Director, Pharmacy and Prescription Drug Advocacy

JOB SUMMARY
Develops and advances public policy positions and advocacy strategies on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and prescription drug issues, including affordability, drug pricing, pharmacy access, specialty medicines, and related health policy matters. This Washington, D.C.-based role is designed for a policy professional with strong knowledge of the congressional and agency environment, established relationships across the health policy community, and the ability to translate policy developments into practical advocacy and business strategies.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Cigna and its subsidiaries are health services providers with market-leading solutions in affordability, predictability, and simplicity for clients and customers. Reporting to the Senior Counsel, Rapid Response Policy, this Principal-level position develops and articulates Cigna’s public policy positions and proposed solutions for PBM and prescription drug issues. The role works closely with government affairs, policy, legal, clinical, business, analytics, and communications partners to advance practical solutions that improve affordability, access, quality, competition, and patient outcomes.
As an individual contributor, the Principal will serve as a visible, credible policy partner in Washington, D.C., helping shape strategy, build support for policy priorities, and respond quickly to legislative and regulatory developments.
Issues in the portfolio include:
Prescription drug affordability, pricing, transparency, and supply-chain policy
PBM regulation, contracting, compensation, reporting, and oversight
Retail, mail-order, community, and specialty pharmacy policy, including network access and reimbursement
Specialty medicines, biosimilars, gene and cell therapies, limited-distribution drugs, and related access and affordability issues
Key responsibilities include:
Build and maintain productive relationships with congressional staff, agency stakeholders, trade associations, coalitions, and other health policy leaders in Washington, D.C.
Represent and communicate the organization’s policy positions in meetings, briefings, coalitions, and other external engagements.
Track and assess consequential legislative, regulatory, and political developments affecting PBMs, pharmacies, prescription drugs, and the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Translate policy proposals into clear business, client, patient, operational, and market implications.
Develop practical policy recommendations, advocacy strategies, messaging, executive talking points, issue briefs, presentations, comment letters, and proposed legislative language.
Partner with government affairs colleagues to identify opportunities, risks, key stakeholders, and effective paths to advance policy priorities.
Support enterprise positions on PBM transparency and compensation, pharmacy networks and reimbursement, patient affordability, prescription drug spending, and specialty pharmacy.
Coordinate rapid, cross-functional responses to legislation, regulations, guidance, hearings, amendments, and other emerging developments.
Provide concise, timely updates and recommendations to senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 7+ years of relevant experience in public policy, government affairs, legislative affairs, health care, law, regulation, or the PBM and prescription drug sector.
Meaningful experience working on Capitol Hill, with a congressional committee, in an executive branch agency, or in a Washington, D.C.-based government affairs or advocacy role.
Strong understanding of congressional and agency processes, stakeholder dynamics, and the political environment affecting health care policy.
Established relationships across the Washington, D.C. health policy community, with the judgment and credibility to engage senior internal and external stakeholders.
Knowledge of prescription drug markets, PBM operations, pharmacy services, drug-pricing policy, and the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Demonstrated ability to influence, build coalitions, develop advocacy strategies, and move policy priorities forward.
Ability to quickly interpret complex developments and identify strategic, operational, reputational, and market implications.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including concise executive-level messaging and persuasive advocacy materials.
Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in a fast-moving environment.
Collaborative style and ability to work effectively with business, clinical, legal, analytics, communications, and government affairs partners.
Bachelor’s degree required. A JD, MBA, or master’s degree in public health, health policy, public administration, or a related field is preferred.
Must be located in DC office 3 days a week.
PREFERRED BACKGROUND
Experience handling prescription drug, PBM, pharmacy, Medicare, Medicaid, or broader health care policy issues in Washington, D.C.
Experience engaging congressional offices, committees, agencies, trade associations, coalitions, or health care industry stakeholders.
Experience developing policy positions, advocacy strategies, legislative language, executive briefings, testimony, or regulatory comments.
If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.
For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 154,200 - 257,000 USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.
This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus and long term incentive plan.
At The Cigna Group, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you’ll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k), company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year, paid holidays, and leaves of absence. For more details on our employee benefits programs, click here.
About The Cigna Group
Doing something meaningful starts with a simple decision, a commitment to changing lives. At The Cigna Group, we’re dedicated to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. Through our divisions Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients, customers and patients. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the online application process, please email seeyourself@thecignagroup.com for assistance. Please note that this email inbox is dedicated to accommodation requests only and cannot provide application updates or accept resumes.
The Cigna Group has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State.
Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.