Executive Director Policy, Strategic Market Initiatives & Therapeutic Areas
Position Overview
We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Executive Director to work closely with the Associate Vice President (AVP), Europe & Canada Hub Leader, to lead and advise its Public Policy efforts in two ways.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy and Execution
* Supports public policy strategic initiatives across the region, particularly in response to a changing and challenging operating environment landscape. Together with the AVP, shapes and aligns strategy, policy positions and action plans for priority products and high-impact policy issues including with Policy Leads in key markets.
* Ensures alignment and coordination with Global Public Policy colleagues for selected therapeutic areas and shares important market insights to shape the global strategy.
* Leads policy prioritization and planning efforts, including impact tracking, policy analysis and preparation of executive briefing materials.
* Partners with the AVP, his Leadership Team and Policy Heads in specific markets to craft clear public policy positions and strategic "asks" for use by senior leaders and spokespeople.
* Advocates the Company’s policy positions with EU institutions and organizations, either directly or through coordination with internal teams, while aligning national-level efforts with broader EU advocacy, including engagement with EFPIA and Brussels-based stakeholders.
* Fosters exchange of relevant information among stakeholders, builds alliances and consensus around processes and resources to drive towards common objectives.
* Collaborates cross-functionally with internal teams, including brand, market planning, regulatory, clinical research and corporate affairs, to deliver integrated, high-impact policy initiatives.
Organizational Leadership
* Supports the development of policy capabilities and talent across the region.
* Collaborates with Policy Heads in specific markets to guide and activate the Company’s European policy network, serving as a catalyst for change aligned with business priorities.
* Focuses on core competencies needed in policy teams, sharing best practices, training and addressing gaps.
* Facilitates effective interactions within the Europe & Canada Hub and other internal divisions including global therapeutic area policy to ensure alignment and integration.
* Builds relationships internally and externally that promote learning, obtain results and strengthen alliances with other internal functions.
* Engages with and advises internal and external business partners with differing expectations and objectives.
Environmental Analysis and Networking
* Continuously monitors policy and legislative developments in key markets and EU institutions, anticipating emerging issues, sharing insights with business leadership cross-functionally and identifying opportunities to shape the external environment in alignment with company product portfolio and product pipeline.
* Anticipates and evaluates future market needs and trends related to policy priorities in collaboration with relevant internal colleagues (e.g. Market Access, Regulatory affairs, key markets and Global Public Policy).
* Establishes and maintains a broad network of relationships with key stakeholders in national markets both within and outside the Company.
Job Dimensions
* This office-based role involves regional travel and may include occasional visits to global HQ. Work location is the Company’s Brussels Policy office in Belgium (Rue du Commerce 31).
Experience and Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree required; Higher-level degree candidates preferred.
* Extensive experience in public policy or government affairs within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, with proven experience in therapeutic areas. This experience should include the EU and/or key launch markets; proven ability to influence policy and legislative processes nationally and/or regionally.
* Strong hands‑on cross‑functional leader with deep knowledge of the Company’s therapeutic areas, pipeline and portfolio (internal candidates) or similar experience in another pharmaceutical company (external candidates); experienced in aligning patient‑centric strategies with business priorities.
* Demonstrated ability to balance depth with altitude—setting direction, shaping strategy, and navigating political complexity—rather than operating primarily at detailed or transactional level.
* Strong people‑management skills and experience, ability to inspire and lead transformation initiatives, as well as achieve results, influence with and without authority, and contribute toward a common agenda with defined action.
* Experience working across culturally diverse and matrixed teams with a high degree of collaboration. Success in this role depends on a collaborative leadership style, grounded in trust, integrity, professionalism, sound judgment and diplomacy. The ability to flex and provide cover for peers in an established leadership team with a partnership‑driven approach is essential.
* Skilled in policy and communications, including strategic planning, prioritization, stakeholder engagement and change management.
* Ability to master complex policy, regulatory and legislative issues, think creatively and develop innovative strategies and solutions.
* Strategic partner to senior leadership, combining operational execution with a strong business and outcomes‑driven mindset.
* Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility, advocate internally and externally, and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
* Proven ability to lead in dynamic environments, with strong project management skills, agility, and a solution‑oriented, global perspective.
* Self‑starter with innovative spirit, highly effective at proactively identifying policy risks and opportunities and identifying new ways to address policy challenges.
* Fluent in English (written and verbal); additional language proficiency relevant to Europe & Canada markets is an asset.
Required Skills
* Coalition Management
* Government Relations
* Health Equity
* Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
* Legislative Issues
* Media Relations
* People Leadership
* Policy Development
* Public Health Policy Development
* Public Policy Analysis
* Public Relations (PR) Management
* Public Speaking
* Regulatory Development
* Results‑Oriented
* Strategic Planning
Preferred Skills
* None specified.
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