Overview

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is seeking a Vice President for the Public Affairs team. The Vice President (VP) of Public Affairs will lead proactive public affairs activities on core priority issues and oversee the opinion research function that supports PhRMA’s communications and advocacy campaigns. This individual reports to the Chief Public Affairs Officer and serves as a member of the department leadership team helping to develop and execute the public affairs strategy for the association, including our most visible and highest-impact campaigns and initiatives. This individual needs to be a driven, public-facing, entrepreneurial leader who can lead big picture initiatives and best-in-class research, engage with senior-level stakeholders, manage multiple consulting teams and priorities simultaneously, and deliver in high-pressure situations.

The VP will:

Serve as a member of the department leadership team helping to craft the strategy for the Public Affairs department.
Oversee the development and execution of comprehensive public affairs campaigns on multiple industry issue priorities.
Lead PhRMA’s opinion research practice, including leading a team of staff, pollsters, agencies, and consultants to design, execute, and socialize original opinion research.
Oversee the development of impactful messaging and communications materials, including talking points and presentations.
Lead briefings and meetings with external stakeholders (e.g., Hill briefings, stakeholder meetings) and key internal audiences.
Lead and develop a team of public affairs professionals.
Manage budgets and oversee consultants who support issue-specific public affairs campaigns.
Serve as a point of contact for member companies, including presenting at meetings and on conference calls, sending regular communications, and providing strategic guidance to companies.
Serve as an on-the-record spokesperson on priority issues, as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Success Factors
PhRMA seeks a proactive, confident and action-oriented individual who is passionate about contributing to the health care challenges we face today. Key success factors for this role include a strong sense of team and collaborative focus. The preferred candidate will bring substantive health care communications expertise and be an organized, detail-oriented, self-starter with excellent writing skills and the ability to convey content in an audience-appropriate and compelling manner. Demonstrated consensus building, decision-making and interpersonal skills are essential. This is a highly visible, fast-paced position that is both internally and externally facing. Accordingly, the successful candidate should be adaptable, able to reprioritize and shift gears quickly, comfortable in a high-pressure environment and be politically savvy, diplomatic, responsive, and mature.

Professional Experience / Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree in Health Policy, Public Policy, Communications or related field preferred).
Minimum of 15 years of combined experience in political campaigns, issue advocacy, public affairs, media relations, public opinion research and related media and communications functions, including leadership roles.
Demonstrated experience in strategy development and execution.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
Strong leadership and consensus-building skills; a service mentality.
Experience managing large, public affairs advocacy campaigns.
Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state legislative and regulatory processes.
Experience within the health care industry, preferably in strategic communications and public affairs.
Strong expertise in earned and paid media, crisis communications, and rapid response.
Passionate about, and committed to, professional development and growth of team members.
Exceptional consensus-building, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
Adaptable and able to thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
Politically savvy, diplomatic, responsive, and mature, with a positive attitude.

Potential Salary

$275,000 - $330,000 per annum. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

Who we are
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are laser focused on developing innovative medicines that transform lives and create a healthier world. Together, we are fighting for solutions to ensure patients can access and afford medicines that prevent, treat and cure disease. Over the last decade, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $800 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, and they support nearly five million jobs in the United States.

Connect with PhRMA
For information on how innovative medicines save lives, please visit:
www.PhRMA.org
www.Innovation.org
www.MAT.org
www.Facebook.com/PhRMA
www.Twitter.com/PhRMA

What we offerIn addition to a highly competitive salary and bonus program, various opportunities for reward and recognition and a platform of extensive benefits, PhRMA is committed to the development and overall wellbeing of our team members. We offer traditional (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, life, AD&D, LTD, STD, LTC) and enhanced benefits such as parental leave, a well-being program, on-site fitness facility, back-up care, an employee assistance program, and pre-tax commuting benefits. We also offer a robust 401k plan with employer contributions upon the first day of hire and immediate vesting, a generous paid time off plan, -ten paid holidays (plus inauguration day), half day Fridays preceding holidays, half day Fridays in the summer months and a paid winter break. As an organization, we work together together in the office on Mondays through Thursdays and remotely on Fridays. We also work remotely in August.

We are committed to the growth and development of our team members and offer many learning opportunities including an integrated onboarding program, best-in-class leadership programming, tuition reimbursement, industry on-site and off-site training, and other management/professional development programs. Corporate social responsibility is also important to us at PhRMA. Our team members participate in community service activities, fundraising drives and charitable athletic events.

We are committed to supporting our family of professionals at PhRMA and strive to create programs that help our team members manage the challenges of balancing a fast-paced career with their own personal goals.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PhRMA provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

The job description contains an overview of the activities and duties for this role. Responsibilities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time.