Government Affairs & Patient Advocacy Manager / Senior Manager

Typical Accountabilities:

• Policy Monitoring & Analysis: Continuously monitor and analyze healthcare policies, regulatory developments, and legislative initiatives at national and regional levels that impact the pharmaceutical industry and the company’s business objectives.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key government bodies, regulatory authorities, health ministries, and policy influencers to advocate for policies that support patient access and innovation.

• Strategic Advocacy Planning: Develop and implement government affairs strategies that align with the company’s objectives, ensuring proactive engagement in policy discussions and positioning the company as a credible industry voice.

• Representation: Represent the company in industry associations, working groups, and public policy forums to advocate for sector interests and contribute to policy shaping.

• Advocacy Strategy Development: Design and implement patient advocacy strategies in alignment with therapeutic area priorities, focusing on enhancing patient support, access, and awareness.

• Work closely with Patient Associations/Groups to advocate and elevate the healthcare ecosystem and innovative medicine access

• Prepares briefs and other documents aimed at advocating government and policy developments and channels these through a network of public sector contacts

• Relationship Management: Build and sustain partnerships with patient advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to identify unmet needs and develop collaborative initiatives.

• Access and Education Programs: Support the development and implementation of programs aimed at improving patient access to treatment, disease awareness, and adherence support, in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• Ethical Compliance: Ensure all advocacy and engagement activities are conducted in compliance with applicable laws, codes of conduct, and internal company policies.

• Cross-functional Coordination: Work closely with internal teams, including Market Access, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Communications, and Commercial, to ensure alignment and integration of government affairs and patient advocacy strategies.

• Reporting & Documentation: Prepare regular reports, briefings, and strategic updates for senior management on policy trends, advocacy activities, and stakeholder engagement outcomes.

• Risk Management: Identify and assess potential policy or advocacy-related risks and provide mitigation strategies in collaboration with Legal and Compliance departments.

• May have some budgetary responsibility
  

Education, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• Essential: A Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Public Health, Communication, or a related field is required.

• A master’s degree in public policy, Health Economics, Business Administration (MBA), Communication, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of relevant experience in government affairs, public policy, health policy, or patient advocacy within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices, or healthcare sector.

• Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, health authorities, regulatory bodies, and patient organizations.

• Proven track record of developing and executing policy and advocacy strategies, preferably in a regulated industry.

• Experience in navigating complex healthcare systems, reimbursement pathways, and policy environments is essential.

• Prior involvement in multi-stakeholder engagement, including industry associations, NGOs, and external advocacy groups.

• Experience managing other employees and leading project teams; Knowledge and experience in managed markets