external partners to advance policies that improve patient access while supporting innovation. The Director will regularly engage with internal stakeholders across USPGA and partner closely with State and Local Government Affairs and Alliance Development teams on priority state issues.
The Director reports to the Senior Director, U.S. Policy & Research, State Policy and plays a critical role in translating complex state policy developments into clear, actionable insights for internal teams and leadership.
Key Responsibilities

State Policy Development & Execution
Support the development and execution of BMS's state policy agenda, including Medicaid reimbursement, state affordability proposals, prescription drug pricing initiatives, and other legislative and regulatory activity.
Track and analyze state legislative sessions, Medicaid waiver activity, regulatory actions, and state implementation of federal health policy reforms.
Identify emerging risks and opportunities in state policy and provide timely, policy-informed recommendations to internal stakeholders.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Policy, Legal, Market Access (MaX), Communications, and business partners to ensure alignment on state policy priorities and responses.
Provide state policy insights that inform brand planning, access strategy, contracting, and enterprise risk mitigation.
Contribute to development of briefing materials, impact assessments, and executive-ready summaries on priority state issues.
Support State and Local Government Affairs and Alliance teams with policy analysis and content for advocacy and coalition-building activities.
External Engagement
Support engagement with state Medicaid agencies, governors' offices, legislators, and regulatory bodies, in coordination with State and Local Government Affairs.
Build relationships with key national organizations and state-focused groups (e.g., NAMD, NCSL, NGA, state policy associations).
Contribute to state-focused policy discussions within trade associations such as PhRMA and BIO, helping ensure BMS perspectives are reflected.
Communication & Policy Enablement
Assist in developing policy briefs, talking points, and external-facing materials for engagement with state policymakers and partners.
Deliver clear, concise updates to internal stakeholders on evolving state policy developments and potential impacts.
Effectively articulate BMS's state policy positions in a clear, accessible manner for a bipartisan audience.
Team & Organizational Contribution
Collaborate with other members of the State Policy team to support shared goals and coverage across regions and policy issue areas.
Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team culture grounded in analytical rigor, enterprise thinking, and patient-focused values.
Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in public policy, public health, law, economics, political science, or related discipline.
812 years of experience in state healthcare policy, government affairs, Medicaid policy, reimbursement, or related fields.
Strong understanding of state Medicaid programs, drug pricing legislation, reimbursement mechanisms, and affordability initiatives.
Experience supporting policy development and advocacy across cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated ability to analyze state policy developments and communicate implications clearly.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing materials for senior leaders.
Demonstrated commitment to a patient-first mindset and adherence to BMS values.
Preferred

Advanced degree (MPH, JD, MPP, MBA, or related).
Experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, healthcare consulting, or a trade association.
Prior experience working with or supporting state government engagement efforts.