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Director, Government Affairs

Edwards Lifesciences

Washington, DCFull-time$159–226K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$159–226K/yr
Location
Washington, DC
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive focuses on jobs in the United States, including remote roles you can work from there.

Job overview

The Director, Government Affairs – Federal executes established advocacy strategies and represents Edwards Lifesciences before Congress and Washington stakeholders as a registered federal lobbyist. The role focuses on direct lobbying, relationship development, political intelligence, and political engagement. It is based on-site in the company’s Washington, DC office and works within policy positions set by Government Affairs leadership and internal subject-matter experts.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Federal Government Affairs, requiredLobbying, requiredCongressional Affairs, requiredCampaigns, requiredCapitol Hill Experience, nice to haveBipartisan Relationship Building, nice to haveCongressional Processes, nice to havePolicy Communication, nice to havePolitical Judgment, nice to haveInterpersonal Skills, nice to haveDiscretion, nice to haveWritten Communication, nice to haveVerbal Communication, nice to haveSchedule Management, nice to haveLobbying Disclosure Act Compliance, nice to haveCampaign-Finance Compliance, nice to haveCongressional Ethics Compliance, nice to have

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Related Field, required12 Years With Bachelor's or 10 Years With Master's Relevant Experience, requiredCapitol Hill or Government Affairs Experience, nice to have

Full job description

USA Wash DC-601 Thirteenth NW

Full time

Req-52239

Director, Government Affairs

Position Summary: The Director, Government Affairs - Federal is a member of the federal Government Affairs team responsible for executing the company's advocacy strategy on Capitol Hill. The Director serves as a registered federal lobbyist and represents the company before Members of Congress, congressional staff, and other Washington stakeholders. Working within strategies and policy positions established by Government Affairs leadership and internal subject-matter experts, the Director focuses on direct lobbying, relationship development, political intelligence, and political engagement, including attendance at political fundraising events.

How you will make an impact:

  • Execute established federal legislative and advocacy strategies through direct engagement with Members of Congress and congressional staff.

  • Serve as one of the company's registered federal lobbyists and maintain a regular, visible presence on Capitol Hill.

  • Communicate approved company policy positions clearly and persuasively, tailoring messages to individual Members, committees, and staff.

  • Build and maintain relationships with congressional offices and committees relevant to healthcare, Medicare, FDA, patient access, innovation, tax, trade, and other company priorities.

  • Identify potential congressional champions and supporters, conduct sustained follow-up, and help advance agreed-upon legislative objectives.

  • Monitor congressional activity and provide timely political intelligence on legislation, hearings, stakeholder positions, personnel changes, and emerging risks or opportunities.

  • Attend political fundraising events, receptions, PAC events, and other political activities on behalf of the company, consistent with applicable law and company policy.

  • Support execution of the company's political engagement and PAC strategy as directed by Government Affairs leadership.

  • Work with internal policy and subject-matter experts to understand approved positions and accurately represent them externally.

  • Maintain accurate lobbying activity records and provide timely information for Lobbying Disclosure Act and related compliance reporting.

This is an on-site position based in our Washington, DC office

What you will need (required):

  • Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, government, business, healthcare, or a related field.

  • Minimum 12 years with Bachelor’s degree or 10 years with Master’s degree of relevant experience in federal government affairs, lobbying, congressional affairs, campaigns, or a related Washington role or equivalent work experience based on Edwards criteria Required

What else we look for (preferred):

  • Experience on Capitol Hill, in a corporate Government Affairs office, trade association, lobbying firm, political organization, or comparable environment.

  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress and congressional staff.

  • Strong understanding of Congress, including legislative and committee processes and the political dynamics that influence policymaking.

  • Ability to understand complex policy issues and communicate established company positions clearly and persuasively.

  • Strong political judgment, interpersonal skills, discretion, and written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to manage an active external schedule, including periodic evening political and stakeholder events.

  • Commitment to compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, campaign-finance requirements, congressional ethics rules, and company policies.

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 $159,000 to $226,000(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.

Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. Through breakthrough technologies, world-class evidence and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees are inspired by our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovations to those who need them most.

How this job compares

Set against the 353 open Government Affairs jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 13, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$159–226K/yr
  • Washington, D.C. median$159–226K/yr103 salary ranges
  • US median$152–210K/yr292 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $193K, is close to the Washington, D.C. median midpoint ($195K) — in the middle half of Government Affairs salary ranges in Washington, D.C..

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 115 open Government Affairs jobs in Washington, D.C. and 353 across the US. 15% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Washington, D.C.
Experience
This posting asks for at least 10 years of experience; Government Affairs postings that state a minimum ask for 10 years at the median (315 postings).
Education
183 of the 353 open Government Affairs jobs (52%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 13, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.

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