Senior Director, Federal Government Affairs
Compasspathways · Washington DC, United States · Posted Jul 6, 2026
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Company introduction:
Compass Pathways plc (Nasdaq: CMPS) is a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health. The Company is headquartered in London, UK, with offices in New York City in the US. We focus on developing novel treatments that have the potential to improve the lives of those who are suffering with mental health conditions and who are not helped by current treatments.
We are pioneering a new paradigm for treating mental health conditions focused on rapid and durable responses through the development of our investigational COMP360 synthetic psilocybin treatment, potentially a first in class treatment. COMP360 has Breakthrough Therapy designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has received Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) designation in the UK for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) due to the pressing unmet need in this area.
We are currently in phase 3 for TRD, have completed phase 2 studies for both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anorexia nervosa and are planning a further late-stage study in PTSD. We envision a world where mental health means not just the absence of illness but the ability to thrive. - Compass Pathways .
Job overview :
The Senior Director, Federal Government Affairs will lead the company's federal Government Affairs strategy to advance policies that improve access to innovative therapies for individuals living with serious mental illness. As the company prepares to commercialize a first-in-class psychedelic medicine, this role will help shape the evolving federal policy landscape surrounding innovative mental health treatments, reimbursement, regulatory policy, and patient access. Reporting to the Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, the Senior Director will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and represent the company before Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, and external stakeholders.
Location: Washington DC area (work from home flexibility).
Reports to: VP, Government Affairs and Public Policy.
Roles and responsibilities
( Include but are not limited to ):
Federal Policy Strategy
Develop and execute a comprehensive federal government affairs strategy aligned with corporate, policy, and commercial objectives
Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, and political developments affecting the company's business, pipeline, and growth strategy
Identify emerging policy opportunities and risks and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership
Federal Advocacy and External Engagement
Build and maintain trusted relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agency leadership, and key policymakers
Represent Compass Pathways before federal government stakeholders and effectively communicate company priorities and perspectives
Serve as a strategic advisor to internal leadership on federal healthcare policy developments
Mental Health and Healthcare Policy Leadership
Lead the company's federal policy efforts on issues affecting access to innovative treatments for serious mental illness, including:
Medicare and Medicaid coverage and reimbursement
CMS coding, payment, and coverage policy
Medicare Part B and Part D reimbursement
Mental and behavioral health policy
Drug pricing and healthcare payment policy
Controlled substances regulation and DEA scheduling
Develop policy positions and advocacy strategies that support patient access and commercial success
Commercial Launch Readiness
Partner closely with Market Access, Commercial, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Clinical Development, Legal, and Health Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR) teams to ensure federal policy and reimbursement strategies support product development, approval, launch, and commercialization
Help shape policy environments that facilitate adoption and access for future therapies
Coalition Building and Stakeholder Engagement
In collaboration with Advocacy and External Affairs colleagues, cultivate strategic relationships with patient advocacy organizations, provider societies, veterans' groups, health policy coalitions, and trade associations
Identify opportunities to build external support for policy priorities and advance shared objectives across the healthcare ecosystem
External Resource Management and Compliance
Manage external lobbying firms, policy consultants, and trade association engagements as appropriate
Ensure all lobbying activities, political engagement, and interactions with government officials comply with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and industry ethical standards
Candidate Profile:
Required
12+ years of progressively responsible experience in federal government affairs, healthcare policy, congressional affairs, or related fields
Significant experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or life sciences sectors
Deep understanding of:
Congressional …