Head of Government Affairs

Job Title: Head of Government Affairs

Location: Remote

Position Type: Full Time

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Company Description: 

Latigo Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel, non-opioid therapies for the treatment of pain. Our approach is grounded in human biology and focused on targeting the fundamental mechanisms of pain signaling to deliver effective, well-tolerated therapies without the risks associated with opioids. With multiple programs advancing across clinical development, Latigo is committed to transforming the treatment paradigm for patients suffering from acute and chronic pain.

Position Description: 

The Head of Government Affairs will establish and lead Latigo’s government affairs function, serving as the company’s primary strategic interface with federal, state, and relevant international policymakers and regulatory stakeholders. This individual will develop and execute a comprehensive government affairs strategy aligned with Latigo’s scientific, clinical, and commercial objectives, with a particular focus on pain management, public health policy, drug development, and innovation.

This is a highly visible, externally facing leadership role requiring deep expertise in healthcare policy, strong relationships across government and industry, and the ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a fast-paced, clinical-stage biotechnology environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead Latigo’s overall government affairs strategy, aligned with corporate objectives, clinical development priorities, and long-term commercialization plans.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team on public policy trends, legislative developments, and regulatory issues impacting drug development, pain management, and biotechnology innovation.
• Build Latigo’s external presence and credibility with policymakers, government agencies, and industry coalitions.

Government & Policy Engagement

• Lead engagement with federal and state legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and relevant public health organizations.
• Monitor, analyze, and proactively respond to legislative and regulatory developments affecting Latigo’s programs and the broader pain and neuroscience landscape.
• Advocate for policies that support innovation in non‑opioid pain therapeutics, clinical research, and patient access.

Coalitions & External Partnerships

• Represent Latigo in industry associations, trade groups, and public private partnerships.
• Develop and manage relationships with key external stakeholders, including advocacy organizations, think tanks, and policy influencers.
• Coordinate messaging and positioning in collaboration with external advisors and consultants as needed.

Patient Advocacy & External Engagement

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with patient advocacy organizations, foundations, and community groups relevant to acute and chronic pain management and opioid misuse.
• Serve as a strategic liaison between Latigo and patient advocacy stakeholders to ensure patient perspectives inform public policy priorities, research initiatives, and external engagement efforts.
• Collaborate with Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, and Regulatory teams to align patient advocacy engagement with Latigo’s scientific and clinical programs.
• Partner with advocacy groups to support education, awareness, and policy initiatives that advance patient access to innovative, non‑opioid pain therapies.
• Ensure patient advocacy activities are conducted ethically, compliantly, and in alignment with applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Represent Latigo at advocacy meetings, forums, and events, articulating the company’s mission and commitment to addressing unmet patient needs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Legal, Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment of policy strategy with scientific and clinical priorities.
• Support internal teams by translating complex policy and regulatory issues into clear business implications and recommendations.

Communications & Advocacy

• Contribute to the development of policy related communications, position papers, and briefing materials.
• Prepare executives for meetings with policymakers and external stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent, compliant, and effective messaging across all government-facing activities.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (e.g., JD, MPH, MPP, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in government affairs, public policy, or regulatory advocacy within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with U.S. federal and/or state policymakers and regulatory agencies.
• Strong understanding of healthcare policy, drug development, and the biotechnology innovation ecosystem.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in pain management, neuroscience, public health, or related therapeutic areas.
• Prior experience building or scaling a government affairs function in a growth stage organization.
• Established network of relationships across relevant government, policy, and industry stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex topics for diverse audiences.
• Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on, execution-oriented approach.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, resource-lean, and highly collaborative environment.

Why Join Latigo

• Opportunity to build and shape the government affairs function at a company developing a new class of non‑opioid pain therapeutics.
• High‑impact role influencing public policy at the intersection of science, medicine, and patient care.
• Collaborative, mission‑driven culture focused on improving outcomes for patients with significant unmet needs.