Director, Advocacy Communications - Federal Public Policy

The Director, Advocacy Communications – Federal Public Policy will be responsible for media response and proactive media outreach on biopharmaceutical industry issues relating to healthcare public policy, specifically Medicare and Medicaid. Area of responsibility would include, but not limited to healthcare reform, deficit reduction, relevant Medicare and Medicaid activities, importation, and comparative effectiveness research (CER). The Director will work with PhRMA internal federal policy team to support the organization’s advocacy and legislative goals and priorities; create and implement communications strategies in support of these priorities; provide leadership in selected aspects of Social Media strategy by serving as a lead blogger; translate often complex issues into comprehensible messaging and materials for internal clients, the media and the public; provide support and intelligence to member companies upon request or as appropriate with regard to these specific issues.

• Responsible for media activities, messaging, and proactive media strategies focused on core federal priorities as they relate to health care reform, Medicare and Medicaid.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with reporters to facilitate quick and effective engagement.
• Serve as a lead blogger on the “Catalyst” portal of the organization’s website; link to other blogs and Twitter; seek out communications to wide-ranging audiences, including opportunities to influence biopharmaceutical sector industry critics.
• Prepare op-eds, talking points and other materials for senior executive leadership, monitor issues and coverage, prepare or provide input into special reports. Contribute to strategic communications efforts, including development and execution of awareness campaigns.

• BA in Communications, Public Relations or related field is required.
• 5 – 7 years of experience in the communications field with some of that time spent communicating issues related to Medicare and Medicaid.
• Public affairs, public relations agency experience is a plus.
• Proven experience executing and leading simultaneous public relations efforts.
• Demonstrated experience leading and executing proactive/reactive media relations campaigns involving complex regulatory and legal issues.
• Strong familiarity with biopharma and/or health policy issues and/or federal legislative process is required. Experience with and in-depth knowledge and understanding of Medicare and Medicaid issues is absolutely required. In-depth understanding of regulatory affairs/FDA issues is desired.
• Recent experience working directly with major top-tier and trade media – both traditional and digital is desired.
• Proven ability to write and edit a wide variety of external communications, including press releases, statements talking points, backgrounders, video scripts, etc.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively with people at all levels of an organization, from senior executives to researchers, policy analysts, lobbyists and others.
• Experience creating online content.
• Excellent attention to detail and editing skills.