We are hiring for a Head of Public Affairs to join and lead a team of experienced public affairs specialists to drive all aspects of public affairs work, providing a dedicated in-house parliamentary and policy resource and to counsel senior leaders.
This key role will contribute to deeply integrated campaigns that help ensure every eligible patient has the right to access a Roche medicine, by shaping the external environment.
This highly visible role reports directly to the Director of Communications, developing cross-portfolio PA strategies while leading a team of four who provide PA support across Roche’s franchises. The Head of Public Affairs is responsible for developing integrated ethical campaigns, keeping the interests and rights of the patient at the heart of all activities and shaping the external environment while working closely with policy makers, the public, public relations colleagues, and the senior management team.
Duties and responsibilities include:
- Leading a high performance public policy team, supporting their development and working with them to achieve their career ambitions;
- Coaching the team in effective business planning and tactical delivery across franchises;
- Setting public policy strategy for Roche, including addressing major market access barriers;
- Championing compliance with PMCPA and MHRA regulatory requirements in all we do;
- Providing analysis of external changes and trends;
- Selecting, appointing and managing external public affairs advisers;
- Communicating Roche key messages effectively and consistently to external audiences; act as corporate spokesperson on issues relating to products, healthcare policy and organisational developments;
- Ensuring appropriate assignment of responsibilities and resourcing to PA activities, including recruitment and retention strategies.
About you:
- You hold a degree and possibly a postgraduate qualification in a relevant field (politics, history, economics, public policy, etc) along with extensive experience in government affairs or policy. Knowledge of the healthcare industry, whilst not essential, is beneficial;
- You can demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Westminster and policymaking machinery, particularly an understanding of points of influence and partnership;
- To be successful in this role, you will need a background in planning and executing integrated campaigns, to be passionate about leadership and development, manage budgets well and demonstrate strategic agility;
- Clear written and oral communication skills are a must and, as the Head of Public Affairs, being an ethical and credible ambassador for the company is essential.