MAPS – Position: State Government Affairs Lead – Remote

About MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC)

MAPS PBC is pioneering new forms of mental health care, beginning with the development of MDMA-assisted therapy as an FDA-approved treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  MDMA-assisted therapy is a new paradigm in the treatment of mental health, combining a medicine with psychotherapy to address the root causes of PTSD. It has been designated a Breakthrough Therapy by the FDA and the results of our pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial were published in Nature Medicine and profiled on the front page of The New York Times.

MAPS PBC is a Public Benefit Corporation, with a dual mandate to generate shareholder value and public benefit. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit working for over three decades to develop medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from psychedelics. We are committed to continuing to lead the field of psychedelic medicine with integrity and ethics at the core.

Why work for MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC)?

• We are a diverse team that shares a deep belief in the critical need for innovation and expanded access in the treatment of mental health conditions.
• We are entrepreneurial, collaborative, and open-minded in how we approach our innovative work.
• We are a new kind of pharmaceutical company that prioritizes public benefit over profit and is committed to sustainability, accountability, and transparency.

We believe in diversity and inclusion of people of all backgrounds, genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds, military and veteran status, religions, abilities, and perspectives. MAPS PBC values and seeks applicants who are people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people. MAPS PBC strives to establish a supportive, equitable and accessible work environment.

Executive Summary

The State Government Affairs Lead will oversee MAPS PBC’s policy efforts at the state level. Most importantly, you will be responsible for the dynamic work of ensuring state-level legal access to FDA-approved psychedelic medications, beginning with MDMA for the treatment of PTSD. You will work across all 50 states, starting with ~20 states prioritized for 2022, and lead the advocacy, legislative and regulatory work within each state.

Key Responsibilities

• Determine existing state laws and regulations, as they pertain to the scheduling, legalization and commercialization of controlled substances.
• Pursue necessary administrative/regulatory actions or legislation to ensure an FDA-approved product containing a current schedule I substance can be dispensed for appropriate patients.
• Execute legislative and regulatory lobbying strategies before state governments to address identified business challenges. Identify, contract, and oversee lobbying partners as needed.
• Build out political engagement plan in strategic markets (state and federal), including relationship development with governors and legislative leadership. Introduce MAPS PBC to local, state, and federal leaders to build positive relationships prior to and throughout market introduction.
• Act as a liaison to both Washington, DC-based and state-based government, trade and political organizations.
• Build coalitions with organizations and leaders in the psychedelic advocacy community.
• Inform and engage organizational leadership in relevant policy and political developments at the state level and how they impact MAPS PBC’s business and public benefit objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• 8 years of political or government affairs experience, including experience hiring and managing lobbyists
• Experience in healthcare, mental health, or pharmaceutical/biotech industry required
• Extensive expertise in state legislative processes, procedures, and timelines. Experience in multiple state environments and demonstrated ability to learn and work quickly in new ones
• Demonstrated ability to master new policy issues and communicate accurately and persuasively to external stakeholders
• Education – Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent professional experience)

MAPS PBC is a distributed team that uses technology and periodic in-person gatherings to stay connected. We look for people who are comfortable with and skilled at remote work and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Competitive benefit package includes

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick Time
• Holiday Pay
• Employer paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (100% covered for employees + 50% for dependents)
• Employer funded mental health HRA
• Employer funded SEP-IRA
• FSA/Dependent Care
• Pet Insurance
• Home Office Stipend
• Wellness Wednesday/Journal Club/Yoga/Meditation and so much more!