Director, Advocacy and Strategic Alliances, State - Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Staffing Advisors
Washington, DC · Posted October 10, 2026
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About the job
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) advocates for policies that protect America’s ability to lead the world in biopharmaceutical innovation while reducing costs so patients can get the medicines they need to live healthier lives. As Director, Advocacy and Strategic Alliances, you will help advance PhRMA’s policy agenda across a multi-state region by identifying stakeholders who can strengthen advocacy efforts, deploying the tactics and resources needed to mobilize support, building strategic alliances, and keeping campaigns moving as conditions change.
Reporting to the Deputy Vice President, Advocacy and Strategic Alliances, and working closely with State Advocacy colleagues, you will amplify local voices in support of key issues related to patient access and affordability and continued medical innovation. This is a highly relational and dynamic role in which you will work with a broad network of state-based partners, member companies, and internal colleagues to galvanize support. To be successful, you must bring sound political judgment and diplomacy, exceptional interpersonal skills, creativity and adaptability in frequent rapid-response situations, and the ability to synthesize, simplify, and communicate complex and controversial healthcare issues to diverse audiences.
How You’ll Make an Impact
Your work will build support for state policies that support economic growth and jobs in communities across the country, help patients and their families access treatments that improve their quality of life, and encourage innovation. Key responsibilities include:
Direct state-based alliances and third-party activities on statehouse issues across a 7-10 state region of the country.
Align with State Advocacy and deliver on legislative priorities, develop third-party and grassroots strategies, manage in-state consultants, oversee tactical executions, and report outcomes and results.
Cultivate and develop working relationships by collaborating with State Advocacy Regional Directors, state alliance consultants, state partners, member company state task forces, and internal PhRMA colleagues to support alliance efforts for PhRMA state priorities.
Lead short-term issue campaigns and partner activations on state issues, and communicate priorities, focus areas, progress, and results to colleagues, PhRMA management, and member companies.
Direct local events, including planning, cross-department coordination, consultant management, event implementation and reporting, budget management, and long-term strategy. Serve as a spokesperson for PhRMA at events with state and federal elected officials.
Execute team-wide efforts on key issues; represent the industry to third parties, deliver presentations on industry value, and lead both large and small group meetings as needed.
Manage and oversee the regional budget, covering consultant contracts, expenses, and third-party grants.
Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits
When not traveling throughout your assigned region (up to 50%), you can work a hybrid schedule with Monday–Thursday in the office and an optional remote day on Friday.
The budgeted salary range for this position is $110,500–$151,900 per annum. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
PhRMA offers a best-in-class benefits package with generous PTO, including 11 paid holidays, a week off between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and half-day Fridays through the summer. We provide comprehensive medical coverage with broadly inclusive healthcare benefits, dental and vision insurance, a well-being reimbursement, 401(k) with an automatic company contribution plus matching, tuition reimbursement, professional development opportunities, and more.
Qualifications
6+ years of experience in grassroots mobilization, coalition development, public affairs, or a related area, with a record of success in developing and managing strategic alliances to advance shared goals.
Experience managing people and teams, either direct reports or consultants.
Experience managing multiple projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
Experience managing budgets and allocating resources.
Demonstrated knowledge of state legislative processes.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build credibility with a range of stakeholders.
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, public affairs, or a related field is preferred.
About PhRMA
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are 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. PhRMA member companies have invested more than $900 billion in the search for new treatments and cures over the last decade, supporting nearly five million jobs in the United States.
Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.