Director, U.S. Federal and State Health Policy and Access, Rare Disease

Director, U.S. Federal and State Health Policy and Access, Rare Disease

Washington, D.C

Alexion Corporate Affairs

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days a week from office

Ability to travel up to 25%

This role leads the development and execution of an integrated U.S. health policy strategy aligned with AstraZeneca enterprise priorities to support patient access, advance launch and lifecycle readiness, and enable long-term innovation for Alexion’s rare disease portfolio. The role is integral to the success of the U.S. Commercial organization. 

You'll sit at the intersection of health policy and regulatory policy, shaping federal and state environments to enable timely and appropriate patient access to innovative therapies, particularly for complex and next-generation treatments, including cell and gene therapies. 

What you'll do

U.S. Health Policy Strategy & Environment Shaping

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive U.S. federal and state health policy strategy aligned to Alexion’s rare disease portfolio and enterprise priorities. 

• Shape the external policy environment to support innovation, sustainability, and patient access for rare disease therapies. 

• Identify and address systemic policy barriers across diagnosis, referral pathways, treatment initiation, and care coordination. 

• Anticipate and influence policy needs for advanced and next-generation therapies, including cell and gene therapies. 

• Develop and maintain policy positions that support the long-term growth and sustainability of the rare disease ecosystem. 

• Lead and coordinate a “one team” Alexion view on policy, impacts, and strategies; serve as the primary Alexion representative in broader AstraZeneca working groups to ensure calibration and unified positions. 

Policy Integration with Access, Regulatory, and Lifecycle Strategy

• Serve as primary health policy partner to Market Access, ensuring federal and state policy considerations are integrated into brand and lifecycle planning. 

• Translate evolving policy and regulatory dynamics into strategic implications for coverage, reimbursement, and patient access, without direct ownership of access strategy execution. 

• Partner with Regulatory Affairs to ensure alignment between health policy strategy and regulatory policy priorities, translating regulatory developments into broader policy implications. 

• Support alignment on integrated policy approaches across FDA, CMS, and state regulators, while respecting functional ownership. 

• Provide policy input to support launch readiness and lifecycle planning, including identification of risks, opportunities, and mitigation strategies. 

External Engagement, Advocacy & Stakeholder Leadership

• Lead engagement with federal and state policymakers, regulators, and agencies (e.g., CMS, HHS, state Medicaid programs) to shape policies impacting rare disease. 

• Partner with Federal and State Government Affairs to drive coordinated advocacy strategies, legislative engagement, and policy campaigns. 

• Lead engagement with trade groups and policy coalitions, and partner with Patient Advocacy, Global Patient Experience, and Medical Affairs teams to support engagement with external stakeholders.. 

• Support policy approaches that enable provider readiness, diagnostic pathways, and coordinated care for rare disease patients. 

Strategic Insight, Evidence & Enterprise Alignment

• Identify key evidence gaps relevant to policy and access decision-making and partner cross-functionally to inform evidence generation priorities. 

• Leverage data, real-world evidence, and insights to support policy positioning and external engagement. 

• Provide actionable policy insights and recommendations to U.S. leadership to inform business strategy and decision-making. 

• Monitor and assess emerging policy trends, establishing early warning systems and scenario planning for key risks (e.g., IRA, Medicaid, 340B, PBM reforms, and utilization management). 

• Ensure alignment across Corporate Affairs, Market Access, Regulatory, Medical, and Commercial teams, supporting integrated enterprise positions. 

Essential for the role

• Bachelor’s degree
• 8+ years of experience in health policy or government affairs
• Pharmaceutical experience in a healthcare policy, reimbursement or market access or, payer experience (CMS, health plan, PBM), or related healthcare policy consulting, law or financial/actuarial firm. 

• Expertise in U.S. federal and state health policy affecting rare disease or specialty medicines. 

• Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, Marketplace, VA, DoD, 340B and Commercial programs and payer policies, reimbursement processes, and reimbursement coding inclusive of strategy development 

• Experience engaging external stakeholders and alliances. 

• Strong strategic, analytical, and communication skills (oral and written). 

Desirable for the role

• Advanced degree  (e.g., MBA. JD, MHA, MPH). 

• Strong knowledge of FDA regulatory frameworks and approval pathways (NDA, BLA, accelerated approval, priority review, REMS, labeling, post marketing commitments). 

• Experience working in a matrixed organization. 

• Experience partnering with Market Access and Regulatory Affairs. 

Office Working Requirements

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $166,324.00 - 249,486.00 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans. ​

#LI-Hybrid ​ 

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.