Sr Manager External Affairs Southeast

Be a part of a revolutionary change


At PMI, we've chosen to do something incredible. We're totally transforming our business - and building our future on one clear purpose - to deliver a smoke-free future.


With huge change, comes huge opportunity. So, wherever you join us, you'll enjoy the freedom to dream up and deliver better, brighter solutions and the space to move your career forward in endlessly different directions.


External Affairs is a growing team, full of fresh opportunities. Our smoke-free transformation is completely changing the way we engage. We have stakeholders to talk to and brave new messages to share. We need talented people who are also excited by our sense of purpose to help expand our influence - on the media, legislators, health professionals, state level government and public policy-makers.


As our work evolves, there's space to define your role and satisfy your professional curiosity. You'll be working across functions surrounded and supported by experts in everything from fiscal affairs and illicit trade to sustainability and public health legislation. Join us and use your relationship-building skills for good to deliver a smoke-free future.


PMI is growing its state government affairs team and is looking for motived self-starters. This Sr Manger role will report to the Southeast Regional Director and be a key player in developing and implementing PMI's government relations and public policy strategies in key Southeast states to advance the company's long term business interests. This role will work cross-functionally throughout the company to manage a portfolio of key issues in the Southeast region at both the state and local level. The role will represent PMI to all elected officials and government agencies and regulatory bodies. Represent PMI with trade associations. Build, grow, participate in, and maintain diverse coalitions in support of policy issues and business priorities. Develop and creatively implement strategic plans often with limited traditional resources to advocate for business priorities. Build support with external and internal stakeholders.


This role will work collaboratively with relevant internal business, public relations, community foundation, and legal teams to ensure alignment between business priorities and public policy goals


Your 'day to day'

• Lead and own strategic relationships with key policymakers across Southeastern states, advancing PMI's long-term policy agenda

• Direct engagement strategies with senior government officials, including Governors, Attorneys General, and legislative leadership

• Synthesize legislative intelligence into strategic insights, advising senior leadership on risks, scenarios, and recommended actions

• Own end-to-end policy positioning, including development of white papers, executive briefings, and formal regulatory submissions

• Design and deploy integrated advocacy campaigns, including grassroots, third-party engagement, and coalition-building efforts

• Develop innovative, non-traditional strategies to influence policy and public debate aligned with smoke-free objectives

• Lead high-visibility external engagements, including stakeholder events, site visits, and scientific engagement forums

• Operate with full ownership of priorities, with limited administrative or transactional responsibilities

Who we're looking for

• Extensive experience in government affairs, public policy, or political strategy, with demonstrated impact on policy outcomes

• Proven ability to operate at senior stakeholder levels and influence decision-making

• Deep expertise in state policy environments and legislative processes, with ability to anticipate and shape outcomes

• Demonstrated ownership of complex, cross-functional initiatives

• Strong record in strategic stakeholder engagement and coalition-building

• Executive-level communication, negotiation, and influencing capability

• Ability to independently lead high-impact initiatives in ambiguous environments

• Willing to travel (50%) to support strategic stakeholder engagement

What we offer


Our success depends on our dedicated employees who come to work here every single day with a sense purpose and an appetite for progress. Join PMI and you too can

• Seize the freedom to define your future and ours. We'll empower you to take risks, experiment and explore.

• Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture, where everyone's contribution is respected; collaborate with some of the world's best people and feel like you belong.

• Pursue your ambitions and develop your skills with a global business - our staggering size and scale provides endless opportunities to progress.

• Take pride in delivering our promise to society to deliver a smoke-free future.

Annual Base Salary Range: $160,000-$200,000

What we offer

• We offer a competitive base salary, annual bonus (applicable based on level of position), great medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with a generous company match, incredible wellness benefits, commuter benefits, pet insurance, generous PTO, and much more!
• We have implemented Smart Work, a hybrid model of working that promotes flexibility in the workplace.
• Seize the freedom to define your future and ours. We'll empower you to take risks, experiment and explore.
• Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture where everyone's contribution is respected; Collaborate with some of the world's best people and feel like you belong.
• Pursue your ambitions and develop your skills with a global business - our staggering size and scale provides endless opportunities to progress.
• Take pride in delivering our promise to society: To improve the lives of millions of smokers.

PMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PMI is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., and its U.S. affiliates have more than 2,300 employees.

PMI has been an entirely separate company from Altria and Philip Morris USA since 2008. PMI's affiliates first entered the U.S. market following the company's acquisition of Swedish Match in late 2022. Philip Morris International and its U.S. affiliates are working to deliver a smoke-free future. Since 2008, PMI has invested $12.5 billion globally to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke with the goal of transitioning legal-age consumers who smoke to better alternatives. In 2022, PMI acquired Swedish Match - a leader in oral nicotine delivery - creating a global smoke-free champion led by the IQOS and ZYN brands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized versions of PMI's IQOS electronically heated tobacco devices and Swedish Match's General snus as Modified Risk Tobacco Products and renewal applications for these products are presently pending before the FDA. For more information, please visit and

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