Vice President, Government Affairs

MindMed is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel product candidates to treat brain health disorders. Our mission is to be the global leader in the development and delivery of treatments that unlock new opportunities to improve patient outcomes. We are developing a pipeline of innovative product candidates, with and without acute perceptual effects, targeting neurotransmitter pathways that play key roles in brain health.   

Founded in 2019, we are continuously expanding our presence and global footprint. We are constantly searching for high-impact individuals in various clinical, technical and business operations domains to strengthen our team of patient-centric, intelligent individuals.

The Vice President of Government Affairs and Alliance Development directs a comprehensive proactive government affairs and alliance development strategy and represents the company in governmental and regulatory affairs matters at the federal, state, and local levels. Coordinates and represents the appropriate promotion of the strategic policy or advocacy objectives before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, policymakers, and other stakeholders, including trade associations and industry allies. Broadens MindMed’s Washington presence and builds support for the company's mission and interests. The role requires a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of the U.S. and state government landscape and a proven track record in corporate government relations. This role advises MindMed leadership on the impact of potential legislative changes and is responsible for developing and executing MindMed’s policies and strategies for responding to those changes.

Responsibilities:

• Works collaboratively with commercial, marketing, medical affairs, corporate communications, legal, and finance to ensure alignment, and establish fully integrated and strategic government affairs and alliance development plans to advance company objectives
• Monitors federal legislation and policy activities, updating and advising on relevant policy proposals and actions, and working with cross-functional teams to analyze potential impacts on the Company
• Builds and cultivates relationships with key Congressional offices and committees to support company priorities
• Coordinates with external partners and trade organizations to manage state government affairs priorities, campaigns and issues
• Manages coordination and interfaces with key legislative consultants, advocacy groups, think tanks, foundations, and associations
• Leads patient advocacy and industry relations in support of MindMed’s overall business strategy
• Serves as a key senior spokesperson for the organization on a variety of high-profile topics including pricing/access, scientific data, regulatory milestones, disease state education and guidelines, and policy initiatives with external groups. Mitigate areas of risk by monitoring key issues and trends, develop strategies to protect and enhance company reputation. Prioritizes key issues and allocates resources appropriately, showing judgment in context to bias to act vs. engaged monitoring
• Monitors competitive activity and identifies stakeholder needs
• Ensures cross-functional collaboration with medical, commercial, market access, and other key stakeholders to optimally manage relationships to ensure alignment and effective execution of patient advocacy and medical society strategy
• Incorporates patient-centric strategic insights to support drug development from Phase II-III/submission through launch and the remainder of product life cycles
• Establishs a positive, credible and influential presence with key trade associations, as well as national public policy and legislative groups and other relevant stakeholder organizations. Builds support for MindMed’s advocacy agenda with federal policymakers and regulators
• Updates the organization on policy developments. Drafts presentations, policy papers, speeches, and briefing documents for senior executives and other internal stakeholders. Delivers quarterly business reviews of the function to the executive committee
• Ensures department’s adherence to company policies and quality system requirements, as well as other legal and regulatory directives

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field; master’s degree preferred. 15+ years of experience in federal government affairs for a health care corporation or trade association, on Congressional staff, or in a relevant federal agency. Lobbying and health care policy background (Hill, federal agency, or with corporate/trade association’s federal government affairs office).  Proven ability to plan and execute a comprehensive, proactive federal government affairs strategy that advances the Company’s mission and goals with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials.

Must Possess:

• Hands-on, entrepreneurial professional with a demonstrated ability to "see around corners" and anticipate both opportunities and challenges in the current U.S. healthcare environment, including Medicare/Medicaid programs
• Exhibits a proactive mindset by anticipating and positioning MindMed to respond to changing legislative/regulatory challenges and capitalizing on potential opportunities while responding to ongoing threats and challenges
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders, trade associations, and other parties as required
• Working knowledge of general U.S. government affairs compliance, including lobbying disclosure and LD-203 requirements and supportive processes
• Demonstrated ability and success in developing and executing strategy through expert understanding of the market and industry
• Strong executive presence, communication, and influencing skills
• Skilled writer and communicator who can vary levels of messaging based on audience
• Results-oriented, self-starter with demonstrated ability to distill complex issues into concise talking points, position papers, and slides; attention to detail; ability to multi-task; team player, with an ability to work independently in a fast-paced, demanding environment
  • Demonstrated analytical abilities and proficient planning and negotiation skills. Ability to travel approximately 30% of the time domestically