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 rich in diversity. 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. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position: Director, State Government Affairs (California) 
USPGAPC Hiring Manager: Stephanie Dyson  

Position Summary  
The Director of State Government Affairs (SGA) is accountable for shaping health care policy to benefit patient access, affordability, and innovation. This position is responsible for serving as the primary representative of BMS to the assigned state legislatures, state executive branch and associated state agencies to generate awareness and support for the BMS public policy agenda. This SGA Director role is a field-based opportunity with responsibility for the state of California. The position is based in California and applicants must reside in California.  Reporting to the regional lead, the Director will establish legislative and policy objectives in coordination with USPGA leadership to ensure alignment with overall departmental goals, objectives and key corporate functions.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Educate state policymakers about BMS’ business interests and advocate for legislative solutions focused on patient affordability and access. Assist on issues as they arise related to BMS facility sites in California. 

• Help further USPGAPC’s goals and explore opportunities for BMS to collaborate and advance implementation of policies to ensure patient access to medicines.  

• Maximize opportunities to establish business connectivity and collaborate with the communications, local government affairs and alliance teams to ensure seamless coordination internally and externally.  

• Assess impact of proposed state legislation and regulation on the businesses within the BMS portfolio and propose and guide lobbying strategies and potential financial impact. 

• Manage local budgets and coordinate campaign contributions and memberships.  

• Work to leverage BMS memberships in business and industry trade groups. 

• Partner closely with multiple cross-functional teams to analyze access and payment policies proposed by government and commercial payers, including rules and guidance from state Medicaid agencies, state legislatures, and other relevant stakeholders. 

• Develop targeted engagements with key stakeholders at state legislatures and with the Governor’s office and other key agencies. 

• Demonstrate commitment to ensuring patient access to innovative medicines and the importance of a thriving biopharmaceutical industry.  

Qualifications & Experience 

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in lobbying, advocacy or state government service focused on healthcare and/or Medi-Cal issues in state government or relevant pharmaceutical/private sector experience. 

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. 

• Excellent verbal, analytical, written, and interpersonal communication skills, particularly in interpreting and distilling complex information. 

• Excellent organizational and project management skills. 

• Ability to maintain good working relationships, internally and externally. 

• Ability to work in a deadline-driven and fast-paced environment including managing multiple projects and working with team members in different time zones. 

• Experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including trade associations and large coalitions, and ability to proactively drive consensus. 

• Travel is required.  

The starting compensation fort his job is a range from $194,000--$244,000, plus incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility). The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills and the where the job is performed.

Final individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience.

For more on benefits, please visit our https://careers.bms.com/working-with-us Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our BMS Careers site may vary based on the job and location.

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in an inclusive culture, promoting diversity in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has a diverse occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.