Regional Lead, State Government Affairs (MN, IL, WI, MO)

Company: Novo Nordisk
Location: Chicago
Posted on: March 24, 2026

Job Description:

About the Department Novo Nordisk’s Market Access and Public Affairs team engages diverse stakeholders across political and healthcare landscapes to forge solutions that drive patient access to innovative products. We strive to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients with diabetes, obesity, growth hormone deficiencies and rare bleeding disorders through mutual wins for both Novo Nordisk and our Market Access customers. Our passion for helping people live better lives and our award-winning product pipeline can only be as effective as our ability to provide information to healthcare providers, key stakeholders and policymakers. Our Market Access and Public Affairs professionals ensure that the latest therapies and products reach the people who need them most, by creating an environment where innovation and chronic disease management drive optimal health outcomes. Are you ready to realize your potential? The Position The Regional Lead of State Government Affairs sits within the State Government Affairs Team. This individual is expected to participate comprehensively in Novo Nordisk's state policy agenda, particularly strategic goals, resource recommendations, leveraging of the Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee, and optimizing consultants. This position will focus on strategic planning, communicating, advocating, and executing on proactive state government affairs goals that advance Novo Nordisk's enterprise strategy as it relates to state legislation and policy. This position will also work strategically to defeat or mitigate actions by local state offices and organizations that could negatively affect our business and/or patients. The Regional Lead is accountable for relationships with state level appointees within an administration and state legislative policymakers. This position will proactively collaborate with internal partners on all aspects of state, alliance and policy goals. This position serves as one of the company's primary contacts/advocates responsible for developing strategic lobbying plans, as well as communicating and promoting the company's positions directly to state and local officials. Relationships Reports to the Director, Team Lead Government Affairs, State. External relationships include but are not limited to: Governors and staff, state Legislators and staff, Public Health officials, including the State Departments of Health, Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs, Medicaid, public employee benefit administrators, Insurance Commissioner and other state agencies. In collaboration with the Alliance Development team & Policy team, cultivates relationships with business, policy and political organizations, relevant to the geographic region and with local chapters of national patient advocacy organizations, BIO and business and trade groups. Works with various national and regional business, policy and political groups such as the Governors Associations, National Conference of State Legislators, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Council of State Governments and others. Manages the relationship with the state arms of major trade associations, BIO and PhRMA, and interacts, as necessary, with many other external parties, including physician and patient groups, state diabetes or obesity advocacy groups and other health-related coalitions, professional associations, vendors, consultants, contract lobbyists and customers, as necessary. Internal relationships include Legal, Compliance, Managed Markets Sales & Strategy, BioPharm, Medical, Institutional & DCS Sales. Collaborates with Market Access colleagues and may coordinate with Field Sales and other internal NNI stakeholders to implement state strategies that promote Novo Nordisk interests or relationships in the States and to support patient access to Novo Nordisk products in state funded health programs. May be required to develop new relationships and alliances to address multistate policy challenges. Essential Functions Develops and manages proactive and reactive strategies to mitigate risks and identify opportunities for policy goals of importance to the Company to achieve the success of NNI business goalsMonitors state policy and business environment for emerging issues that affect NNI products and/or business operationsIn consultation with the Team Lead, identifies and educates internal NNI stakeholders and, as necessary, creates NNI cross-functional working groups to keep all apprised of the status of the issues as they evolve, to assure that advocacy remains informed of current NNI business strategyAdvocates within assigned states with key government officials, legislative committees and other entities Novo Nordisk’s position on legislative or public policy initiatives of importance to the company and the patients who rely on NNI therapiesDevelops strategic plan for geographic region to provide advance insights into risks and opportunities to which NNI may need to respond and develop political intelligence to enable proactive strategic plans for responseTracks state legislation and regulation on NNI’s businesses and coordinates with policy team to understand impacts and NNI’s positionCoordinates with Alliance Development team on cross-functional projects involving outside organizationsEnsures that state government officials, state legislative committees, and other relevant parties are educated on Novo Nordisk’s position on public affairs issues of importance to the CompanyProactively initiates and cultivates relationships with state policymakers and their staffs on behalf of Novo NordiskParticipates in cross-functional work teams to stimulate effective collaboration and ensure progress toward Novo Nordisk legislative and regulatory objectivesDevelops strategies and spearheads opportunities to help grow Novo Nordisk Political Action Committee (PAC) and assist in the growth of NNI grassroots activitiesBuilds organizational alignment on key issues by informing and educating management and employees about external developmentsStrategically manage state government affairs contract lobbyists and/or consultantsAssures strict adherence to lobbying disclosure and other ethical requirements applicable to government relations activities within each state in which they engageMaintains beneficial relationships with patient, health care professional, and health advocacy groups, key government officials, legislative committees and other entities that define or influence state policy decisions affecting Novo Nordisk or the patients who rely on our therapies, consistent with and in coordination with the Alliance Development teamProvides input for memos, educational materials, and presentations, as necessary, for senior leadershipIn collaboration with other necessary internal NNI stakeholders, plans and executes events for state and local officials designed to increase awareness of Novo Nordisk and policy issues Physical Requirements 20-30% overnight travel required; Driver must maintain a valid driver’s license. Must be in good standing by not exceeding the Novo Nordisk points threshold assigned based on review of Motor Vehicle Records. Qualifications A Bachelor 's degree and a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in state legislative, government affairs, or lobbying consulting firm experience required. Advanced degree preferredMulti-State Lobbying experience a strong plusAdvanced knowledge of state government affairs and public policy, including policy analysis and government relationsStrong planning, relationship building, cross-functional team and leadership skills requiredDemonstrated ability to proactively strategize on how best to advance policy prioritiesAbility to effectively deliver information, and explain, advocate and negotiate positions and issues to a broad spectrum of individuals requiredAbility to work under tight deadlines, with little or no supervision requiredDemonstrated track record of strong advocacy and communications skillsDemonstrated analytical skills to understand key components of legislation and policyPharmaceutical/healthcare industry experience and knowledge of diabetes, obesity and the diabetes and obesity marketplaces preferred, but not requiredWork with external stakeholder groups or alliance development experience a plusExperience within the health insurance space a plusProven track record of effective strategic planning, execution and follow upResults-focused prior track record requiredStrong interpersonal and communications style with ability to convey passion about Novo Nordisk and our company 's public policy goals; ability to generate excitement and enthusiasm among internal and external audiencesTravel required, including to NNI’s Princeton or Washington DC offices We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today. Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations. If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Keywords: Novo Nordisk, Cicero , Regional Lead, State Government Affairs (MN, IL, WI, MO), PR / Public Relations , Chicago, Illinois