Head of Government Affairs Position Available In Mercer, New Jersey

Job Description:

Sun is a leading specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated toimproving patient outcomes through innovative and high-qualityproducts. Our commitment to excellence and our focus on patientcare drive our mission to transform healthcare and deliver value toour stakeholders. At Sun Pharma we believe our people are aninvaluable asset. Our culturally diverse workforce is one of ourbiggest strengths, along with the rich experience they bring acrossvaried skill-sets. We are proud that our global workforce is boundby our common values: Humility. Integrity. Passion. Innovation.

JobSummary:

The Vice President, Government Sales & Government Affairswill lead the strategic direction, growth, and execution of thecompany’s government sales and contracting efforts, with adedicated focus on the generic pharmaceutical industry. Thisindividual will be responsible for establishing and expanding thecompany’s footprint in federal, state, and local governmentmarkets, including key agencies such as the Department of VeteransAffairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services (CMS), and other public health and procurementbodies. A critical aspect of this role is the integration ofgovernment affairs, lobbying, and advocacy strategy to supportfavorable policy environments that facilitate market access andprocurement. Experience working with DARPA (Defense AdvancedResearch Projects Agency) and strong existing contacts within DARPAwill be essential for success in this position, particularly tosupport research collaboration, innovation funding opportunities,and procurement strategy for novel and generic therapies.

Responsibilities:

Develop and execute the government sales andcontracting strategy for generic pharmaceuticals, aligned withpublic sector purchasing trends and procurement vehicles (e.g.,FSS, GSA Schedules). Identify and secure large-scale governmentcontracts, including proposal development, pricing negotiations,and ongoing contract management with agencies such as the VA, DoD,CMS, and state Medicaid programs. Build and maintain high-impactrelationships with government buyers, contracting officers, andhealthcare procurement executives. Collaborate closely withregulatory, compliance, and legal teams to navigate thecomplexities of federal and state pharmaceutical contracting rulesand regulations. Serve as the companys senior executive liaison forall lobbying and advocacy initiatives—develop and implementstrategies to advance the company’s government policy priorities.

Lead proactive policy engagement efforts with legislators,regulatory bodies, and industry coalitions to shape legislation andrules affecting the government purchase and reimbursement ofgenerics. Monitor and influence relevant legislation, regulations,and agency initiatives impacting pricing, access, and procurementof generic pharmaceuticals. Represent the company in public forumsincluding Congressional hearings, industry coalitions, and policyroundtables. Work cross-functionally with commercial, medical, andmarket access teams to develop value propositions tailored for thegovernment sector. Partner with external lobbyists and policyconsultants to execute advocacy strategies as needed. Administerthe company’s Political Action Committee (PAC), coordinatingfundraising and internal engagement. Lead, mentor, and scale ahigh-performance team focused on government sales and policyexecution. Provide senior leadership with regular updates andinsights on trends in government healthcare purchasing, legislativedevelopments, and contracting opportunities.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Policy, Health Economics, ora related field; MBA, MPA, or JD preferred 15 years of experiencein government sales, business development, or policy in thepharmaceutical industry, ideally with a strong background ingeneric drug contracting Proven success in securing and managingfederal and state pharmaceutical contracts, including pricing,compliance, and lifecycle management In-depth understanding ofgovernment procurement processes, drug pricing policy, public payerdynamics, and reimbursement mechanisms Minimum 5 years experiencein government affairs, including direct experience with lobbying,coalition-building, advocacy strategy, and legislative analysisExperience working with DARPA and established relationships withDARPA program managers or contacts in related defense innovationprograms Strong relationships with key government stakeholders,including legislative staff, executive agencies, and policyinfluencers Deep knowledge of CMS, VA, DoD, and Medicaid policiesrelevant to generic pharmaceuticals Ability to register as afederal and/or state lobbyist (if applicable) Experience managingor advising PACs, advocacy efforts, and third-party lobbying firmsHigh emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust acrosscommercial, legal, and policy teams Strong leadership,communication, and negotiation skills with a track record ofsuccessful team building Actual base compensation may vary based ona number of factors, including but not limited to geographicallocation and experience. In addition, this position is part of theAnnual Performance Bonus Plan, and may be eligible for the LongTerm Incentive Plan. Employees are eligible to participate inCompany employee benefit programs which include medical, dental andvision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k)savings plan; flexible spending accounts; and the employeeassistance program. Employees also receive various paid time offbenefits, including vacation time and sick time. The compensationand benefits described above are subject to the terms andconditions of any governing plans, policies, practices, agreements,or other materials or documents as in effect from time to time,including but not limited to terms and conditions regardingeligibility. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position”and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as wellas any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at anytime, including for reasons related to individual performance,Company, or individual department/team performance, and marketfactors.