[Hiring] Manager Federal States Policy & Governmental Affairs @MSD

Role Description

As the Manager (m/f/d) Federal States Policy & Governmental Affairs, you will drive our government affairs engagement at federal states (Länder) level across Germany. Reporting to the Associate Director, you will be responsible for executing federal states strategies, building relationships with key political stakeholders, and delivering high-quality political intelligence.

Your responsibilities include:

• Own Federal States segmentation and prioritisation based on political relevance, policy impact, company footprint, and strategic objectives.
• Serve as primary relationship owner for 1–2 priority federal states, engaging directly with State Ministers, State Secretaries, senior staff, and relevant parliamentary stakeholders.
• Ensure tight alignment with the National Policy team: translate national positions into regional narratives, surface Federal States insights for federal advocacy, and prevent fragmentation of messages and positions.
• Apply strong political judgement and engage credibly up to minister level in bilaterals, roundtables, and strategic dialogues.
• Monitor developments, drive prioritisation, ensure decision transparency, and provide regular updates to Policy and senior leadership.
• Drive cross-functional orchestration across Market Access, Communications, Business Units, Medical, Patient Engagement, and New Products.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Government Affairs and/or political institutions, ministries, or parliamentary processes.
• Strategic acumen linking federal states and national policy dynamics to business priorities.
• High political sensitivity and integrity, combined with sound judgement and discretion.
• Ability to translate complexity into actionable guidance.
• Excellent communication skills, including structured writing and executive-level briefing capabilities.
• Fluent in German and English, both written and spoken.
• Willingness to travel regularly within Germany for stakeholder engagement, roundtables, and site visits.

Requirements

• Proven exposure to federal states politics in Germany.
• Strong matrix leadership and stakeholder orchestration skills.
• People with severe disabilities and their equivalents will be given preference if they are equally qualified.

Benefits

• Adaptability
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Communication Coordination
• Cost Forecasting
• EHS Program Management
• Environmental Policy
• Environmental Research
• Laboratory Compliance
• Media Communications
• Policy Implementation
• Project Management
• Public Relations (PR) Management
• Public Speaking
• Regulatory Compliance
• Teamwork