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

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.