Senior Director, Government Affairs

Senior Director, Government Affairs
Innovation starts from the heart. Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader of patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. With millions of patients served in over 100 countries, each team makes a meaningful contribution by improving patient outcomes and discovering lasting solutions for unmet patient needs. Our Director, Government Affairs position is a unique career opportunity that could be your next step towards an exciting future.
Position Summary:
The Senior Director of Government Affairs will lead high-impact federal advocacy and help shape public policy positions that support Edwards Lifesciences' patient-focused mission, innovation agenda, and business objectives. The role will build and sustain relationships with Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, trade associations, patient organizations, and other stakeholders while translating a changing political, legislative, regulatory, payment, and competitive landscape into clear strategies and actions for the company.
This leader will serve as a trusted counselor to senior executives and a connector across Public Affairs, business units, Legal and Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, Global Health Economics and Reimbursement, Corporate Strategy, Communications, Patient Engagement, and other internal partners. The position requires both strategic judgment and hands-on execution in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment.
How you will make an impact:
Develop and execute a comprehensive, federal government affairs strategy aligned with enterprise priorities and patient access goals.
Build and deepen relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agencies, with particular focus on expanding Edwards' network of credible policy champions.
Monitor and assess legislation, regulation, political developments, and emerging policy proposals affecting medical technology, structural heart innovation, patient access, reimbursement, tax, trade, competition, supply chain, manufacturing, and the broader life sciences ecosystem.
Translate policy developments into concise business implications, options, recommendations, and action plans for senior leadership and cross-functional partners.
Lead the development of policy positions, advocacy materials, executive briefings, hearing and meeting preparation, written comments, coalition strategies, and stakeholder engagement plans.
Represent Edwards before policymakers, trade associations, coalitions, patient and provider organizations, and other external stakeholders, ensuring a consistent and credible company voice.
Coordinate closely with Global Health Economics and Reimbursement colleagues on coverage, payment, and health care delivery priorities, including alignment between policy development and advocacy execution.
Partner with Legal and Compliance to conduct government affairs activities in accordance with lobbying, ethics, political activity, and other applicable requirements.
Support Edwards Political Action Committee strategy and engagement, as appropriate, in partnership with PAC leadership and in compliance with applicable law and company policy.
Lead complex, cross-functional projects from issue identification through execution, measurement, and follow-up; establish clear ownership, timelines, and outcomes.
Develop internal understanding of government affairs priorities by engaging business leaders and subject-matter experts and by providing timely, audience-appropriate updates.
Mentor colleagues and contribute to an inclusive, collaborative, accountable, and high-performing Government Affairs team culture.
This position is on-site, expected to be based in Edwards Lifesciences' Washington, D.C. office.
What you will need (required):
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in government, public policy, political science, health policy, law, business, life sciences, or a related field.
Minimum 14 years experience of previous related experience in state government affairs or equivalent work experience based on Edwards criteria Required and
Other: Experience in all aspects of running a Political Action Committee
Experience in healthcare, with substantial experience in government relations, sales, tendering or pricing, reimbursement function, regulatory in multinational pharmaceutical or medical device companies or equivalent work experience based on Edwards criteria Preferred
What else we look for (preferred):
Advanced degree in public policy, law, health policy, business, or a related discipline.
Substantial progressive experience in federal government affairs, public policy, Congress, the Executive Branch, a trade association, consulting, or a corporate government affairs function, including leadership on complex legislative or regulatory issues.
Demonstrated success developing and executing bipartisan advocacy strategies and building trusted relationships with policymakers and external stakeholders.
Strong understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process and the ability to navigate complex health care and business policy issues.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make complex issues clear, concise, and decision-ready for executive audiences.
Record of sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and compliance in a highly visible external-facing role.
Ability to manage multiple high-stakes priorities, work independently, and deliver results under tight deadlines.
Ability to travel as needed for meetings, events, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience in medical technology, life sciences, health care, or another highly regulated industry.
Established bipartisan network in Washington, D.C., including relationships with congressional committees and federal agencies relevant to health care and business policy.
Knowledge of Medicare coverage and payment, FDA policy, tax, trade, competition, supply chain, manufacturing, and innovation policy relevant to the medical technology sector.
Experience leading coalitions, trade association engagement, grassroots or employee advocacy, and PAC-related activities.
Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.
For Washington D.C., the base pay range for this position is $191,000 -$271,000 (highly experienced).
The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.