Merck & Co Hiring for Director, Animal Health State Public Policy and Government Relations (REMOTE) job in Lenexa Full Time

Job Description

Position Description:

Director, Animal Health State Public Policy and Government Relations

Our Company’s Animal Health is a diverse business, offering products, technology solutions and services for all animal species including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, aquaculture, horses and companion animals.

This role will have responsibility for managing company issues at the state level, including public policy initiatives for the business, leading engagement on regulatory and legislative processes, and working with stakeholders via direct relationships, coalitions, and trade associations. Issue areas covered may include but are not limited to animal health, one health and zoonoses, animal welfare, sustainability, animal traceability, biotechnology, precision agriculture, animal monitoring, and veterinary telehealth.

This role will have responsibility for leading the development and execution of public policy work as it relates to our Company’s Animal Health at the state-level within the United States.

Location – This position will be REMOTE

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for state relationships across the entire Company Animal Health North American business.
• Lead ongoing collaboration with our Company’s Animal Health North American business leaders and other internal teams to understand policy needs and opportunities that align with business strategies from a state perspective.-
• Manage and lead policy team in providing animal health-related guidance to U.S. State Government Affairs team, and including tracking of budget, timelines and deliverables for key state government affairs projects and affiliations with trade associations.
• Lead engagement with all U.S., Our Company’s Animal Health United States manufacturing, and R&D sites in coordination with the state government affairs team and other internal stakeholders.
• Develop and lead execution on proactive and reactive state engagement to support our Company’s Animal Health portfolio.
• Leverage a grassroots advocacy strategy to contribute to federal legislative and regulatory priorities.
• Develop collaborative relationships with stakeholders including trade associations, professional societies, customers and policy thought leaders.
• Participate in animal health, business, and technology trade associations.
• Manage political engagement and economic development organization engagement related to our Company’s Animal Health facilities
• Manage other related projects effectively and efficiently, including assist other team members as appropriate.
• Prepare and support the development of communications for several audience levels – peers, colleagues, customers, management, and senior executives (e.g. executive briefings)

Position Qualifications :

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in policy, regulatory affairs, or state legislative engagement
• Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, J.D., DVM) preferred, but not required

Required Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in policy, including knowledge of relevant regulatory and legislative frameworks
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills, especially in providing targeted, concise communication about complex and nuanced issues
• Demonstrated strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Experience working with corporate leadership and high-profile industry stakeholders as well as members of state legislatures and government
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional projects involving multiple workstreams and coordination of diverse input across the projects
• Ability to work under pressure and react quickly to changing situations
• Work independently up to 75% of time
• Able to take ownership of and drive projects forward to ensure timely completion
• Proven track record of prioritization, organization, time management, and ability to meet deadlines
• Willing to travel up to 50% time
• U.S. based

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Professional experience in animal health, agriculture or related industries policy issues preferred

•NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers’ Policy – Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

#EBRG

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). -Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

For more information about personal rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5,2023 our U.S. Hybrid work model will be as follows: 1. Three total days on site per week: Tuesday and Wednesday – plus one additional day of choice based on what works best for organizations and/or teams. 2. Fridays will formally be a remote-working day unless business critical tasks require onsite presence.

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Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully-
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. -No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.-

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid, Remote Work

Shift:
1st – Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Requisition ID:R251065