Associate Director, State Government Affairs

Associate Director, State Government Affairs

Who we are:

At Agios, we are fueled by connections to transform rare diseases. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture – one that sparks bold thinking and strengthens our connections with each other and with the rare disease communities we serve. We embrace diverse backgrounds with respect, active listening, and a commitment to inclusion – because our differences shape how we hire, collaborate, and innovate. Our team’s proven track record of executional excellence, combined with our depth of expertise and dedication, enables us to develop innovative medicines that reflect the priorities of rare disease communities. Our commitment is more than scientific – it’s deeply personal, grounded in the meaningful connections we have built. To learn more, visit www.agios.com and follow Agios on LinkedIn and X.

The impact you will make:

Agios Pharmaceuticals is searching for a dynamic Associate Director, State Government Affairs to join our growing U.S. Government Affairs and Policy team. The Associate Director will be responsible for leading Agios’s government affairs and public policy priorities in select states. The Associate Director will lead Agios’s engagement on policies to support sickle cell disease and rare disease as well as other policy priorities, including Medicaid and drug pricing. The role will also collaborate with patient advocacy organizations, trade associations (such as BIO) and other stakeholders on policy issues.  

What you will do:

• Develop and drive strategy in priority states in alignment with enterprise and commercial objectives
• Lead advocacy campaigns to advance policy priorities
• Support public policy analysis efforts through issue identification, research, analysis, assessment and communication
• Work cross-functionally to identify and develop appropriate position statements and engagement strategies for issues of concern to the company and the patients we serve
• Build and maintain strong relationships with state lawmakers and regulators
• Serve as a liaison with trade associations, coalitions and partnerships that represent the biopharmaceutical industry and advocate for policies that seek to protect patients' access to innovative medicines. Participate in committees, work groups and related activities to advocate for company priorities
• Prioritize compliance with state requirements around lobbying, political giving and disclosure

What you bring:

• BS or BA degree (MA/MPA/JD preferred) and 7+years of prior experience in government, government affairs, or policy role
• Deep experience with state health policy and lobbying
• Strong analytic and research skills. Comprehensive understanding of legislation, regulation, and public policy impacting the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, as well as significant experience engaging in the health care policymaking process
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities, including experience with the use of PowerPoint and related tools to make effective presentations
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and work as part of a cross-functional team advocating on complex health policy issues
• Strong desire and willingness to work on diverse issues and initiatives, with a track record of adaptability and flexibility
• Corporate experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry

Concerned that you don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! At Agios, we value each other’s differences and recognize that teams thrive when everyone brings their unique experiences to the table. We are dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where all employees can bring their whole selves to work. If you’re excited about this role but your previous experience doesn’t align perfectly with the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another opening!

Work Location:

Location Specific – Field/Remote: This is a remote based field position. Employees in field roles must reside within their designated territory. Regular conversations with manager are encouraged to ensure alignment on in-person presence/expectations. Travel may be required commensurate to the above job description and/or to attend team meetings and other company events.

The ideal candidate will be located in the Washington, D.C. area or the eastern half of the United States. Travel to priority states and to attend meetings/events required.

What we will give you:

• Deliberate Development. Your professional growth as one of our top priorities.
• Flexibility. We’re all about individual needs. We embrace different perspectives, work styles, health and wellness approaches, care of families and productivity. When you’re at your best, we’re at our best.
• Premium benefits package. We invest in the health, well-being and security of our people with a premium benefits package that is well-rounded and flexible to help meet the varied personal and professional needs of every member of our team.
• Competitive and equitable performance-based compensation. This includes base salary and both short- and long-term incentives that are connected to our business strategy and vary based on individual and company performance.
  • The current base salary range for this position is expected to be between $153,541 and $230,312 annualized; final salary will be determined based on various factors including, but not limited to, years of relevant experience, job knowledge, skills and proficiency, degree/education, and internal comparators.
• Psychological safety. We support an environment of fearlessness. We want you to share your ideas, speak candidly and take data-informed risks to help push the boundaries.
• Commitment to diversity. We strive to foster a welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We’re continuously looking to improve the inclusivity of our workforce.
• Commitment to community. We’re an active participant in the communities that surround us – the communities where we live, and the community of people and their loved ones in need of better treatment options for conditions that are often overlooked.

Interested in learning more about what makes our culture unique? Visit the Inside Agios section of our website.