Director, State Government Affairs (Sacramento, California based)

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Position Summary

The Director, State Government Affairs - California is accountable for shaping state health care policy to support patient access, affordability and innovation, while advancing BMS enterprise, commercial and USPGA priorities. The Director will serve as the primary BMS representative to the California Legislature, the Governor's Office, state agencies and relevant third-party organizations, with additional responsibility for Hawaii. The role will develop and execute comprehensive advocacy and government affairs strategies; build trusted relationships with policymakers and external stakeholders; assess legislative, regulatory, access and payment developments; and position BMS as a credible resource on policies affecting patients, the innovative biopharmaceutical industry and BMS operations in California.

Reporting to the West Regional Lead, the Director will establish state legislative and policy objectives in coordination with USPGA leadership and key corporate functions. Success requires strong California political and policy acumen, disciplined execution, cross-functional collaboration, executive presence and the ability to translate complex issues into clear strategies and messages for internal and external audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute California and Hawaii government affairs and advocacy strategies aligned with BMS enterprise, business and USPGA priorities.
• Influence state legislative, regulatory, access and payment policy by educating and engaging legislators, the Governor's Office, state agencies and other key decisionmakers on patient affordability and access.
• Build and sustain policy champions and trusted relationships across California government, including legislative leadership, relevant policy committees, regulatory and legal agencies and the Department of Health Care Services and Department of Managed Health Care.
• Position BMS as a credible resource for California policymakers by translating complex policy topics into clear messages and solutions.
• Assess the potential impact of proposed California and Hawaii legislation, regulations, ballot initiatives and administrative actions on patients and the BMS portfolio; recommend and guide lobbying, coalition and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Partner closely with internal policy, legal, market access, medical, commercial, corporate affairs, communications, alliance development, local government affairs and site leadership teams to ensure coordinated analysis, decision-making and execution.
• Identify and secure high-value opportunities for BMS executive engagement with California policymakers, administration officials, business leaders, patient advocates and other strategic partners.
• Represent BMS externally in high-profile settings, including legislative and regulatory proceedings, government meetings, industry forums, trade associations, business organizations and stakeholder coalitions.
• Provide government affairs support for BMS facilities, investments, workforce and economic-development interests in California, coordinating with site, local government affairs and corporate affairs partners as issues and opportunities arise.
• Analyze state Medicaid and other access and payment policies, including Medi-Cal legislation, regulations, budget actions, rules and guidance, in partnership with relevant cross-functional experts.
• Manage external consultants and contract lobbyists, ensuring clear objectives, effective performance, coordinated execution and compliance with applicable lobbying, ethics and campaign-finance requirements.
• Manage assigned budgets, political contributions and memberships with strong operational discipline, appropriate controls and alignment to strategic priorities.
• Demonstrate a patient-first mindset, sound judgment and strict adherence to BMS values and compliance expectations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in lobbying, advocacy, California state government service, health care policy, the biopharmaceutical industry or a closely related private-sector or association role.

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